How to Change a Watch Band

Learning how to change a watch band is a cost-effective way to alter your accessories. In many instances watch bands can be replaced relatively easily, but it can be a tricky and awkward job. Once you have mastered replacing the band you can change it to match your outfit, or replace an old band that has seen better days.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Removal - Leather Band

1
Place the watch face down. The first thing to do is remove your watch and place it face down on a folded cloth or towel. Make sure it is on something that will protect the face of your watch and not scratch the glass. Then place this cloth onto a flat surface, such as a table or countertop.
2
Find the spring bar. Once you have got the watch face down, look closely at the area where the watch band connects to the watch itself. The vast majority of watch bands are connected by a spring bar, which passes through a loop or hole in the band and fits into indents on the shoulders of the watch.
- The spring bar is a small metal bar that can be depressed at each end, like a spring.
- When pressure is released the bar extends at each end.
- When fully extended the bar will snap into place in the shoulders or lugs of the watch and hold your strap in place.
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3
Detach the spring bar. To remove the band you need to detach the spring bar. You can do this with a specific tool, known as a spring bar tool.^{[1]
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Research source} If you don't have this tool, you may be able to remove it using a small flat head screwdriver, or something similar. You may also be to remove it without any tools, just by using your hands, but this will be trickier.
- If you have a spring bar tool, insert the pronged fork end between the band and where it connects with the watch shoulders. You can press the bar in from either end.
- Then gently apply pressure on the tool, pushing lightly away from the watch. This should push the spring bar down and release the band.^{[2]
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- You can replicate this with another small tool that fits in the same space, but be careful not to scratch your watch or damage the band.
- If you don't have a tool, you can try using a paperclip to compress one end of the spring bar, and then carefully lever out the band.
4
Remove the spring bars from the band. Once you have detached the band from the watch, slide the spring bar out of the loop in the band and put it to one side. Do this for each half of the band. You may need these bars to attach the new band, so it's important that you don't lose them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Attachment - Leather Band

1
Thread the spring bar through the new band. When you are ready to attach your new watch band, you will basically be going through the same process, but in reverse. Start by carefully threading the spring bars through the loop at the top of each side of the band.
- Your new band may have come with its own spring bars, but you need to make sure these fit the watch.
2
Insert the bottom end of one spring bar into the indent. Take one half of the band, and carefully place the bottom part of the spring bar into the indent in the shoulder, or case lug, of the watch. You are just putting the spring bar back to where it was before you took off the old band.
- Once the bottom end of the spring bar is in the hole, carefully apply pressure downwards on the bar so you can slide the top part into the corresponding indent, or hole.
- You may find it easier to use your tool to compress the spring bar when you are manoeuvring it.^{[3]
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3
Repeat on the other side. Now you just have to repeat this with the other half of the band. Begin by slipping the bottom part of the spring into the small hole in the case lug, and then press down and slide the top part into the opposite hole.
- Listen for a slight clicking sound that indicate the bar is fixed in the place in the hole.
- Once both parts of the band are in, check they are securely positioned and your band is not likely to fall off.
4
Visit a jeweller or watch store. If you are struggling to change the watch band, and it is proving too awkward, just pay quick visit to a local jeweller or watch store. With the right tools and some practice it is quite simple to change the band, so the jeweller will be able to do it very quickly. If you are buying a new band, the jeweller will often offer to change the band for you for free.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Removal - Metal Band

