The wrong width is the most common (and the only irreversible) mistake when ordering a new watch strap online. A strap that is even one millimetre off can neither be forced in nor made to fit. Here are three ways to measure correctly before you order.
If you still have your old strap, this is the easiest: measure straight across, from the inside of one spring bar hole to the inside of the other, with an ordinary tape measure. If you don't have an old strap, measure the distance between the lugs – the attachment points on the watch case itself – with a calliper or ruler, exactly as we describe in our guide to changing your watch strap. Still unsure, or don't have the watch in front of you right now? Search for your model below and we'll show you the lug width straight away.
Can't find your model in the search above, or just want a quick overview? The vast majority of watches fall into one of these four standard widths:
We stock leather, Nato and rubber watch straps in all four widths – browse leather watch straps, Nato straps or rubber watch straps and filter by your width.
The most common mistake is going by the watch's case diameter instead of the distance between the lugs – two 42mm watches can have anything from a 20 to a 22mm lug width. The second most common is confusing the width at the case with the width at the buckle; they are almost always different, and it is always the width at the case that determines which watch band fits.
Measuring correctly takes less than a minute and saves you from sending back a strap that never stood a chance of fitting. Once you know your width, see our guide to changing your watch strap for the swap itself, including tools and spring bars.