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
This is my second or third purchase from Holben’s and I’m very happy. This pigskin band is so supple and comfortable and the brown color is really nice. It looks great on my 1948 Bulova. It adds a classic look like the watch came that way. I’ve tried other bands and they just don’t compare.
My favorite strap. The pigskin doesn't seem to stretch out like a lot of other watch bands do and it's easy to put on. Best of all it's super comfy.
I have Fluco watch straps on five of my watches, including the Bulova Mil Ship shown here. The quality of the Fluco straps is absolutely exceptional. I look at much more expensive leather straps and always come back to believing that for me, Fluco straps are superb and a true buy. Plus, Holben's has been a pleasure to deal with. I will be back!
I purchased this to go with my Praesidus 32mm Combat edition, after receiving the watch band I treated it with leather honey twice and have been using it since. The patina is perfect for this watch.
This is the most comfortable after-market watch strap I have found, never "sweaty" like rubber, never loose like nylon, very pliable. This strap is marked "allergie geschützl" in German, which translates to something like allergy protected, and of course "Made in Germany". The subdued finish looks great, I like this especially with field watches, it seems to bring them up a notch in appearance, while retaining the practical look. Holben service is outstanding.
This strap is perfect with this Accutron 214.
I applied some neatsfoot oil to darken it up a bit and the result as you can see is pure class.
It broke in very quickly and is extremely comfortable on my 35mm Easy Reader. However, it has darkened from the light grey seen in the product photos to a much darker charcoal in the two weeks I’ve been wearing it. Fortunately, this doesn’t bother me in the least because I just wanted a nice, neutral color that was different than the typical black or shades of brown. To that end, charcoal is just as good as grey.
I only wish that it was offered in short sizes. I’m in the second to last hole right now, and, after it stretches out, I’ll be using the last hole. It’s not the end of the world, but I do prefer my watch bands to have less of a tail.
I searched a long time to find a classic pig skin that resembles the ones from the 1940s. Fluco has the best pig skin in the market and the untappered 16 mm band makes it a true classic. Excellent customer service from Holbens as always, my number one stop for watch bands.
I absolutely love this strap. I had an old watch I had bought on ebay and it had a pig strap on it that I truly enjoyed. When I decided to buy a pig strap in a different width I found this Fluco tan. When it arrived I realized how much lighter it was than what I expected however it darkens with age. I wear this strap with the Seiko Alpinists, both the green and the one pictured and my white Junghans Max Bill. The older the strap gets the more I appreciate it. Strongly recommend.
My first Fluco strap...very impressive. Quality leather, well made, and most importantly, very comfortable right from the start.
I am quite sure I will buy another...( in Tan next time). As always, Holben's delivered a classy product, real fast, at a price that can't be beat.
Rick.
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Get everything you need
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| Specifications | |
Brand |
Fluco
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Length Regular, Short or Long
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Regular
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Thickness |
3.5mm or less
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Color |
Black, Brown, Grey, and Tan
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Treatment |
Hypoallergenic
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Spring Bar |
Standard
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