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.
HOW OTHERS ARE PAIRING IT
Customer Reviews
A vintage like strap to go with Nivada's new update to the chronomaster sea diver aviator! This watch should have come with a strap like this. Why buy garbage on Amazon when you can get quality from Holbens!
Love the powder blue color….seems well-made as far as stitching and quality of leather, as well as subtle texture…low-key but classy. However, I am still perplexed as to why there is no indication on the underside of the strap that it’s goatskin….just the handmade in Germany…. Would have appreciated that…
I was looking for a long time for a band that was thin and fine enough for my vintage Longines 22L watch from my grandfather. This band fits the bill! It looks great on there, feels very comfortable, and is perfect for every-day wear. I have small wrists, so the small size option is very much appreciated. It is also a very good value for the quality!
I’ve had my eye on the Fluco Biarritz line for several months now. I’ve read several reviews praising the strap and finally decided to order one for myself. Upon arriving I noticed how tidy and well done the stitching is. The leather is beautifully grained, pliable and you can feel the quality once on the wrist. The red racing version that I purchased pairs well with my Nomos Club 703.1 and makes the red hands pop. I will look to add a Navy version down the line. I almost forgot to mention that Fluco sources their leather from the Alran tannery in southern France. As always, Mike shipped the strap quickly and well packed.
This is a beautiful strap at a very reasonable price. The orange color -- which is a bit hard to find -- looks fantastic with my new Citizen diver with the blue face!
Firstly, this is a very good quality strap and worth every penny. It's stiff but only as to keep its form being still comfortable and sure will soften up.
Color grey has a definite blue hue but still very much grey especially in certain lighting. A beautiful color and straight speaks luxury and style.
Bought this for my Heuer reissue because I decided I needed a red rally strap. I decided that shortly after seeing this one. The strap is well sized. Not quite as nice as my Heuer strap, but still nice. Fitment is pretty solid. More strap than necessary for my 7ish in wrist. The only real complaint is that it tapers to smaller than 16mm. My Heuer buckle is a little big because of this sizing discrepancy. All in all a great comfortable strap. Will be potentially buying one in tan for a different watch.
Just put this 19mm taupe colored Biarritz (Montana) goatskin band on my Longines Heritage and man does it ever look great, (atleast to me anyhow) LOL… Love this color and it is a little more on the gray side and exactly what I was looking for… I have another one of these Biarritz bands so I knew just how supple and comfortable it would be…. Love the taper of the band from 19mm to 16mm It makes a difference in comfort…I put a Longines buckle to complete the look…. Highly recommend this band on a dress watch and a sports watch as well…. As usual Mike at Holben’s was not only helpful and answers inquiries quickly but shipped the band like “greased lightning”….! Once again Holben’s gets a 5 STAR 💫 rating…💯👍
a great shade of blue. perfect taper. just right in all aspects.
Big fan of the construction, leather quality, and strong taper. This is a great option if you’re looking for a “rally-style” perforated leather strap that doesn’t break the bank.
You might also like
Get everything you need
 | |
|---|---|
| Specifications | |
Brand |
Fluco
|
Width |
18mm, 19mm, and 20mm
|
Length |
Regular
|
Thickness |
3.5mm or less
|
Color |
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Grey, Orange, Red, and Tan
|
Stitching Color |
White
|
Material |
Goatskin
|
Pattern |
Pebbled and Rally/Tropic
|
Spring Bar |
Standard
|
Fits Apple Watch |
No
|