Changing a watch strap can be intimidating the first time, but it's simpler than it seems. Here's the method watchmakers use, adapted for home use.
What you'll need
- The new strap, with the correct width.
- A spring bar tool (costs between €3 and €8, highly recommended) or, failing that, a small flat-head screwdriver and a strong fingernail.
Step-by-step
- Locate the spring bar. This is the thin rod that passes through the two lugs of the watch and holds the strap in place from within.
- Fit the tip of the tool into the small groove on the bar, near the lug.
- Press inward while gently pushing the strap toward the other side. The bar will compress and release that end.
- Repeat on the other end and completely remove the old strap.
- Attach the new strap in reverse: compress one end of the bar, hook it into one lug, then compress the other end to fit it into the second lug.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Prying directly on the watch crystal — protect the watch face with a cloth while you work.
- Forcing the bar if it doesn't give — usually, it's not aligned correctly, not that it needs more force.
- Buying the cheapest tool possible: those under €2 often bend the first time you use them.
What if my watch doesn't have a spring bar?
Some dive or military watches use a through-screw system instead of a spring bar. In that case, you'll need a small precision screwdriver instead of the standard tool.
All Vergio straps include the spring bar tool in the package, at no extra cost.