How to Change a Watch Strap - Step-by-Step Guide

Changing a watch strap is one of those things that sounds intimidating until you actually do it. Then you realise it takes about two minutes and wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

Whether you're swapping to a NATO strap, fitting a leather strap, or putting on a rubber strap for the beach, this guide covers every method, every strap type, and every mistake you'll want to avoid.

What You'll Need

For most strap changes, you'll need just one tool:

A spring bar tool - this is the little forked tool that compresses the spring bar so you can slide it out of the lugs. We sell these for just a few bucks (Spring Bar Tool) and honestly, it's the best investment you'll make if you plan on swapping straps more than once.

In a pinch: A small flathead screwdriver, a thin knife, or even a sturdy paperclip can work, but we wouldn't recommend it. Makeshift tools slip easily and that's how you scratch your watch (or your finger). A proper spring bar tool costs less than a coffee. Just get one.

Optional but Handy

A soft cloth or microfibre - place your watch face-down on this while working to avoid scratches
Good lighting - you're working with small parts, and spring bars love to ping across the room if you're not careful
Tweezers - helpful for handling spring bars, especially if you've got big hands

Understanding Spring Bars

Before we get into the steps, let's quickly cover what's actually holding your strap on.

Spring bars are small metal rods with spring-loaded tips. They compress inward when you push on them, slide into the holes in your watch lugs, and then spring back out to lock in place. They're what connects your strap (or bracelet) to your watch case.

There are two main types you'll encounter:

Standard spring bars - have a small shoulder/groove near each tip. You compress them with a spring bar tool
Quick-release spring bars - have a small lever or nub on one side that you can push with your fingernail. No tool needed. These are increasingly common on modern watches and straps

Method 1: Removing a Two-Piece Strap (Standard Spring Bars)

This is the most common scenario, taking off a regular two-piece strap (leather, rubber, silicone, or a bracelet).

Step-by-Step

Place your watch face-down on a soft cloth. This protects the crystal and gives you clear access to the spring bars between the lugs.
Locate the spring bar. Look between the strap and the lug, you should see the thin metal bar connecting them. On some straps, there's a small gap or notch where the spring bar's shoulder is visible.
Insert your spring bar tool. Use the forked end to engage the shoulder/groove of the spring bar. Slide the fork in between the strap and the lug.
Push inward and lever down. Press the spring bar tip inward (compressing the spring) while gently levering the tool downward. The spring bar should release from the lug hole.
Slide the strap out. Once one end is free, pull the strap sideways to remove it. The spring bar will come with it (or fall out - keep an eye on it!).
Repeat on the other side.

Pro tip: Work over a towel or tray. Spring bars are tiny and spring-loaded, they will launch themselves across the room given half a chance. We've all been on our hands and knees searching for one. Don't be that person.

Method 2: Installing a Two-Piece Strap

Insert the spring bar into the strap end. Most straps have holes or tubes at the attachment end slide the spring bar through.
Compress one end of the spring bar and seat it into one lug hole.
Use your tool to compress the other end and guide it into the opposite lug hole. You should feel (and sometimes hear) it click into place.
Test it. Give the strap a firm tug. If the spring bar is properly seated, it won't budge. If it slides out, one end isn't fully seated, try again.
Repeat on the other side.

The whole process takes about 2-3 minutes once you've done it a couple of times. First time might be five minutes, that's totally normal.

Method 3: Installing a NATO Strap (No Tools Needed!)

This is the easiest strap swap of all and it's one of the reasons NATO straps are so popular.

If Your Spring Bars Are Already In

If your watch already has spring bars in the lugs (they're just sitting there with no strap), you don't need any tools at all:

Thread the long end of the NATO strap under the top spring bar (the one closest to 12 o'clock), going from the back of the watch to the front.
Pull it through until the buckle hardware is roughly centred and the shorter keeper strap is positioned near the bottom spring bar.
Thread the keeper strap under the bottom spring bar (6 o'clock side).
Wrap the long tail through the buckle, secure it through the keepers, and you're done.

The whole thing takes about 30 seconds. No tools, no spring bar wrestling, no stress. That's the NATO advantage.

