replacing a strap
Discussion
My daily wearer is a 2006 TAG Monza on a brown leather strap.
The strap is falling apart and is basically hanging on by a thread. I looked at how much a new strap from TAG was and it turns out it is the thick end of £150.00 so sod that. Ended up buying a new leather strap off ebay for 30 quid which looks fine, although how it will wear is yet to be seen.
Anyway, in terms of changing the strap I would quite like to do it myself, but cant see that there is any easy way of removing the strap from the case.
I could obviously go to a local jewellers and pay a fiver or whatever it is for them to take 5 mins to change it over, however I saw this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WATCH-BAND-STRAP-LINK-PIN-RE...
and its only 4 quid. I can see how it would work on a metal strap, but on a leather strap there is no external way to get to the pin, so I'm scratching my head as to how it will work..
The strap is falling apart and is basically hanging on by a thread. I looked at how much a new strap from TAG was and it turns out it is the thick end of £150.00 so sod that. Ended up buying a new leather strap off ebay for 30 quid which looks fine, although how it will wear is yet to be seen.
Anyway, in terms of changing the strap I would quite like to do it myself, but cant see that there is any easy way of removing the strap from the case.
I could obviously go to a local jewellers and pay a fiver or whatever it is for them to take 5 mins to change it over, however I saw this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WATCH-BAND-STRAP-LINK-PIN-RE...
and its only 4 quid. I can see how it would work on a metal strap, but on a leather strap there is no external way to get to the pin, so I'm scratching my head as to how it will work..
That is definitely NOT going to help.
The strap is likely held in place by a collared springbar that looks like this:
You need a tiny screwdriver that you can slip between the lug and the strap to push the head inwards and the strap will slide out with ease. Changing a watch strap is like making love to a beautiful woman - approach her slowly from behind, slip it in, wiggle about a bit and withdraw when you're done.
The strap is likely held in place by a collared springbar that looks like this:
You need a tiny screwdriver that you can slip between the lug and the strap to push the head inwards and the strap will slide out with ease. Changing a watch strap is like making love to a beautiful woman - approach her slowly from behind, slip it in, wiggle about a bit and withdraw when you're done.
Edited by ShadownINja on Tuesday 7th September 21:15
That is for removing links on a type of bracelet ( i have one but a little punch and a tiny hammer is better)
you want something like this
Bergan spring bar tool fine
http://www.watchtool.co.uk/bergeon-6767f-spring-to...
you want something like this
Bergan spring bar tool fine
http://www.watchtool.co.uk/bergeon-6767f-spring-to...
That tool won't help in the slightest with your Monza.
IIRC, the Monza has a steel deployant clasp with a long crocodile span at 6 o'clock which feeds through the clasp, this part unclips and slides free. Both parts (6&12 o'clock) are released from the case by use of a thin pen knife blade. Simply slide the blade between the edge of the strap and the inner case side, feel for a ridge on the spring bar and ease away from the case side (horn). I think the spring bar attaching the 12 o'clock span to the deployant clasp is released in the same manner.
I checked on the price of a Monza croc strap for a client recently, and was quoted c£300. Again, IIRC the Monza accepts an 18mm strap, have a look at the Hirsch range for 18mm croc you might find something something suitable.
Hope this helps.
DH
I think Swiss Tony/Shadowninja has summed this up quite succinctly....
IIRC, the Monza has a steel deployant clasp with a long crocodile span at 6 o'clock which feeds through the clasp, this part unclips and slides free. Both parts (6&12 o'clock) are released from the case by use of a thin pen knife blade. Simply slide the blade between the edge of the strap and the inner case side, feel for a ridge on the spring bar and ease away from the case side (horn). I think the spring bar attaching the 12 o'clock span to the deployant clasp is released in the same manner.
I checked on the price of a Monza croc strap for a client recently, and was quoted c£300. Again, IIRC the Monza accepts an 18mm strap, have a look at the Hirsch range for 18mm croc you might find something something suitable.
Hope this helps.
DH
I think Swiss Tony/Shadowninja has summed this up quite succinctly....
Edited by Dominic H on Tuesday 7th September 21:16
If you're in the Kingston area, I'm happy to supervise if you're unsure but you have to take full responsibility should the worst happen and you slip, cutting off your right leg. I can even provide the tools plus a watch to practice on before committing to the real thing.
Edited by ShadownINja on Tuesday 7th September 22:41
ShadownINja said:
If you're in the Kingston area, I'm happy to supervise if you're unsure but you have to take full responsibility should the worst happen and you slip, cutting off your right leg. I can even provide the tools plus a watch to practice on before committing to the real thing.
Quite a kind offer, but after 15 minutes of faffing around with a mini nail file, its sorted.Edited by ShadownINja on Tuesday 7th September 22:41
Tag croc straps do seem to be extremely expensive (£300+) and very poor quality.
The BIL's Carerra croc strap fell to bits in two years. My Omega strap of similar age, worn daily, still looks pristine.
He replaced it with a £30 Crocodile style leather strap from Watchstrapworld.
Looks a pretty close match and good quality.
The BIL's Carerra croc strap fell to bits in two years. My Omega strap of similar age, worn daily, still looks pristine.
He replaced it with a £30 Crocodile style leather strap from Watchstrapworld.
Looks a pretty close match and good quality.
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff