Watches

[Shevin Keedy]

If I want to put a new band on a watch I own--specifically want to replace a metal band with a leather strap--are there any rules (practically or stylistically) I should follow? Should I just take it to a shop and have them replace or should I find a strap online and do it myself? Or should I keep wearing my rubber strapped Garmin instead and not pull out the old watch?

Just measure the width and replace it yourself. That's what I do anyway, some are easier to do than others; most of my Seikos have drilled lugs and they can be done in seconds, others are a bit fiddly but still easy to do.

Buying online is cheaper and you can get exactly what you want.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

If I want to put a new band on a watch I own--specifically want to replace a metal band with a leather strap--are there any rules (practically or stylistically) I should follow? Should I just take it to a shop and have them replace or should I find a strap online and do it myself? Or should I keep wearing my rubber strapped Garmin instead and not pull out the old watch?

Piece of cake, just need a springbar tool (cheap); try searching Marc's (Long Island Watches) 'Watch & Learn' series on YouTube.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

Piece of cake, just need a springbar tool (cheap); try searching Marc's (Long Island Watches) 'Watch & Learn' series on YouTube.

Saved you 20 seconds @SerenityNigh , if you haven't done it already...

 

[verreauxi]

If I want to put a new band on a watch I own--specifically want to replace a metal band with a leather strap--are there any rules (practically or stylistically) I should follow? Should I just take it to a shop and have them replace or should I find a strap online and do it myself? Or should I keep wearing my rubber strapped Garmin instead and not pull out the old watch?

Pretty simple to do it yourself. The important thing is, of course, making sure the strap width matches the distance between the lugs (lug width). Most straps are usually 18, 20, 22mm in width and this should match the width between the lugs. You can remove the metal band with a small eyeglass screwdriver (or springbar tool).

This video is helpful. And note that many places that sell straps online, sell them with spring bars (the little “pressure pins that attach the strap onto the case) included.



Places to buy straps include the following:

Watch Prince.com
Strapsco.com

If you’re gonna wear the watch in wet weather opt for silicone/rubber. Though leather is also nice, it just won’t keep long if it repeatedly gets wet.

Roughly: black leather is more dressy looking and brown is a bit more casual sporty.

NATO straps are the nylon ones that are cheaper and come in loads of colors. Good for summer and all-weather conditions.

 

[TrailerTrash]

Some stunners out today.
View attachment 207531

That's a pretty thing.

 

[b-rad]

I would recommend the watch forum watchuseek.com It's a large forum that has a huge reach. However, I seem to recall that you need to be a member of this forum for like 100 posts (so as to establish credibility) before you can list a watch for sale. In general, you'll get far more $$ selling it yourself than if you sell it to a business that deals in used sales (e.g., in the USA, Govberg Jewelers, Crown and Caliber, etc.). But selling it yourself is not without hassles, such as determining who pays for shipping, whether or not you are willing to ship internationally (I would avoid this option), and whether they buyer is trying to scam you, etc...

100 posts, and 90 days - and "speed posting" to bump up post count purely to gain access to the sales forum will get your posts removed and a black mark against your name.
Unless you're close to meeting the requirements, or in no rush and happy to join a community and participate, I'd go with eBay when they have their regular offers on reduced seller fees. I always tend to list with Buy It Now and accept offers. The offers let me vet potential buyers so I can sell to whoever seems like a good buyer based on feedback.

 

[Bedfordblue]

That's a pretty thing.

Indeed the way the bezel sort of integrates with the curve of the glass is pretty cool.

 

[The binman chronicles]

That's a pretty thing.

It's only £5600, at that price may as well get a couple - one for knockabouts and one for best.

 

[TrailerTrash]

It's only £5600, at that price may as well get a couple - one for knockabouts and one for best.

The most I ever spent on a watch was £1800, and I shall never do that again. It's currently sat at the bottom of the Persian gulf.

£5600, pfft.

 

[Bedfordblue]

The most I ever spent on a watch was £1800, and I shall never do that again. It's currently sat at the bottom of the Persian gulf.

£5600, pfft.

I assume it’s a dive watch

 

[TrailerTrash]

Nope!

 

[The binman chronicles]

The most I ever spent on a watch was £1800, and I shall never do that again. It's currently sat at the bottom of the Persian gulf.

£5600, pfft.

Very kind of you to donate it to the fish to be able to tell the time.

What happened?

 

[Bedfordblue]

The most I ever spent on a watch was £1800, and I shall never do that again. It's currently sat at the bottom of the Persian gulf.

£5600, pfft.

Cost a bit more than £1800 to replace with a current one!

 

[Rita_Poon]

Down in the deep with vardy's agents phone? If you have the receipt do you have it insured?

 

[TrailerTrash]

Very kind of you to donate it to the fish to be able to tell the time.

What happened?

Working on the hydraulics on the side of the ship I was working on, and the clasp opened.

It glistened beautifully as it sank under the surface.

I may have sobbed.