If You Need to Install Spring Bars First

If you're coming from a bracelet or there are no spring bars in place, you'll need to:

Insert spring bars into both sets of lugs using Method 1's removal process in reverse
Then thread the NATO strap through as described above

Method 4: Quick-Release Straps

Many modern two-piece straps and some silicone straps come with quick-release spring bars built in. You'll recognise them by a small lever or nub on one side of the spring bar.

Find the quick-release lever - it's usually a small tab sticking out from between the strap and the lug
Pull the lever toward the centre of the strap with your fingernail
While holding it, slide the strap sideways to release
To install: Just compress the quick-release lever, seat one end in the lug, and let the other end snap into place

Quick-release makes strap-swapping genuinely tool-free. If you're someone who likes to change straps regularly, it's a game-changer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

We've seen (and made) all of these. Learn from our pain:

1. Using the Wrong Tool

Butter knives, scissors, screwdrivers, we've heard it all. These will scratch your lugs, scratch your caseback, and possibly slip and gouge your hand. A spring bar tool is purpose-built and costs a few dollars. Use the right tool for the job.

2. Wrong Strap Size

A 20mm strap on a 22mm watch looks rubbish, and a 22mm strap on a 20mm watch simply won't fit. Measure your lug width before ordering. Not sure? Check our complete watch strap size guide.

3. Not Testing the Spring Bar

Always - always - give your strap a firm tug after installation. If a spring bar isn't fully seated, it can pop out while you're wearing the watch. Better to find out over your desk than over a storm drain.

4. Reusing Worn Spring Bars

Spring bars wear out over time. If yours feel weak, don't spring back firmly, or look corroded, replace them. They're cheap and it's not worth risking your watch.

5. Forcing It

If something isn't fitting, stop. Check you've got the right size, the right spring bars, and the right approach. Forcing a spring bar can damage the lug holes or scratch the case.

When to See a Professional

DIY strap changes are fine for 90% of situations. But there are a few times you should let a watchmaker handle it:

Expensive or vintage watches - if your watch is worth thousands, a $20 professional strap change is cheap insurance against scratches
Integrated bracelets - watches like the Tissot PRX, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, or Patek Philippe Nautilus have bracelets that are part of the case design. Removing them requires specific knowledge
Seized or corroded spring bars - if a spring bar won't budge, a watchmaker has the tools and experience to remove it without damaging your watch
Anything you're not comfortable with - seriously, there's no shame in it. Better safe than scratched

Ready to Swap?

Now that you know how, the fun part is choosing what to swap to:

NATO Straps - the easiest swap, huge range of colours and patterns
Leather NATO Straps - dress up any watch
Silicone & Rubber Straps - waterproof and sporty
Two-Piece Straps - classic look, wide variety
Spring Bar Tool - the one tool you need

Not sure what size you need? Our watch strap size guide has every major brand covered.

Free shipping on orders over $60 across Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you change a watch strap at home?

Flip your watch over and locate the spring bar between the lugs. Use a spring bar tool to compress one end, slide the old strap out, then slide the new one in. It takes about two minutes once you've done it a couple of times.

How do you remove a watch strap without a tool?

You can use a thin flathead screwdriver, a sturdy paperclip, or even a butter knife in a pinch. Slide it under the spring bar and push inward. Just be careful not to scratch your lugs. A proper spring bar tool costs a few dollars and makes life easier.

How do you put on a NATO strap?

Remove both spring bars, thread the long end of the NATO strap under one bar, over the watch back, and under the second bar. Then loop the short tail back through the keeper. No tools needed once the spring bars are in place.

What size watch strap do I need?

Measure the gap between your watch lugs in millimetres. Common sizes are 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm. If you don't have callipers, check your watch model online. We list lug widths on every strap page at Watch Straps Australia.

Can you change a watch strap yourself?

Yes, it's a simple job. All you need is a spring bar tool and a few minutes. Most people in Australia order straps online and swap them at home without any watchmaker visit.

Do all watch straps fit all watches?

No. You need to match the lug width of your watch. Most standard watches use 18mm to 24mm straps. Proprietary designs like some Garmin or Apple models need brand-specific bands.

Posted on 02 February 2026 by Brad Farleigh