Requesting for Tips and Tricks for Switching Straps, Especially Quick Release
So I just got into the change my straps era for my watch loving and I am finding it a challenge to find second hole in the lug when I am changing straps. I saw on youtube videos that you can move the strap around until you hear a snap as it goes into the hole but I haven't been hearing that "snap".
Does this risk scratching the inside of the lugs? How do you quickly find that second lug hole when you are changing straps?
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Aaron Ben Moshe
Eclectic collector: lover of urushi, art deco, stone dials, unique movements, and really anything that catches my eye.🇮🇱✡️🕎
New Jersey, USA
Member since
Last active: 16 min ago
6.50” / 16.50 cm
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Shouldn't be too difficult, are you using the correct size spring bars?
Shouldn't be too difficult, are you using the correct size spring bars?
Using the spring bars that came with the new straps. Should I be worried that this "hunting" for the second hole will scratch up in the inside of the lugs?
Some days they drop straight in. Other days it's as if the hole has disappeared. But even on the worst days it's 100x better than a bracelet 🥺
Using the spring bars that came with the new straps. Should I be worried that this "hunting" for the second hole will scratch up in the inside of the lugs?
Even if it does, you won't ever see it. My .02¢.
I get it completely. You are not alone. If you are using a tool, its still not as easy as all make it to be. Yes you need to place a bit of effort into it. The right sizing helps on all fronts: band widths, spring bars, and the quality of the springbars. Its small spaces, too, so a bit of dexterity helps. Just dont force or gouge things too harshly to not damage the case back or lugs accidently.
Using the spring bars that came with the new straps. Should I be worried that this "hunting" for the second hole will scratch up in the inside of the lugs?
I wouldn't worry about it. You'd never see it unless you were closely inspecting it but I don't see any scratches on the inside of any of my lugs. I change straps quite frequently too.
Great watch btw
What I do is look at the location of both holes prior to adding the strap. Often we'll think the hole is centered or farther in, when actually it's closer to the end and sometimes not centered.
A strap change only takes a minute or two once you get the hang of that second hole snap method. Then you give the strap a tug to be sure and you're good to go.
I wouldn't worry about it. You'd never see it unless you were closely inspecting it but I don't see any scratches on the inside of any of my lugs. I change straps quite frequently too.
Second this.
I'd also say to @Lacquerite, I usually gently flex the strap as if it's being worn on the wrist to get the bars to line up. I don't particularly notice lots of scraping.
Regardless of method, once you're reasonably sure the bar is in place, ALWAYS test with some back and forth tugs and flexing.
Hasn't happened to me, but I've witnessed a friend's Omega bounce off the floor right after a strap change, he thought he heard the click, slapped it on and it wasn't locked in.
Ah, yes! The videos.
Don’t sweat, you’ll get the knack. Yes, the spring bar will leave marks on the insides of the lugs, but meh. I’ve never heard of a person being pilloried for in-scratched lugs.
It is a picky, frustrating issue. Up to date quick release spring-bars make it miles less stressful and tooth-grindingly annoying.
Be of good cheer!
And what a great watch!
😃
Looks like you have the prefect match there already brother.
I have also had that slight "snap" or "click" sound when the spring bars call into place, but as long as it feels sturdy, I wouldn't worry about not hearing the sound.
Anyway, that is a sick watch and strap! Where can I get one?
Im just here to tell you how gorgeous that watch is. Stunner.
I have also had that slight "snap" or "click" sound when the spring bars call into place, but as long as it feels sturdy, I wouldn't worry about not hearing the sound.
Anyway, that is a sick watch and strap! Where can I get one?
Watch is a Kurono Tokyo GMT1 Strap is an Atelier Kai Vampire Black Special Alligator Strap.
kuronotokyo.com
https://atelierkai.co
This is also where drilled lugs come in VERY handy tbh.
I get they detract from a dressier watch, but man do they make it easy to switch straps, especially if you don't use quick change bars.
And while maybe not the dressiest of options, one reason why I've considered buying a Baltic MR01 many times. Even though it has no lume, drilled lugs make switching a breeze.
