How to Fit or Adjust a Watch Strap
Watch straps aren't always one size fits all - sometimes you want to swap out, refit or adjust them. However, we know full well that task can be a little confusing if you've never done it before. But have no fear - we've put together a helpful guide to show you how to fit and adjust a replacement watch strap, from leather and nylon to metal and mesh.
In This Guide
- How to Fit a Watch Strap
- How to Fit a Leather Watch Strap
- How Do You Fit a Standard Spring Bar Watch Strap?
- How to Fit a Quick Release Watch Strap
- Fitting a NATO Watch Strap
- How to Fit a Metal Watch Strap
- How to Adjust a Watch Strap
- How to Shorten a Watch Strap
- How to Adjust a Mesh Watch Strap
- How to Shorten a Pin Link Metal Watch Strap
- How to Shorten a Blade Link Metal Watch Strap
- How to Fit Watch Strap Buckles
- How to Change a Watch Strap Buckle
- How to Fit a Butterfly Clasp on a Watch
How to Fit a Watch Strap
There are a few different ways to fit a watch strap, which we will cover in the guide below. Depending on the material, strap type and other features of your watch or watch strap, you will want to employ different techniques. We've listed a few common materials and types below to help you get started, but please contact us if you can't find the information you need below - we'd be more than happy to assist you.
How to Fit a Leather Watch Strap
We are commonly asked the steps to fitting a leather watch strap - but it depends on the spring bar type. First, you should consider whether your replacement watch strap has standard spring bars or quick release - once you have identified what type of strap you are working with, you will find the relevant sections below.
If you are interested in shortening a leather watch strap by punching additional holes, that information is available further down the guide as well.
Shop our full collection of leather watch straps.
How Do You Fit a Standard Spring Bar Watch Strap?
The steps below apply to fitting leather watch straps, vegan leather watch straps, silicone watch straps, exotic leather watch straps and canvas watch straps.
How to remove a watch strap with standard spring bars:
1. Use the fork end of a spring bar tool between the watch case and the watch strap to compress the spring bar. This will release the watch strap.
The above step would need to be followed for both strap pieces.
How to fit a watch strap with standard spring bars:
The buckle end of the watch strap should be attached to the 12 o’clock side of the watch case.
1. Slot one side of the spring bar into the groove on the case.
2. Use the fork end of a spring bar tool to compress the spring bar. Push the watch strap into place and allow the spring bar to click into the groove.
The above steps would need to be followed for both strap pieces.
3. Check the watch strap is in place by pulling gently.
How to fit a Quick Release Watch Strap
How to remove a watch strap with standard spring bars:
1. Use the fork end of a spring bar tool between the watch case and the watch strap to compress the spring bar. This will release the watch strap.
The above step would need to be followed for both strap pieces.
How to fit a quick release watch strap:
The buckle end of the watch strap should be attached to the 12 o’clock side of the watch case.
1. Slot the side of the spring bar which is away from the lever into the groove on the case.
2. Pull the lever to compress the spring bar. Push the watch strap into place and allow the spring bar to click into the groove.
The above steps would need to be followed for both strap pieces.
3. Check the watch strap is in place by pulling gently.
Shop our full collection of quick release watch straps.
Fitting a NATO Watch Strap
The steps below apply to fitting NATO watch straps.
1. Slide the long strap piece out of the watch strap's loop.
2. Slide the long piece of the watch strap over the spring bars behind the case back of the watch.
3. Slide the long strap piece back through the loop to complete the process.
Shop our full collection of NATO watch straps.
How to Fit a Metal Watch Strap
The steps below apply to fitting metal watch straps.
How to remove a metal watch bracelet:
1. Use the fork end of a spring bar tool to compress the spring bar. This will release one side of the watch strap.
The above step would need to be followed for both ends of the watch bracelet.
How to fit the new metal watch bracelet:
1. Slot one side of the spring bar into the groove on the case.
2. Use the fork end of a spring bar tool to compress the spring bar. Push the watch strap into place and allow the spring bar to click into the groove.
3. Check the watch strap is in place by pulling gently.
The above steps would need to be followed for both strap pieces.
