When a strap loop breaks, splits or goes missing, the whole watch becomes uncomfortable: the free end of the strap lifts, catches on your sleeves and can even end up letting the buckle come undone. Replacing the loop requires no knowledge of watchmaking. In the vast majority of cases, a few minutes and a little patience are all it takes.
Before you start
Check that the new loop is the right width, in other words the same as the strap at the point where it will sit. Our guide Measuring the width of your watch strap explains how to measure it. For a smartwatch, make sure the loop is made for your model.
Work on a clear table, ideally on a soft cloth so as not to scratch the case. If possible, take the watch off your wrist: the strap is much easier to handle when it is lying flat.
Step 1: remove the old loop
If the old loop is broken, you can often just pull it free of the strap. If it is still in one piece but damaged or stretched, slide it towards the free end of the strap, the end with the holes, until it comes right off. Don't force a leather loop or one made of hardened plastic: as a last resort, nail clippers or small scissors will cut it off cleanly, taking care not to nick the strap.
Take the opportunity to clean the strap where the loop sits, as dust and sweat tend to build up there. Soapy water is fine for silicone and plastic straps; a barely damp cloth is enough for leather.
Step 2: fit the new loop
The loop goes on from one of the two ends of the buckle side of the strap, depending on how the watch is made:
- From the free end: this is the most common case. Offer the loop up to the tip of the strap, the end with the holes, then slide it along until it is close to the buckle. The tip, which is often narrower and rounded, makes it easier to get the loop on.
- From the buckle: on some straps, the free end is too wide or has an end piece that prevents the loop from passing. The loop then has to go on from the buckle side, which may mean removing the buckle. This is the case in particular with Casio G-Shock, Baby-G and Edifice straps, where the buckle has to be removed to replace the loop.
Once in place, the loop should sit just after the buckle. Then fasten the watch as usual: the free end of the strap slips into the loop and stays flat against your wrist.
Removing the buckle, if necessary
When the buckle has to come off, it is usually held by a small spring bar. Compress the bar with the tip of a suitable tool or a thin object, without slipping so as not to mark the strap, then free the buckle. Thread the loop on, put the buckle back and check that the spring bar is properly engaged on both sides before wearing the watch.
Tips for successful fitting
- A new loop is often tight: this is normal, and in fact a sign that it will hold well. Work it along in small movements, twisting it slightly one way then the other rather than pulling it in one go.
- Silicone gives a little: a silicone loop can be gently stretched to help it on, and then returns to its shape. It also loosens slightly over the first few days of wear, which makes it easier to handle.
- A little soapy water: a drop on a silicone or plastic strap helps the loop slide. Wipe carefully afterwards.
- Leather and steel: these loops do not stretch. If the loop will not move along even though the width is right, check the thickness of the strap at that point rather than forcing it.
- Keep a spare loop: on a hard-working sports watch, having one in reserve means you won't be left without a loop at the wrong moment.
After fitting
Wear the watch for a few minutes and check that the end of the strap stays in place as you move your wrist. If the loop turns around the strap or slides too easily, it is probably too wide: measure the strap again where the loop sits. To choose a material suited to your strap and the way you use your watch, see the guide Choosing the material for your strap loop.