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Whether your current watch band is worn out, or you would just like to give your watch
a new look, you can easily replace your metal watch band with this guide from Esslinger.com.
How do you know if your watch case does or does not have holes? Check the watch lugs,
the metal part that sticks out to hold the watch band. If the lugs look like they each
have one small round hole, then you should follow these steps to remove your watch band.
You will need: A spring bar tool
A replacement watch band A parts tray
And optional: new spring bars
The first step in changing your watch band is to remove the existing watch band. Start
by holding the watch so that it is sitting on its side with the watch crown pointing
up.
Hold the watch case so one side of the band is facing you, take your spring bar tool and
use the pointed end to push the spring bar down through the hole. When you can feel that
the spring bar has been pushed down, use a free finger to push the top of the watch band
out from under the lugs.
When the spring bar and top of the band are free you can easily pull that half of the
watch band out of the case.
Before you let the first part of the watch band hang free, remove the spring bar from
the end and put it in the parts tray in case you can reuse it later.
Turn the watch case so that the half of the watch band that is still attached to the watch
case is accessible to your tools.
Take your spring bar tool and repeat what you did before. Move the pointed end in into
the hole in the case lug and then push down until you can push the band to the side and
slide it free of the watch case.
First remove the spring bar from the watch band and put it in your parts tray to keep
track of it.
Then remove the watch band and lay it aside so you can remember which side of the watch
case it came from. By doing this, you will ensure that the clasp of your new watch band
will close the same way as the one on your original band.
Next you need to measure the watch band to determine the size of your replacement band.
For help on this, check out this link.
Now that you have the size of the watch band needed, you can choose a size and style that
you prefer. For lots of watch band options, visit our watch band page at Esslinger-dot-com.
Now you can install the new band into the watch band. Take one side of the new watch
band and determine which side of the watch case it belongs on from the old band.
Once you know where one side of your new watch band belongs, hold the end in your hand and
insert one of the spring bars into it. If the spring bars are not damaged you should
be able to reuse them if necessary.
With the first spring bar in place, pick up the watch case and hold it on its side again
with the crown pointing to the ceiling. It should be positioned so you can access the
side where the first side of the band belongs.
Position the spring bar of the watch band in the hole in the bottom lug. Be sure that
your watch band's finished side is facing the same direction as the watch face.
Take the forked end of the spring bar tool and position it so that you can push one of
the spring ends of the spring bar down so it fits under the lug.
Carefully move the watch band around in the lugs until you feel and see the spring bar
pop into place. This will happen when the spring bar finds the hole in the watch lug.
Don't worry if it takes you several tries to get the spring bar in position.
Now, turn the watch case so that you can access the other set of lugs.
Grab the second spring bar and insert it into the free end of the watch band.
After the spring bar is in place, position the end of the new watch band between the
lugs. The spring bar should sit in the hole for it in the bottom lug. The finished side
should be facing the correct way already.
When it is place, use your spring bar tool to push the top part of the spring bar down
so it can slide under the top watch lug.
Just like you did with the first side, wiggle the watch band around under the top lug until
it slips into place in its hole in the lug.
Once both sides of the new watch band are securely attached to the watch case, you are
ready to wear your watch again with its brand new look.
For more information on how to complete watch repairs on your own, visit our Learning Center
at Esslinger.com.