Bracelet/Strap Changing Guide

How to Change a Watch Strap: Removing a Bracelet and Fitting a Leather Strap

This brief guide shows you how to remove your bracelet and fit a conventional straight-ended watch strap.

Not sure what size strap you need? Read our lug width measuring guide first.

Tools laid out for changing a watch strap: a spring bar tool, a small screwdriver and a soft cloth

What You'll Need

Spring bar tool
1.4mm or 1.6mm screwdriver
A soft cloth to lay your watch on

Tip: Keep all of the parts that you remove from your watch in a very safe place — small spring bars and links are easy to lose.

Step 1: Open the Bracelet

Compressing the spring bar inside the clasp with a spring bar tool to open the bracelet

Removing the bracelet is much easier if you open it up first. You can either remove the spring bar holding the clasp together, or detach a link from the bracelet itself. Use your spring bar tool to compress the spring bar — once compressed, it should release from the clasp.

An opened bracelet laid flat, showing easier access to the spring bars at the lugs

With the bracelet open, you can access the spring bars at the lugs much more easily, significantly reducing the risk of damaging your watch.

Step 2: Protect the Lugs

Protective tape applied to the watch lugs and case to prevent scratches during strap removal

Before going any further, we recommend taping the watch's lugs. A small piece of low-tack tape protects the case from accidental scratches if the spring bar tool slips while you're working.

Step 3: Remove the Bracelet

The forked end of a spring bar tool compressing the spring bar between the lugs

Locate the forked end of your spring bar tool on the spring bar inside the bracelet. Once it's seated, compress the spring bar inwards — it should release from the hole in the lug. Repeat on the other side, and the bracelet will come away from between the lugs.

The watch case with the bracelet removed, showing the two spring bar holes inside the lugs

Once the bracelet is off, you should be left with just the watch head. Look closely at the inside of each lug — you'll see two small holes. These are where the spring bars on your new strap will locate.

Step 4: Fit the New Strap

Inserting a new spring bar into the leather strap and aligning it with one lug hole

Re-apply the protective tape if you removed it. Insert your new spring bars into the strap and locate one end of the spring bar into one of the holes on the lug, making sure the strap is the right way up. Attach the holed length of the strap at the 6 o'clock position and the buckle length at the 12 o'clock position.

Compressing the second end of the spring bar with the tool to seat it into the opposite lug hole

With one end of the spring bar in the lug, compress the other end with the forked tip of your spring bar tool. Guide it into the opposite hole — you'll usually hear a faint click as it seats. Give the strap a gentle tug to confirm both ends of the spring bar are properly located.

The first half of the leather strap fitted to the watch, ready to repeat the process on the other side

Repeat the same process for the other strap length.

You're Done

The completed watch on a leather strap, fully fitted and ready to wear

Congratulations — you've successfully fitted a new strap to your watch. If you run into any trouble, our team is always happy to help. Get in touch, and we'll talk you through it.