Shop our full collection of metal watch straps.
How to Adjust a Watch Strap
If your watch strap isn't sitting quite right on your wrist, you may need to adjust or shorten it. We've covered fitting NATO watch straps and leather watch straps above - if you didn't find what you're looking for there, read on for our adjustment guide below.
How to Shorten a Watch Strap
The steps below apply to shortening leather watch straps, vegan leather watch straps, silicone watch straps and exotic leather watch straps.
1. Measure the distance between two existing neighbouring holes.
2. Mark this distance from the last hole.
3. Punch hole using watch strap hole punching pliers.
How to Adjust a Mesh Watch Strap
The steps below apply to adjusting mesh metal watch straps.
1. Open the catch and place the fork end of a spring bar tool into the clasp and pry it open.
2. Slide the clasp along the mesh watch band and find the best fit. The clasp needs to be aligned into one of the grooves in the back of the strap for it to be closed correctly.
3. Push the clasp down to secure the clasp’s position.
Shop our full collection of mesh watch straps.
How to Shorten a Pin Link Metal Watch Strap
The steps below apply to shortening pin link metal watch straps.
1. Align the watch bracelet pin link remover with the notch on the bracelet link. The arrow indicates the direction in which the pin needs to be removed. Gently turn the screw of the remover clockwise.
2. Once the bracelet pin is released, remove the link remover and remove the bracelet pin.
The above steps would need to be repeated for all of the links that need to be removed.
3. Line up the two sections of the bracelet that need to be reattached and reinsert the bracelet pin. Use a watchmaker’s hammer to secure the pin.
4. Use the pin on the pin link remover to push the bracelet pin in further.
How to Shorten a Blade Link Metal Watch Strap
The steps below apply to shortening blade link metal watch straps.
1. Using bracelet adjusting pliers insert the round plier end into the notch on a link marked with an arrow. Close the pliers in the direction of the arrow whilst the notched end is against the bracelet. This releases the blade.
2. With tweezers lift out the blade and unhook the two sections of the bracelet.
The above steps would need to be repeated for all of the links that need to be removed.
3. Once the links have been removed, line up the two sections of the bracelet that need to be joined and attach the blade. Use a watchmaker’s hammer to secure the blade into place.
How to Fit Watch Strap Buckles
There are a few types of watch strap buckle, including tang buckles and deployant clasps. Depending on the type of buckle, you will need to follow different steps to fit a replacement. We've included how to change a tang buckle and how to fit a butterfly clasp to a watch below.
How to Change a Watch Strap Buckle
The steps below apply to fitting tang buckles.
How to remove a watch strap buckle:
The following steps would need to be followed for the buckle on the original watch strap and the buckle on the replacement watch strap.
1.Use the fork end of a spring bar tool between the watch strap and buckle to compress the spring bar.
2. Use the point end of a spring bar tool to push out the spring bar. Remove the tongue.
How to fit a watch strap buckle:
1. Place the tongue of the original buckle onto the replacement watch strap. Push the spring bar through.
2. Use a spring bar tool to compress the spring bar on one side. Move the buckle into place allowing the spring bar to click into the groove.
3. Pull gently on the original buckle to ensure it is fitted correctly to the replacement watch strap.
How to Fit a Butterfly Clasp on a Watch
The steps below apply to fitting deployant clasps.
How to remove a standard watch strap buckle:
1.Use the fork end of a spring bar tool between the watch strap and buckle to compress the spring bar.
2. Use the point end of a spring bar tool to push out the spring bar. Remove the tongue.
How to fit a butterfly clasp:
1. Push the spring bar through the buckle end of the watch strap.
2. Place one end of the spring bar into the notch on the deployant clasp.
3. Compress the other end of the spring bar using the fork end of a spring bar tool. Move the buckle into place and allow the spring bar to click into the notch.
4. Open the buckle end of the clasp.
5. Feed through the long piece of the watch strap and push the bar of the buckle through the correct hole of the strap to allow it to fit comfortably on the wrist. Push down and click to ensure the buckle is secure.
Need a little more guidance? If you have any further questions on the fitting of your new watch strap please get in touch with our team.