There are lots of good reasons to buy a new watch strap. Changing your strap can give your trusty old Omega, Seiko or Timex a new lease on life. If you've recently acquired a new watch, you may want to store your OEM strap or bracelet to keep it in pristine condition. Even if you're not concerned with preserving the OEM strap, often they aren't the ideal quality, fit or design for your wrist comfort or personal style.
Shopping for and wearing new straps is one of the fun things about owning a watch. But before you get started, you'll need to know how to achieve the best fit for your watch case and wrist size. With watch straps, size matters, and we can help.
Find your perfect fit
You'll need at least two measurements to choose a strap that fits properly: the width and the length. If you plan to swap out the buckle for a new one or switch to a deployant clasp, you'll also need to know the strap/buckle taper measurement.
Strap width
The terms "strap size," "strap width" and "lug width" are often used interchangeably. Don't let this confuse you; they all mean the same thing. Basically, the width of the strap where it attaches to the watch lugs (the two projecting arms on the watch case) is the strap size.
To determine your strap size, try the easy way first: check the back of your current strap for an imprint that indicates the size.
If no useful information is provided on the strap, use a metric ruler or a caliper to measure the watch lug width, or the internal distance between the lugs. This measurement will be a whole number, expressed in millimeters (i.e., 20mm). If your lug width is 20mm, you need a 20mm strap.
Strap length
If your strap is too tight, it could irritate your skin and affect your circulation. Too loose, and your watch will migrate around your wrist, constantly straying from its desired location. You want to choose the correct length for your wrist size.
To determine your wrist size, measure your wrist in inches. Use a flexible tape measure or a strip of paper to wrap your wrist where your watch would naturally sit. Mark the point where the two ends meet. If you're using paper, measure it with a ruler. That number is your wrist size.
Compare your wrist size to each manufacturer's specifications in our product listings to make sure you're buying the right length. If you find yourself between two lengths, round up.
Strap/buckle taper
Most watch straps taper in width toward the buckle. Your buckle size matches the width at the buckle end of the strap, not the lug end. If you have a 22mm strap that tapers to 20mm at the buckle, you need a 20mm buckle. A 22mm buckle will be too big.
The strap/buckle taper is important information if you're swapping out the buckle with one of your own, or want to add a deployant clasp. Holben's includes this detail in all of our product listings.
Changing your watch strap
Consider investing in an inexpensive spring bar tool for strap changes. If your strap uses standard spring bars, a spring bar tool can save you a lot of frustration. It can also help with quick-release bars if you have larger fingers or are dealing with mobility issues like arthritis.
Cover your work area with a light-colored towel or cloth to protect your watch, keep tools and parts from rolling away and hopefully catch any spring bars that may fly into the air. Place your watch on the towel with the back facing up; this protects the front of the watch from accidental slips or scratches. You can also wrap the lugs (avoiding the holes) with masking or painter's tape.
Remove the old strap
Removing the old strap involves a few simple steps.
- Use the forked end of your spring bar tool to expose the shoulder of the spring bar between the strap and the lug, then push the shoulder of the bar away from the lug hole towards the strap.
- Extract the bar from the hole in the lug and remove that side of the strap.
- The opposite side of the strap should fall out of the lug hole on its own. If not, repeat the process on that side.
Sometimes the ends of the spring bars are exposed through holes in the lugs. If this is the case, simply use the pointed end of your spring bar tool to push in one end of the bar until it separates from the lug.
Install the new strap
Installing your new strap is similar to removing the old one, only in reverse.
- Make sure that both your watch and the strap are facing up, and that each strap piece is placed correctly; typically the buckle piece sits at the twelve o'clock position.
- Insert a spring bar into the channel in the strap end. Slip one end of the bar into the corresponding lug hole.
- Using your spring bar tool, depress the other side of the bar and guide it into the hole in the other lug. You should hear an audible "click" when the bar pops into place.
- Repeat the operation with the other strap piece.
Change the buckle
Changing the buckle works the same way as changing the strap, with a few other considerations.
- Use your spring bar tool to remove the spring bar connecting the old buckle to the strap.
- Place the prong of the new buckle (facing the same direction as the strap) in the slot on the strap.
- Insert the spring bar through the strap channel, taking care to catch the prong.
- Confirm that the prong is correctly positioned (sitting on top of the buckle, not underneath it), then insert the spring bar into the buckle holes.
Now all that's left to do is enjoy your new strap. If you have any questions, contact us and we would be happy to help.
Customer Reviews
I'm not usually one for olive drab or canvas, but I bought this to replace the similarly-colored NATO strap that came with my weirdo dual-time Orient. Be advised it is a bit stiff out of the box, so it will take a bit of wearing in, but even after a couple of wears it feels better. Good stitching and nice build quality overall, just like Eulit's Perlon straps (which are nice too, by the way). My only wish is that Eulit offered a gunmetal buckle to match the case, but you can't have everything. Overall, quite pleased with it.
Great strap, great customer service, great on a 1970 Monaco ;)
Love the strap . Great quality. Nice touch to my military style diver. Holbens service was really good & quick postage.
Great straps to compliment my Tudor BB58 OG. The straps are really well made. The leather lining makes them extremely comfy, that requires almost zero break in time. Thickness is just on point so the straps conform to the shape of your wrist when worn. Highly recommended!!
Been looking for a decent canvas strap for my un-fancy, utilitarian Hamilton Khaki King Auto.
After being disappointed with the widely advertised "Quick-Change" type bands, I happened upon these.
I'm very, very pleased.
This is a robust, comfortable strap.
Easily twice the quality of the "Others."
I actually enjoy changing out my straps/bands, and this was simple.
I was also able to order the black anodized buckle to go with this Army green. That too - was an easy task, swapping out the buckle.
Also picked up the tan canvas strap, both at a very reasonable cost.
I'm impressed with the fast shipping, too.
Thanks, Holben's!
Will purchase a couple more.
I looked everywhere for a canvas strap that is really forest green like this one and finally found it. I’ve only worn it once but it looks awesome
I really like the look and feel of this band. However, I’ve been wearing it for a week and the second loop is fraying quite a bit. The loop is also a bit too loose so it moves around more than I would like. I’m worried that the rest of it will start fraying soon as well.
I’m really thrilled with this purchase. I never leave reviews, but this is worth the support. I wanted a field watch look and the green is a perfect color, like a moss green. Leather backing and the canvas are great materials and it’s constructed really well. I think this strap would look good on my bronze Flieger as well. I will def be buying another one.
Nice pickup, good price. It’s a little stiff, and perhaps the reinforcement on the underside of the strap has some part to play in that, but even if it stays a little stiff, it’s a very good strap. Compliments a sporty, rugged watch, but looks great on my speedmaster as well. I love purchasing from Holden’s, and they once again have done a great job. Fast shipping.
Purchased this canvas band for my Michael Kors MK8386. Great quality band and came with the watch band pins as well. I specifically wanted this band for the nice looking canvas pattern and the black colored buckle. Very classy and paired with my watch gives it that budget Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch look.
