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Here we have gathered answers to the most common questions about watch straps – from choosing the right width and material to changing your strap at home and what the different strap types are called. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Email us – we normally reply within 24 hours.
Measure the distance between the lugs – the two "horns" on the watch case where the strap attaches. That inner measurement is your lug width. Use a calliper or an ordinary ruler. The width is always given in millimetres. The most common widths are 18 mm, 20 mm and 22 mm. If you fall between sizes, always choose the nearest whole millimetre down, not up. If it's easier, you can also measure the width of your current strap right next to the case.
Here are the standard widths of some popular watches as a guide:
Can't find your model? Visit our watch strap guide with brand-specific pages or email us.
The buckle is usually 2 mm narrower than the strap. So a 20 mm strap takes an 18 mm buckle, and a 22 mm strap takes a 20 mm buckle. This applies to most standard watch straps – the exceptions are mesh and link bracelets, which have integrated clasps.
On the vast majority of watches – yes. Any watch with standard lugs and spring bars can take any strap in the right width. The exceptions are watches with proprietary fittings, such as Apple Watch, Tissot PRX, Garmin Fenix (with quick release) and integrated bracelets on watches like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Check that your watch doesn't have a proprietary fitting before you order.
A Nato strap is a one-piece nylon watch strap that runs underneath the entire watch case – under both spring bars. The original Nato design was developed by the British Ministry of Defence (Defence Standard 66-47) in the 1970s to give watches a more secure fit: even if one spring bar fails, the watch stays on your wrist because the strap passes under the case. Today Nato straps are popular for being lightweight and durable, and because you can change colour and pattern in under a minute without tools.
Both are one-piece nylon straps that run under the watch, but they are built differently. Nato straps are thinner with smaller metal rings, giving a slimmer, more streamlined look. Zulu straps are made from thicker nylon with heavier stainless steel rings, for a more rugged, military-inspired feel. Zulu straps suit larger watches with 22–24 mm lugs especially well. Want a light, discreet everyday strap? Choose a Nato. Want maximum ruggedness? Choose a Zulu.
FKM (fluoroelastomer) is a high-performance synthetic rubber originally developed for industrial use and used by watchmakers such as Rolex, Omega and IWC. FKM withstands extreme temperatures (–20 °C to +200 °C), UV radiation, salt, chlorine and most chemicals. Silicone is softer and cheaper but degrades faster with UV exposure and chemical contact. If you're choosing a rubber watch strap for diving, sport or daily swimming, choose FKM.
Perlon straps (also called braided nylon straps) are made from a single continuous nylon thread woven into an open structure. The result is a light, airy strap that is easy to adjust – you can use any point along the whole strap, not just the pre-punched holes of a leather strap. The style is timeless and suits dress watches and vintage models well.
The Marine Nationale (or "MN strap") is an elastic one-piece strap inspired by French Navy equipment from the 1970s. It is known for its characteristic stripes – usually blue/red or black/grey – and its elasticity gives a comfortable, self-adjusting fit without a buckle. The Marine Nationale was originally fastened around the watch with a simple fold and a loose keeper, and it stays secure whatever you're doing.
Sailcloth watch straps are made from the same type of technical sail fabric used in ocean racing – a material with extremely high tensile strength, a fast drying time and very low weight. The texture of the weave gives the strap a distinctive, nautical look. Sailcloth is popular on watches such as the Rolex Yacht-Master, Omega Seamaster and Tudor Pelagos.
For summer we recommend nylon Nato straps, FKM rubber watch straps or sailcloth. These materials handle sweat, sun and water without fading or breaking down. Leather straps are best avoided in heat and humidity – sweat and water break down the leather fibres and shorten its life considerably. Steel mesh also works well, but it can get hot against the skin in direct sunlight.
For formal occasions, a classic leather watch strap in black or dark brown, a polished steel mesh strap, or a Jubilee- or Oyster-style link bracelet works best. Avoid Nato and rubber straps with a suit – they look too sporty. To read more, see our guide to the best watch straps for parties.
