Swapping a buckle is one of the easiest ways to refresh the look of a strap or switch to a deployant clasp — and it takes less than two minutes once you know how. No watchmaking experience needed. Here's how to swap your buckle cleanly and confidently at home.
What You'll Need
Ideal: A spring bar tool. The forked end compresses the spring bar safely and gives you precise control.
No tool? Use any of these:
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A toothpick (works well on standard pin buckles)
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A SIM card ejector pin
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A thin flathead screwdriver or butter knife — anything slim enough to fit inside the strap slot
Step 1: Locate the Buckle Pin
Flip the strap tail over and find the short spring bar that holds the buckle frame onto the strap. It sits in a small horizontal channel cut into the strap's tail end. You'll see the pin tips recessed slightly on either side.
Step 2: Compress the Spring Bar
Insert the forked end of your spring bar tool (or toothpick) into the gap between the buckle bar and the strap. Push inward on one side of the pin to compress the spring. While holding it compressed, angle the buckle frame slightly — the pin will clear the channel on the compressed side and the buckle will come free.
Tip: Work over a soft surface like a cloth or your palm. Spring bars are small and will disappear the moment they pop free.
Step 3: Slide the Old Buckle Off
Once the pin clears the channel, the buckle frame slides straight off the strap tail. Keep hold of the spring bar if it comes loose — you'll need it for the new buckle.
Step 4: Attach the New Buckle
Thread the strap tail through the frame of the new buckle. Compress the spring bar pin, position it above the strap channel, and release — it will snap into place. Give it a gentle tug to confirm it's seated correctly on both sides.
Step 5: Check the Fit
Close the buckle as you normally would. Make sure the pin sits flush in the channel with no lateral movement. If it rocks or feels loose, the spring bar may not be fully seated — press the buckle frame down firmly and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need a special tool to change a buckle?
No. A spring bar tool makes the job cleaner and reduces the risk of slipping, but a toothpick or SIM ejector pin works for most standard buckles. A spring bar tool is worth having if you swap straps regularly.
Q. My spring bar flew out and I can't find it. What do I do?
Work over a light-coloured cloth next time to catch it. If it's lost, spring bars are inexpensive and sold individually or in packs — make sure you buy the correct diameter and length for your strap.
Q. Can I reuse the same spring bar with a new buckle?
Yes, as long as the spring bar is the correct width for the new buckle's channel. If the buckle is a different width from the original, you'll need a matching spring bar.
Q. What width spring bar do I need?
The spring bar should match your buckle width — typically 2mm narrower than your lug width (e.g. a 20mm lug strap uses an 18mm buckle and an 18mm spring bar). Check the product listing or contact us if unsure.
Q. I scratched the strap while trying to remove the buckle. How do I avoid this?
Wrap the tip of your tool with a small piece of tape, and work slowly. Most scratches happen when the tool slips — using the forked end of a proper spring bar tool rather than a solid pin gives you much better grip and control.
Q. Can I swap to a deployant clasp instead of a pin buckle?
Yes. The process is identical — a deployant clasp attaches to the strap tail the same way via a spring bar. Make sure the clasp width matches your strap's taper width.
What to Read Next
Buckle sorted. Here are the other JackCoHenry guides worth having in your back pocket:
→ How to Change Your Strap — the full step-by-step guide to swapping an entire strap
→ Watch Strap Sizing Guide — get your lug width, strap length, and buckle width right
→ Watch Strap 101 — understand the basics of strap anatomy, taper, and style