Watch Strap Size Guide: How to Measure, Choose and Change Your Watch Strap
By Robert · · 4 min read
A new strap is the quickest way to make an old watch feel new, or to give one watch a completely different look for the office and the weekend. The key is getting the size right. This guide explains how to measure your watch strap size, which materials to choose and how to change a strap.
We stock genuine leather watch straps in 20, 22, 24 and 26 mm, and our watch repairs team in Nairobi can fit them for you.
The One Measurement That Matters: Lug Width
The lugs are the two pairs of "horns" on the watch case that hold the strap. The lug width is the gap between them, measured on the inside, in millimetres. Your new strap must match this width exactly.
The most common lug widths are:
- 16 to 18 mm: most ladies' watches and small dress watches
- 20 mm: many men's watches around 38 to 42 mm
- 22 mm: most men's watches around 42 to 46 mm
- 24 mm and above: large and sporty watches
How to Measure Lug Width
- Take the old strap off if you can, or measure the strap itself right where it meets the case.
- Use a ruler with millimetres, or digital calipers if you have them.
- Measure the inside gap between the lugs, not the outside edges.
- Round to a whole number. Straps come in whole millimetres. If you measure 21.5 mm, measure again, as you are probably slightly out.
- Check the old strap. Many straps have the size printed on the back, for example "22/20", which means 22 mm at the lugs and 20 mm at the buckle.
You can also find the size on many product listings. For example, the Binbond 860 Business has a 22 mm band, and the Binbond J888 has a 20 mm band.
Strap Length
Strap length matters too. Measure around your wrist bone with a soft tape or a piece of string, then add about 1 to 2 cm for comfort. Standard men's straps suit most wrists of about 16 to 20 cm. If your wrist is very slim or very large, let us know when you order.
Which Strap Material Should You Choose?
- Genuine leather: classic and comfortable, ideal for the office and formal events. Keep it dry, as water stains and weakens leather. Our leather straps come in several colours.
- Stainless steel bracelet: durable and smart, and easy to clean. It needs links removed for a good fit.
- Mesh: light and modern, and often self-adjustable, like the Hannah Martin Ladies 1251.
- Silicone or rubber: best for the gym, hot weather and wet days.
Matching Strap Colour to the Watch
- Black leather: the safest choice for black or white dials and formal wear.
- Brown leather: pairs well with gold, rose-gold, white and blue dials, and with brown shoes and belts.
- Match your metals: use a buckle colour that matches the case (silver with steel, gold with gold).
Watches that look great on leather include the Tevise 867C automatic and the CRRJU 2212 chronograph.
How to Change a Watch Strap
Most straps are held on by spring bars, small spring-loaded pins between the lugs.
- Lay the watch face down on a soft cloth.
- Use a spring bar tool (or a fine blunt tool) to push the spring bar end inwards and ease the strap out.
- Fit the spring bar into the new strap.
- Push one end into its lug hole, compress the other end and slide it into place.
- Tug the strap firmly to check both ends have clicked in.
Many leather straps also have quick-release pins with a small lever, so you can swap them by hand.
If the spring bars are tight, the lug holes are hidden, or you are fitting a metal bracelet, it is safer to let a watchmaker do it. A slipped tool can scratch the case, and a spring bar that is not seated properly can drop your watch.
Adjusting a Metal Bracelet
Metal bracelets are sized by removing links, which are held by pins or screws. Remove links evenly from both sides of the clasp so the clasp sits under your wrist. This needs the right tools, so we recommend having it done in the workshop.
Need a New Strap?
Shop our genuine leather watch straps, or bring your watch to our watch repairs service for strap fitting and clasp repairs. For other common faults, see our guide to watch repair in Nairobi.
