How-To
We've created a few write ups to help you with the removal of your old strap or bracelet, as well as the installation of your new Crown & Buckle strap. It is a very easy process that can be completed in less than ten minutes. As always, if you have any questions about the steps below, feel free to contact us.
Some general tips:
- Setup your work area on a nice open surface, such as a kitchen table.
- Lay down a towel on the table to protect the watch from scratches, and to keep things from rolling away.
- Always work from the back side (under side) of your watch. That way, if you slip with your tool or spring bar and scratch the watch, it won't be visible.
- Don't rush anything. Needless scratches on an expensive watch can be pretty painful!
Our tutorials are listed below. Click on any tutorial to jump down to it. Click on any photo to enlarge it.
Removing
Installing
Modifying
Removing a Metal Bracelet
Step 1:
This step is optional, but it makes life easier. On the clasp of the bracelet, depress and remove the micro-adjustment spring bar from the clasp (use the push-pin end of your spring bar tool). This will allow the bracelet to spread apart, giving you better access to the back of the watch.
Step 2:
On the back side of the watch, where the bracelet meets the watch case, there will be two recesses on each side. These recesses let you insert the forked end of your tool onto the spring bar ridge. Apply pressure away from the watch case (towards the bracelet) to depress the spring bar.
Step 3:
With the spring bar depressed, you will need to wiggle the bracelet end out of the watch lug. You might have to depress both ends of the spring bar, making sure the other end doesn't snap back into the hole. The bracelet end generally fits tightly into the lugs, so this step might take a few tries.
Step 4:
Once you get one end out, repeat the same steps on the other end. You are all finished, and ready to install your new strap! Back to top.
Removing a Strap (Leather, Rubber, etc.)
Step 1:
From the back side of your watch, insert the pronged (forked) end of your spring bar tool in between the strap and the watch lug. The spring bar has a ridge that the tool will grab, allowing it to compress.
Step 2:
Gently apply pressure inwards towards the strap (away from the watch) to depress the spring bar. At the same time, apply some downward pressure so the bar will pop out. If you press to hard/fast, the tool may slip and damage your strap or scratch your watch.
Step 3:
Repeat on the other side, and you are all done! Remove the spring bars from the old strap, and reuse them to mount your new strap. Back to top.
Install a Leather/Rubber Strap
Step 1:
Slide your spring bars into the hole on the long and the short end of the strap. Push them all the way in so they are centered inside the strap.
Step 2:
Install the short end of the strap (the end with the buckle). It goes on the top of the watch (the end of the watch with 12 o'clock). From the back side of your watch, insert one end of the spring bar into the hole on the watch lug.
Step 3:
Use your spring bar tool to depress the other end of the spring bar, so that slides inside the watch lug. Make sure both ends of the spring bar securely snap into their holes, or the strap will fall off the watch.
Step 4:
Repeat the process on the other end of the watch. Remember, the long end of the strap (with the holes) goes on the bottom of the watch (the end with 6 o'clock). You are all finished! Back to top.
Install a NATO/1-Piece Strap
Step 1:
Install both spring bars onto the watch lugs. I usually just do this with my finger, but you can use the spring bar tool if the spring bars are being difficult. Be careful not to scratch your watch.
Step 2:
For NATO straps only: Pull the long part of the strap out of the floating keeper, so the two layers of the strap are separated.
Step 3:
Orient the strap so the keepers and the buckle face up (same direction as the watch face). Begin on the top of the watch (the end of the watch with 12 o'clock). Insert the strap between the spring bar and the watch case, and pull through.
Step 4:
Now you will do the same thing on the bottom of the watch (the end with 6 o'clock) and pull the long part of the strap back through, this time from the bottom. Again, you will pull the strap in between the watch case and the spring bar.
Step 5:
For NATO straps only: Pull the long part of the watch strap back through the floating keeper. Pull it all the way through, and snug the floating section of the strap up to the watch case.
Step 6:
Adjust the watch head on the strap so it is centered between the keepers (NATO only), and you are all finished! To change to another NATO, just do these steps in reverse up to Step 2. You do not need to remove the spring bars to change between NATO straps! Back to top.
Trimming a NATO Strap
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