Metal strap needed

[xyz123]

Hi, bit of a watch novice here... have a tissot which is on a leather strap. (I will try to get a picture up later). I am guessing all watches have easily replaceable straps.

I want to replace leather one with a metal one. Any recommendations for where to source a decent strap and fixings. Watch is around £200 so don't want to spend £100 plus on a strap...

Many thanks

[Fallingup]

xyz123 said:

Hi, bit of a watch novice here... have a tissot which is on a leather strap. (I will try to get a picture up later). I am guessing all watches have easily replaceable straps.

I want to replace leather one with a metal one. Any recommendations for where to source a decent strap and fixings. Watch is around £200 so don't want to spend £100 plus on a strap...

Many thanks

First you have to know what size it is. Measure the gap between the lugs (where the strap fits to the case). This will tell you what width of bracelet you need. You need to be exact. Then measure your wrist to get a rough idea of how long the bracelet needs to be. Most are adjustable by a centimeter or so. After that have a look on Amazon. There will be loads of choice. Most half decent ones will come with new spring bars. Or you could use the original ones. Fitting is a bit fiddly so if you don't want to scratch the case using a penknife then a springbar removal tool will be best. A cheap one should do the job. Some bracelets come with a curved end piece designed to fill the gap between the end of the bracelet and the watch case. As there are so many sizes it will be the luck of the draw if you get one that fits so just get a bracelet with a straight end. There will be loads of videos on youtube showing you how to change a strap. Just be very careful when you do it as they tend to want to suddenly fly off and disappear as if by magic!

Edited by Fallingup on Monday 1st April 19:24

Edited by Fallingup on Monday 1st April 20:00

[xyz123]

Fallingup said:

xyz123 said:

Hi, bit of a watch novice here... have a tissot which is on a leather strap. (I will try to get a picture up later). I am guessing all watches have easily replaceable straps.

I want to replace leather one with a metal one. Any recommendations for where to source a decent strap and fixings. Watch is around £200 so don't want to spend £100 plus on a strap...

Many thanks

First you have to know what size it is. Measure the gap between the lugs (where the strap fits to the case). This will tell you what width of bracelet you need. You need to be exact. Then measure your wrist to get a rough idea of how long the bracelet needs to be. Most are adjustable by a centimeter or so. After that have a look on Amazon. There will be loads of choice. Most half decent ones will come with new spring bars. Or you could use the original ones. Fitting is a bit fiddly so if you don't want to scratch the case using a penknife then a springbar removal tool will be best. A cheap one should do the job. Some bracelets come with a curved end piece designed to fill the gap between the end of the bracelet and the watch case. As there are so many sizes it will be the luck of the draw if you get one that fits so just get a bracelet with a straight end. There will be loads of videos on youtube showing you how to change a strap. Just be very careful when you do it as they tend to want to suddenly fly off and disappear as if by magic!

Edited by Fallingup on Monday 1st April 19:24

Edited by Fallingup on Monday 1st April 20:00

Thank you for detailed reply. I will look on amazon. I guess next task is to pick up a decent looking one which matches the undoubtedly great looking pictures that will be up on amazon...

[AlasdairMc]

Also consider Watchgecko as their range is good. I have a NATO and a leather strap from them and I’m impressed with the quality and value of both.

https://www.watchgecko.com/metal-watch-straps

[Juicetin1]

Also recommend Geckota metal bracelets, sold by Watchgecko. I have a couple and they're very good quality. If you want curved end links to fit flush with your watch, you can buy them separately and they aren't too much of a pig to fit (unless you're fitting to a Christopher Ward C7 Rapide !)

[smithyithy]

Strapcode: https://www.strapcode.com/

Very popular, I have their 'Super Oyster' on my Seiko SKX007, it's really good. £48 on Amazon at time of purchase.

[Miguel Alvarez]

A good hint is to put masking tape on the lugs to help avoid scratches as you try and change the straps.

[craig1912]

This is excellent for the price- put one on my holiday watch and it feels much more expensive than it is.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07F238H7R/ref...