Fitting Your Fabric Strap

Before You Start

Once you've chosen the correct width. fitting a one-piece fabric strap is usually quick and straightforward.

Estimated time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

What you'll need

Depending on your watch and existing strap or bracelet, you may need:

Your new fabric watch strap
A spring bar tool, if your existing strap does not have quick-release spring bars
A bracelet removal tool, if you're removing a metal bracelet
A small piece of tape to help protect the back of the lugs

Tip: Take your time, work on a clean, well-lit surface and keep the spring bars somewhere safe while changing your strap.

Watch Adrian's Strap Fitting Tutorial

Our video below shows the complete fitting process step by step.

Step 1: Remove your existing strap

Before fitting your one-piece fabric strap, you'll first need to remove your existing strap or bracelet.

Leather, fabric and rubber straps are often fitted with quick-release spring bars, which allow the strap to be removed easily using the small release lever on the back.

If your strap doesn't have a quick-release mechanism, it can usually be removed using a traditional spring bar tool. Use the forked end of the tool to compress the spring bar and carefully release the strap from the watch.

Metal bracelets can sometimes be more difficult to remove, particularly if you're less confident working around the watch case. A tweezer-style bracelet removal tool can make the process easier by compressing both ends of the spring bar at the same time, allowing the bracelet to be removed more easily.

Whichever method you use, take care not to scratch the watch case or lugs. Although tape cannot completely prevent damage, a useful tip is to cover the back of the lugs with tape before changing your strap and take your time.

Once the existing strap or bracelet has been removed, you're ready to fit your one-piece fabric strap.

Step 2: Feed or position the strap

If there is enough clearance between the case and spring bars.

With the spring bars re-fitted to the watch, feed the fabric strap through the gap between the watch case and the spring bar at the 12 o'clock end.

Pull the strap underneath the watch case and feed it through the gap at the 6 o'clock end. The watch should then sit on top of the fabric strap.

If there isn't enough clearance between the case and spring bars.

This method typically applies to modern Rolex watches and other watches with very limited clearance.

Do not force the strap through the gap between the case and spring bar, as this can scuff or damage the fabric.

Instead, position the fabric strap between the lugs before fitting the spring bars. Fit the strap one side at a time, starting at the 12 o'clock end, and make sure each spring bar is securely seated in the lug holes before continuing.

Once both spring bars are fitted, the strap should sit underneath the watch case.

Step 3: Position the watch

Adjust the position of the watch along the strap until you are happy with where it sits.

If you're fitting a two-pass strap, feed the long end of the strap through the third keeper so that the additional layer sits underneath the watch.

Make sure the strap lies flat and isn't twisted.

Step 4: Fasten the strap

Place the watch on your wrist and fasten the buckle.

Adjust it until it feels secure and comfortable.

Step 5: Tuck the excess

Fold any excess length back and tuck it through the keeper loops.

You can adjust the lower floating keeper to hold the end of the strap securely in place, helping it sit neatly against your wrist.

You're now ready to go!