How to Change a Watch Strap: A Step-by-Step Guide

Changing a watch strap takes about five minutes

You do not need to visit a jeweller. With one cheap tool and a little care, swapping a leather watch strap is one of the easiest things you can do to change how a watch looks.

What you need

A spring bar tool — a small metal tool with a forked end. Under five pounds and worth every penny.
A soft cloth or mousemat — to rest the watch on so you do not scratch the case or crystal.
Your new strap, in the correct lug width. Not sure? See our watch strap size guide.

In a pinch, a small flathead screwdriver works, but the risk of slipping and scratching the case is much higher. A proper tool is the safer choice.

Step 1: Understand the spring bar

A spring bar is a small spring-loaded metal pin that sits between the lugs and passes through a loop in the strap. Pressing the ends inward compresses the spring and releases the bar from the lug holes.

Step 2: Remove the old strap

Turn the watch face down on your cloth.
Slide the forked end of the spring bar tool into the gap between the strap and the inside of one lug.
Locate the shoulder of the spring bar with the fork and press it gently inward, toward the centre of the watch.
While holding the pressure, lift that side of the strap away from the lug. The spring bar should pop free.
Repeat on the other side of the same strap, then do the second strap half.

Work steadily. If the bar will not move, you have probably not seated the fork on the shoulder properly — reposition rather than forcing it.

Step 3: Fit the new strap

Thread the spring bar through the loop at the end of your new strap. The short half with the buckle goes at the 12 o clock side.
Insert one end of the spring bar into its lug hole.
Use the tool to compress the other end of the bar, and slide it into position in the opposite lug hole.
Release and give the strap a firm tug. It should not budge. If it moves, the bar is not fully seated — take it out and try again.

Step 4: Check before you wear it

Tug each half of the strap firmly. A spring bar that is only partly seated will hold for a day and then drop your watch on a hard floor. This check takes two seconds and is the most important step.

Common mistakes

Wrong lug width. A 20mm strap will not fit 22mm lugs. Measure first.
Scratching the lugs. Always work with the watch resting on something soft, and keep the tool angled away from the case.
Reusing bent spring bars. If a bar looks bent or the spring feels weak, replace it. Most of our straps ship with a fresh pair.
Buckle on the wrong side. The buckle half goes at the top so the tail tucks down and away.

A note on integrated and proprietary straps

Some watches — certain Tissot PRX models, Apple Watch, and many Garmin and Fitbit devices — use integrated or proprietary fittings rather than standard spring bars. These will not accept a normal leather strap without an adapter. If your current strap does not have two visible bars between the lugs, check compatibility before ordering.