HOW TO CHANGE YOUR WATCH BAND

Changing your watch band is a simple and cost-effective way to freshen up your look and personalize your watch to your individual style. Although you can always go to a local jeweller to have your watch band changed by a professional, swapping out the bands is easy enough to do yourself with the right tools and a little guidance.

Choosing the Right Watch Band

With the wide variety of colours, styles, and materials available, owning a diverse collection of watch bands that complement your watch case expands the number of combinations to you. What is most important when shopping for watch straps is making sure to purchase the right band size for your watch. Watch band width is measured by the distance between the lugs, and the measurements are made in millimetres. You can check the back of your current watch band to see if the size is indicated, or you can measure the width with a ruler or a calliper. Once you have determined the correct lug width, you can narrow your search down by size to filter out all of the incompatible watch bands.

How to Remove and Replace Your Watch Band

1. Gather all of the tools needed, including your new watch band, a spring bar tool, and a polishing cloth.
2. Remove the current watch band using a spring bar tool. Working from the underside of your watch, gently push back the strap away from the watch lug to expose the spring bar (if you're unable to do this, it is easy enough to feel for the ridge of the spring bar with the tip of your spring bar tool). With the forked tip of the spring bar tool, depress the spring bar inwards away from the watch lug and downwards to have the spring bar pop out. Repeat on the other side to fully remove your strap and both spring bars.
3. Insert the spring bars through the holes of your new watch band pieces on each end where the strap will connect to the watch. Make sure the spring bars are cantered inside so they stick out evenly on both sides.
4. Fit one end of the spring bar into the hole on the watch lug. Depress the other end of the spring bar with the forked tip of your spring bar tool to slide it inside the watch lug. Make sure both ends are securely in place their lug holes. Repeat the process on the opposite end of your watch with the second strap piece. 

If you run into any issues or have questions about replacing your watch band, feel free to contact us for assistance.

Shop the collection of Mondaine watch bands here.