How To Use A Spring Bar Tool To Replace Watch Straps

Ask anyone who knows a little about watches and they’ll recommend you get yourself a spring bar tool. These handy little tools are what you want if you like changing out your strap from time to time and work on any kind of strap from metal bracelets to leather watch straps.

The best spring bar tool we can recommend is the Professional Spring Bar Tool, for both value for money and excellent quality. A benefit of this spring bar tool is its versatility. One end of the tool holds a wider fork for leather watch straps and a thinner fork on the other end for metal bracelets. You can switch out the thinner fork end with a flat-ended pin, ideal for attaching the bracelet back onto the watch.

How to change a watch strap using a spring bar tool

Watches with drilled lugs, get your Professional Spring Bar tool and swap out the thinner fork end for the flat-ended pin and insert the pin into the drilled hole of the lugs. Then, gently push the tool inwards to release the spring bar. You may need to wiggle the strap a little to help release the spring bar, but be careful not to lose the spring bar especially if it’s spring-loaded!

If you’re removing a metal bracelet, you’ll want to use the thinner fork end of your spring bar tool on the end-links of the bracelet (where the bracelet meets the watch head), you’ll usually find cut-away slots where you can partially see the spring bar. Slot the thinner fork end into the outside edge of the slot in front of the flange (a raised ring around the spring bar end) and push inwards until you release the spring bar from the lug.

When removing a rubberor leatherwatch strap, you’ll want to position the wider fork-end so that it slots between the end of the strap and the inside of the lug (you may need to squeeze the strap inwards slightly), pulling the spring bar inwards until you hear or feel it release from the lug.

Fitting a new strap to your watch using a spring bar tool

1. Place one end of the spring bar into one of the lug holes.
2. Then, position the other end of the spring bar to sit over the other lug.
3. Using the spring bar tool, compress the spring bar so that you can lower it into place, aiming for the other lug hole.
4. Repeat the process for the other piece of the strap, then gently tug on each strap to ensure the spring bars are secured in place.

OctoPod Polishing Cleaning Cloth

Explorers Polishing Cleaning Cloth

OctoPod Super Absorbent Beer Mats (Pack of 5)

OctoPod EarthPositive® Organic T-Shirt

Precision Professional Spring Bar Tool