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If your rough and ready nylon and Velcro watch strap has seen better days but you don't
want to say good-bye to your favorite watch, Esslinger.com has the watch bands and the
guide to help you replace it.
Note: This guide will tell you have to remove a watch case from a nylon and Velcro sport
and replace the same kind of strap. You can replace a nylon and Velcro sport band on any
watch band that uses spring bars to hold the band in place.
You'll need the following things to replace your watch band:
A spring bar tool A replacement band
A parts tray And optional: new spring bars
The first step is to remove the old band from your watch case. Take the watch in your hand
and hold the case so that the back is facing you, balanced on its side.
You should be able to see the top edge of one spring bar here -- you may have to move
the nylon back to reach the spring bar. Take your spring bar tool and insert the forked
end into the space there so it sits above the donut ring holding it in place.
With the point caught on the spring bar, push down on the donut ring so the band collapses
in on itself. Then push the spring bar out from under the lugs.
Once the spring bar is free of the lug, it should fall free onto your work surface. Pick
it up and put it in your parts tray to keep it from getting lost. The first side of the
watch case will be free of the elastic strap on the band now.
Turn the watch around so that you can access the other set of watch lugs from the back
of the watch case. Again, pull back the nylon back strap to expose the spring bar if necessary.
Take the forked end of your spring bar tool and insert it between the lugs so that it
catches above the donut ring on the spring bar.
Push down on the spring bar with your spring bar tool until it collapses and you can slide
the end out from under the watch lugs.
Hold onto the watch case as you pull the second spring bar out from between the lugs. Set
the watch case down on you're your space and place the spring bar in your parts tray.
Now that you have removed the old band, you need to measure it and the watch case to find
what size replacement band you need. Learn more about measuring watch bands here.
With the measurements in hand, you can explore Esslinger-dot-com's inventory of watch bands
to find the perfect replacement band.
Once you have the replacement band in hand, you can attach the watch case to it. Lay out
the new watch band and determine which way you want the band to clasp.
Then, lay the watch case out on top of the band so it will sit the correct way on your
wrist once you attach it to the watch band.
After you have figured out all the positioning details, you will need one of your spring
bars. Since these watch bands do not come with spring bars, if your original spring
bars are in good condition, you can reuse them here. If not you will need to order new
spring bars.
Hold the watch band and take the watch case, lining it up so the lugs fall on either side
of the elastic strap.
Next, take your first spring bar and slide it between the nylon strap and elastic strap
until you can position the end of the spring bar in the bottom lug of the watch case.
Using the forked end of your spring bar tool push down on the spring bar so you can slide
it under the upper lug. Move the spring bar around until it pops into place. Don't worry
if it takes you more than one try to get it into place.
Turn the watch case so you have a good view of other set of lugs that need a spring bar.
Position the lugs so that the elastic band sits between them.
Take the second spring bar and insert it between the nylon and elastic straps. Position the
bottom end in the notch in the bottom lug of the watch case.
With the spring bar partially in position, take your spring bar tool and push the free
end down with the forked end of the tool. Carefully slide the spring bar under the lugs
and release the pressure on it. Move the spring bar around until it pops into place in the
lug.
Once both spring bars are securely in place, you can begin to wear your watch again.
For more help on watch repair, check out Esslinger.com's learning center today.