Ideally one should be able to line up close enough by visually (or by feel) estimating parallel in two dimensions and just fishing around for a second or two. My only advice is to start by pushing further in toward the watch head and then back out, and also to err on the side of low on the lug so that if an end pops out, it will be on the bottom and not the top.
Sadly it simply comes down to practice and repetition. The more you swap straps the better you get at it. But since most people don’t swap their straps that often it can be a pain when they want to renew their straps. You can order yourself a “spring bar tool” from Amazon and practice on a watch that has tons of “character” (scratches and scuffs) and simply practice getting the bracelet on and off. 10 mins a day for a week should give you enough of a feel to get fairly comfortable with and swap that you may need.
Very nice 👍
Some days they drop straight in. Other days it's as if the hole has disappeared. But even on the worst days it's 100x better than a bracelet 🥺
hah , well put that sums up my skills perfectly
I wouldn't worry about scratching the interior lug surface, that's impossible to avoid.
As for seating the springbars, it's going to depend on many factors: how sturdy the material is, how accurately the strap was made, whether they're quick-release or not, etc. One thing I find helpful is to kind of keep my thumb (or or the crook of my finger or something) against the butt of the strap - a guardrail to keep it from popping out of the lugs- while I gently wiggle the loose bar end around.
With quick-release you have a better chance of visually lining up both ends with their respective holes before depressing them to enter the lug. Sometimes this allows you to put a strap on with a brief push/pull in a single direction. Super satisfying when it works out!
Lots of good suggestions so far. I’d also recommend some tape for the lugs when you do it. Something stronger than scotch, but not gorilla. Masking or thin strip of gaffing. Occasionally I will use scotch tape if I can easily get to the lugs.
Let me know if you need some good strap makers, lots of great custom makers out there for not an unreasonable amount of money.
Quick release is super easy if you need a tool there are a bunch on Amazon and fairly easy to do yourself. I’ve changed out 2 of my straps 1 with quick release and one with the pins.
What I do is look at the location of both holes prior to adding the strap. Often we'll think the hole is centered or farther in, when actually it's closer to the end and sometimes not centered.
A strap change only takes a minute or two once you get the hang of that second hole snap method. Then you give the strap a tug to be sure and you're good to go.
Agreed. It's best to know the watch. As far as scratching the inside of the lugs, that's not something worth worrying about.
As soon as I get the second half between the lugs, I straighten the strap out flat then I try to eyeball the straightness and depth of the second one based on the position of the first one. Since I know the first one is in, the other side should look exactly the same. It usually pops in quickly once it’s located.
I know this isn't what you asked but the watch and strap combination in the picture are killer.
I wouldn't worry about scratching the interior lug surface, that's impossible to avoid.
As for seating the springbars, it's going to depend on many factors: how sturdy the material is, how accurately the strap was made, whether they're quick-release or not, etc. One thing I find helpful is to kind of keep my thumb (or or the crook of my finger or something) against the butt of the strap - a guardrail to keep it from popping out of the lugs- while I gently wiggle the loose bar end around.
With quick-release you have a better chance of visually lining up both ends with their respective holes before depressing them to enter the lug. Sometimes this allows you to put a strap on with a brief push/pull in a single direction. Super satisfying when it works out!
I use my thumb fingernail
All of the above- the more you switch out straps the easier it will become. Definitely get quick release if possible,tug the ends to make sure attached, and always change above a surface that is soft! I dropped a watch on tile and ruined the glass!
post ban re post!
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OMG - love that strap! So good with the watch colorway.
I've found that some bands are much quieter and the 'pop in' sound of the bar engaging is damped somewhat.
Yes, I think I am sometimes scratching the inside of the lugs... nothing can be done about it. But if it's something that bugs you, down the road pick up a Cape Cod cloth (or the Japanese equivalent which is what I use) as this area is always polished and can be buffed up pretty safely.
But since lug interior is almost impossible to see without going out of your way, I don't sweat it even on my most prized GSs (my priciest watches)