That depends entirely on the material and how you use it. Nylon Nato straps typically last 1–3 years with daily wear – the nylon can start to fray and the hardware can lose its finish. Leather straps last 1–5 years depending on how you care for them and whether you keep them away from water. FKM rubber straps can last 5–10 years. Steel and mesh last more or less indefinitely as long as the clasp works. A good rule of thumb: replace your strap when it starts to smell, crack or when the buckle no longer holds properly.
Leather watch straps need a little care to last. Avoid water and moisture – never submerge a leather strap, and take your watch off when you shower or swim. Let the strap air after sweating. Treat it with leather conditioner or coconut oil once or twice a year to keep the fibres supple. Store it dry and out of direct light when not in use.
Yes, nylon Nato straps are easy to wash. Remove the strap from the watch and wash it in lukewarm water with a little washing-up liquid. Scrub gently with a soft brush if there is dirt in the weave. Rinse thoroughly and let it dry at room temperature – avoid the tumble dryer. With daily wear, wash your Nato strap every 4–8 weeks.
Steel and mesh are best cleaned with a soft toothbrush, lukewarm water and a drop of washing-up liquid. Scrub gently in the gaps between the links where dirt collects, rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. To restore the shine, polish with a microfibre cloth. Steel handles water without any problem – it's the clasp you should check regularly.
You need a spring bar tool – a small forked tool. Always work from the back of the watch so that any scratches end up out of sight. Place the watch on a soft surface so the crystal doesn't get scratched. Insert the fork between the strap and the lug, catch the shoulder of the spring bar and push the spring-loaded bar sideways while easing the strap out. Do the same on the other side. Fit the new strap in reverse order – the short piece (with the buckle) at 12 o'clock and the long piece at 6 o'clock. Always tug the strap afterwards to check the spring bar is seated properly. You'll find spring bar tools in our watch strap tools section.
A Nato strap doesn't need any tools. Thread the long end down through the top spring bar (at 12 o'clock), under the watch case and out through the bottom spring bar (at 6 o'clock), then pull it through and fasten the buckle. The short end with the buckle should sit at 12 o'clock and the long end at 6 o'clock. The strap passes under the watch, which is the whole point of the Nato design.
Quick release is a system where the spring bar has a small lever that lets you push it out with your fingertip – no tools needed. It lets you swap straps in under ten seconds, which is handy if you often change your watch strap to suit the occasion. The downside is that the mechanism adds a little bulk and can, in rare cases, release accidentally. If you value convenience and like to change straps often, choose quick release.
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Shipping is free worldwide on orders over €59. Below €59, shipping costs €5.95 within the EU and €8.95 to countries outside the EU. We ship from Malmö, Sweden. Orders placed over the weekend are dispatched by the following Monday at the latest.
When your order is dispatched you'll receive a confirmation email with tracking information. Haven't received an email after 3 working days? Check your spam folder first. Then get in touch via our contact page with your order number – we'll help you track your parcel.
We pack and dispatch orders quickly, so changes can be hard to catch in time. Contact us via our contact page straight after placing your order – we'll do everything we can to help.
Yes, we ship worldwide. Shipping is free worldwide on orders over €59; below that it costs €5.95 within the EU and €8.95 outside the EU. Questions about delivery to your country? Contact us.
You have a 14-day right of return. Contact us via our contact page with your order number and what you'd like to return – we'll send you instructions. The item must be unused and in its original condition. Return shipping is paid by the customer. Once we have received and approved the return, we refund the amount to your original payment method within 3–5 banking days.
We have detailed guides to straps for Garmin, COROS, Polar, Suunto and Amazfit – visit our watch strap guide and choose your brand. Apple Watch uses a proprietary slide-in fitting that isn't compatible with standard spring bars – we don't currently sell Apple Watch-specific straps.
In our watch strap guide you'll find brand-specific pages for Seiko, Omega, Tudor, Hamilton, Tissot, TAG Heuer, Longines, Citizen, IWC, Breitling, Garmin, COROS, Polar, Suunto and more. Choose your brand to see exactly which width and style suit your model.
Email us – we'll sort it out.
