Leather Watch Strap Croco Louisiana Dark Brown 18mm (01CL18BA01)

How to Measure a Watch Strap

The easiest way to measure a watch strap is simply to take a ruler and check all important dimensions. The most important one is the width. It should be measured at the watch end. The watch end is the side of the watch strap which will be connected to the watch. Alternatively you can check the inside of your old strap. Most straps have the sizes imprinted on the inside of the watch strap. The next important dimension is the length of the watch strap. Standard watch straps have two parts; the longer one and the part with buckle (shorter). You can use the same ruler to measure the length of the longer and shorter piece of your watch strap.

How to Size a Watch Strap

1. Determine what type of strap the watch requires. You will need to determine both the material it is made out of (leather, nylon, rubber/silicon, etc.), and, in the case of metal watch band whether it is a stretch band or closes with a clasp.
2. Determine the width of the strap you will need. If you are unsure of the strap width that will fit your watch, try measuring the area where the strap will connect to the watch. The width will probably be somewhere between 8 and 30 mm.
3. Measure your wrist size by wrapping the measuring tape around the area of your wrist where your watch would normally be. Write down your wrist's circumference.
4. Measure the length of the watch head (lug to lug) and subtract the length of the watch head from your wrist size to determine what length of band you will need to fit snugly on your wrist. For example, if your wrist is 7 inches in circumference and your watch head is 1 inch across, you are left with 6 inches of wrist strap*.

   *6 inches of wrist strap - this is the length of the strap when buckled.

   Many leather straps are adjustable what means that longer pieces of the straps have holes. In result there will be different length when buckled to the first hole and when buckled to the last hole. For example, if the strap's max length (when buckled to the first hole) is 8 inches and the strap's min length (when buckled to the last hole) is 5 inches, the strap is correct for a wrist 7 inches in circumference and a watch head 1 inch across.

Example:

Wrist size: 7 inches
Watch head: 1 inch
Required length of the strap: 6 inches (7-1)

Watch Strap Length:
When buckled to the first hole: 8 inches
When buckled to the last hole: 5 inches

The required length of the strap (6 inches) is between 8 and 5 inches so the strap is correct. If the required length is above 8 inches the strap will be too short. If the required length is below 5 inches the strap will be too long.

How to Replace a Watch Strap

Removing the Old Watch Strap

1. Clear a spot to work and make sure that there is a small towel covering the table top so that you can see anything that may drop or pop out during the process of changing the strap.
2. Use a magnifying glass to look at the point where one side of the strap is attached to the watch. You will see a small pin connecting the band to the watch on either side of the strap. Carefully use a Spring Bar Tool or the jeweler's screwdriver to depress the spring loaded pin from the watch to the strap and release it from the watch. When the tension on the spring pin is released it may pop out of the strap and you will want to take care not to lose it. Repeat this process with the other half of the strap.

Installing the New Watch Strap

1. Take the new strap and slip the spring pins into the small holes on the end of the strap where it will attach to the watch. Working with one end at a time, slip one side into the pin hole in the watch body.
2. Use the Spring Bar Tool or the jeweler's screwdriver to depress the other side of the spring pin and guide it into the pin hole in the other side of the watch body. Repeat this process with the other half of the watch strap and other spring pin.