Watch Straps and Changing Them

ACCESSORIES · GLOBAL

Watch Straps and Changing Them

Lug width and fit, leather and alternatives, quick-release bars and care

A strap changes a watch more than anything else you can do to it, and swapping one takes a minute once you know the measurement.

Lug width is the measurement

Measure the gap between the lugs in millimetres, which is almost always an even number between 18 and 22. That single figure determines what fits.

Taper matters for the look — a strap narrowing towards the buckle sits more elegantly than a parallel one, and the buckle width has to suit.

Quick-release spring bars

A small lever on the spring bar lets you change a strap with your fingers in seconds and no tools. Many modern watches have them, and quick-release straps can be fitted to almost any watch.

Otherwise a spring bar tool costs very little, and it prevents the scratches that a screwdriver leaves on the lugs.

Materials

Leather is comfortable and should be kept out of water, since sweat and moisture rot the lining. Rubber and silicone suit swimming and sport. Nylon straps are cheap, washable and secure.

Metal bracelets are durable and need sizing by removing links, which a jeweller does in minutes and frequently free at purchase.

Fit

The watch should sit on top of the wrist without rolling, with room to slide a finger underneath. A strap that leaves marks is too tight.

Care

Wipe leather after wearing and let it dry between wears, and rotate straps rather than wearing one daily. Clean rubber and nylon straps with soapy water, since trapped sweat causes skin irritation.

Buying straps

Check the lug width, the strap length for your wrist and whether the buckle matches your watch's finish. Photographs rarely represent leather colour accurately, so check the returns policy.

Two or three straps change a single watch more than owning several watches does.

Leather goods generally

Full grain leather keeps the outer surface of the hide and develops a patina; genuine leather is a marketing term for a lower grade. Bonded leather is scraps on a backing and peels within a couple of years.

Check stitching density and whether stress points are riveted as well as stitched.

Care

Clean with a barely damp cloth, condition every few months, and keep leather out of prolonged heat and direct sun, which dries and cracks it.

Phone cases and other leather goods

A case covering the corners with a raised lip around the screen and camera prevents most drop damage. Leather cases wear at the corners first and develop a patina, which some people prefer.

Check compatibility with wireless charging and any magnetic attachment before buying.

Buying

Check the strap length, since standard straps are sized for an average wrist and longer and shorter options exist.

WHERE TO BUY

Ready to shop TORRO? Use the link below to visit the official store.

→ Shop TORRO — official site

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