Easy Guide: How to Install a Watch Band Yourself

by Thomas Jentzsch on | Reading time: 5 mins

Installing a watch band can give your timepiece a fresh look. Follow this easy guide to learn how to install a watch band yourself.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prepare a sturdy and level workspace with a soft pad and tape to avoid scratching the watch.
  • Use a spring bar tool or a small flathead screwdriver to remove and install different types of watch bands.
  • For leather, nylon, canvas, or rubber two-piece straps, depress and remove the spring bars to detach the band from the lugs.
  • For metal bracelets or expansion watch bands, remove the spring bars from the clasp and lugs to slide the band out of the watch case.
  • For watches with drilled lugs, push the spring-loaded end of the spring bar out of the lug hole to remove the strap.
  • For watches without drilled lugs, use the fork-shaped end of the spring bar tool to catch and release the spring bars.
  • Ensure a clean work surface and be cautious not to scratch the watch or lose the spring bars during the installation process.

Steps to Install a Watch Band

Follow these steps to successfully remove and install different types of watch bands, including leather, nylon, canvas, rubber, metal bracelets, NATO straps, and pull-through straps.

To install a watch band yourself, you will need a spring bar tool or a small flathead screwdriver, a non-abrasive cloth or towel, and masking tape or painter’s tape. Start by setting up your workspace on a sturdy and level surface. Lay down a soft pad to protect the watch and use tape to cover the lug ends to avoid scratching.

If you want to remove a leather, nylon, canvas, or rubber two-piece strap, place the watch face-down on the pad. Use the spring bar tool or screwdriver to depress and remove the spring bars from the lugs. Gently pull the strap pieces out of the watch case. To install a new strap, slide the spring bars into the holes on the strap ends and place one end into a lug hole. Depress the other end of the spring bar and slide it into the lug hole. Repeat the process for the other strap piece.

For a metal bracelet or expansion watch band, remove the spring bars from the clasp if necessary. Use the spring bar tool to depress and remove the spring bars from the lugs. Slide the band out of the watch case. To install a new band, slide the spring bars into the band ends and insert one end into a lug hole. Depress the other end of the spring bar and slide it into the lug hole. Repeat for the other side. Attach the clasp back together if needed.

If your watch has drilled lugs, you can remove the strap by pushing the spring-loaded end of the spring bar out of the lug hole using a pointy tool. The process is similar for affixing a strap, but you may need to remove the spring bars to thread a NATO or pull-through strap. Be cautious to not scratch the watch while removing or affixing the strap.

For watches without drilled lugs, use the fork-shaped end of the spring bar tool to catch the spring bars between the strap and the lug. Pull the spring-loaded section towards yourself to release it from the case, then pull up slightly to remove the bar from the watch. Repeat for the other side. When affixing a new strap, use the forked end of the tool to depress one side of the spring bar and slide it into the lug. Repeat for the other side.

Ensure you have a clean work surface and take caution to not scratch the watch or lose the spring bars. With these steps, you can easily install a watch band yourself.

FAQ

What tools do I need to install a watch band myself?

You will need a spring bar tool or a small flathead screwdriver, a non-abrasive cloth or towel, and masking tape or painter's tape.

How do I remove and install a two-piece strap?

Place the watch face-down on a soft pad, depress and remove the spring bars from the lugs, gently pull the strap pieces out of the watch case, slide the spring bars into the holes on the strap ends, and place one end into a lug hole. Repeat for the other strap piece.

How do I remove and install a metal bracelet or expansion watch band?

Remove the spring bars from the clasp if necessary, depress and remove the spring bars from the lugs, slide the band out of the watch case, slide the spring bars into the band ends, insert one end into a lug hole, depress the other end of the spring bar, and slide it into the lug hole. Repeat for the other side. Attach the clasp back together if needed.

How do I remove and install a strap on a watch with drilled lugs?

Push the spring-loaded end of the spring bar out of the lug hole using a pointy tool, remove the strap, and to install a new strap, remove the spring bars if necessary, thread a NATO or pull-through strap, and affix the strap by pushing the spring bars into the lug holes.

How do I remove and install a strap on a watch without drilled lugs?

Use the fork-shaped end of the spring bar tool to catch the spring bars between the strap and the lug, pull the spring-loaded section towards yourself to release it from the case, then pull up slightly to remove the bar from the watch. To install a new strap, use the forked end of the tool to depress one side of the spring bar and slide it into the lug. Repeat for the other side.

What precautions should I take when installing a watch band myself?

Ensure you have a clean work surface, take caution to not scratch the watch or lose the spring bars, and use masking tape or painter's tape to cover the lug ends to avoid scratching.

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