1
Determine what type of fitting it has. If you have a metal watch band, it may be attached with a spring bar and be replaced in much the same way as a leather or fabric band. The first thing to do is examine the point where the band is attached to the watch to determine which fitting it has. Look closely at the lugs at either side of the point where the band meets the watch.
- If there are small hole on the outside of the lugs, this means that your band is attached with small screws that pass through the lugs.
- If there are no holes, it will be attached with just a spring bar.
- Now check to see if there are end caps on the band attached to the watch.
- End caps are the parts at the end of some bands that protrude out like wings. If it looks like your band does not have a flat end, it has end caps.^{[4]
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2
Detach a band with screws. If you have determined that your band is attached with small screws through the lugs, you will need a small screwdriver, or another tool to remove and replace the strap. You can use a flat head watchmaker's screwdriver to remove the screws. This is tricky work and requires a steady hand. Insert the screwdriver into the lug hole until you feel it catch in the screw and then turn it sharply anti-clockwise until the screw is loose.
- Once you have removed the screw, try to carefully remove the spring bar piece that it was holding in place.
- You may need to poke through the other side of the band to do this, and you may need to remove the screw on the other side of the band first.
- Non-magnetic tweezers can be a useful tool to help you do this.
- Make sure you store all the piece carefully when you are done.^{[5]
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3
Take out a band with end caps. A band with end caps is generally attached to the watch with a spring bar and no screws. To see if your watch has end caps, look at the space between the lugs. If it appears that the band flows into the watch case, and there are no gaps, you probably have end caps. If you are uncertain, turn it over and look from the back. A watch with end caps will have an extra metal piece at the end of the band. This will have two parts protruding out that may look a little like wings, extending either side of the band.^{[6]
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- To remove the band you need to work to release the spring bar from the lugs in much the same as with other spring bar bands.
- With end caps, however, once you release the spring bar, the caps will fall out loose. The spring bar attaches the caps to the band as well as to the watch.^{[7]
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- Repeat this for each side of the band, and be sure to keep all the pieces safe.
4
Remove a spring bar band. Metal bands that are flat at the ends, with no end caps, are more straightforward to change. If there are no screws and the band is just connected with a spring bar, you can change it in basically the same way as you would a leather or fabric strap.
- Insert whatever spring bar tool you are using into the point where the band is connected to the lugs, and carefully try to get the spring bar free.
- Depress the band to expose the spring bar and then try to slide it out of the indents in the lug.
- Repeat on both sides of the band, and be sure to keep all the pieces safe and secure.^{[8]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Attachment - Metal Band

1
Install a band with screws. Make sure the new band fits and is designed to be attached in the same way as the one you have removed. To install a new band, line it up between the lug holes and carefully thread the screw bar piece through one of the lug holes, and down through the hole in the band. Hold it in place and try to keep the bar and band aligned with the lug holes. Then take one screw and carefully position it in one of the lug holes. Turn it clockwise a couple of times.
- Then place the second screw in the other lug hole.
- Hold the first screw in place with another screwdriver or a screwdriver block.
- Then tighten the second screw until it won't turn any further. Once you reach this point, tighten up the first screw.
- You may consider replacing the screws, which can wear out over time.^{[9]
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2
Attach a new band with end caps. If you are attaching a new band to a watch that has end caps, you will need to ensure your new straps fits the old end caps. Fix the new band to the end caps by first sliding the spring bar into the end caps. Then move it into position between the lugs, pressing the bottom of the spring bar into the lower lug. Depress the spring bar and after some manoeuvring, you should be able to click it into the hole in the top lug.^{[10]
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- This is very tricky work, and if you are struggling to get it in, pay a quick visit to the jewellers.
- Bands with end caps have less regular sizing than flat-ended bands, so it is advisable to check with a watchmaker or jeweller to ensure your new band will fit.
3
Fix a new spring bar strap. A new spring bar strap is reasonably straightforward to install. Ensure you have all the pieces together and the band fits the watch. Insert the spring bar into the hole at the end of the band and move it towards the watch. Depress one end of the spring bar and slide it into place between the lugs.
- When one end is in the indent, press down and slide the other end into position.
- Listen out for the clicks as the bar slides into the holes in the lugs.^{[11]
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Community Q&A

Question

I tore my watch band. Can I tear off the rest of the band to turn it into a pocket watch?

Community Answer

You can if you want to. It all comes down to personal preference.
Question

What do I do if the adjustable bar won't stay in on my watch?

Community Answer

Try to get a longer spring bar to fit it in. If the spring bar hole has been damaged, you can keep it in place after putting in the spring bar with a bit of hot glue.
Question

Can a jewelry store fix the watch band on my smart watch?

Community Answer

Yes, they can fix any type of watch band. You just need to bring in the smart watch device.