How to change a Watch Buckle?
How to change a Watch Buckle
Another important useful manoeuvre you should definitely master is how to change a watch buckle.
Now why would we need to master that? If ever we want to change the color of your buckle to match a new timepiece, or perhaps you’d like to use your old vintage Omega buckle on a new strap, or simply because our old buckle is broken…wouldn’t it be nice not needing a watch repairer for this? Besides, if you’ve already unveiled the secrets of changing a strap, this will be a cinch.
What you’ll need:
– a spring bar tool
– a watch buckle
– a watch strap
– and a clean work surface. Of course.
Generally speaking, there are three parts to a watch buckle: the tongue, the frame, and the pin which is an essential piece that holds everything together.
Removing a Watch Buckle
Just like lugs, there are two main types of buckles that you will come across: solid or drilled.
Removing either buckle from a strap is similar to removing a strap from the lugs. Many will find the drilled ones easier to manipulate.
Drilled buckles
Step 1. Place the strap at its side.
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Step 2. With the pinpoint end of your spring bar tool, insert it into the hole. This will depress the pin and release the frame. Be careful not to be too quick. You may send the pin flying.
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Step 3. Now you’re left with the strap, the pin, and the tongue. Remove the pin by pushing it at one side of the bracelet with the pinhead end of your spring bar tool, and removing it at the other side. The movement will also free the tongue.
Solid buckles
Note that our straps are equipped with drilled buckles. The black strap with solid buckle used in this demonstration isn’t made by Joseph Bonnie.
Step 1.. Place the strap flat.
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Step 2. Insert the fork end of your spring bar tool delicately between the strap and the buckle frame.
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Step 3. Nice and easy, search for the ridge on the pin that the fork can grip.
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Step 4. Gently apply pressure inwards towards the strap and away from the frame.
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Step 5. Once you feel that the pin has been depressed, slowly nudge it away from its hole. Same as above, be gentle as you risk losing the pin if not.
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Step 6. Remove the pin with your spring bar tool, the pinhead end of course, in the same way as mentioned above.
Installing a New Watch Buckle
Unlike removing, whether your buckle is drilled or solid it’s the same manoeuvre.
Step 1. Place the strap flat facing down.
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Step 2. Wedge the tongue into its recess at the middle of the strap. Its end tip should be curved upward.
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Step 3. While holding the tongue in place with your finger, glide the pin all the way through the hole of the strap.
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Step 4. Make sure the tongue is at an downward position because it needs to be set below the frame.
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Step 5. Insert one end of the pin into one of the holes on the inside of the frame.
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Step 6. With the forked end of your tool (or with your fingernail), gently push down on the pin so that it may be wedged into the other hole of the frame.
And there you have it ladies and gentlemen!
After the different watch straps, you’ll now also be able to change your watch buckle by yourself whenever you so may desire. And that, my friends, is called freedom, sweet freedom.
For those interested in finding out more about our Rallye-type watch straps, shown here in Military Green, click here.
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