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Is it possible to put on a new strap and not scratch the watch?

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hi all. I’m on vacation. The watch store has this nato strap I think would look great on my speedy. They have a watch maker on premises. I hear so many stories about scratched watches and new straps. Is it possible to change straps, without damaging the watch?


I know this question is dramatic and over the top, but I really dont want a scratch. I also want a new strap. Am I being ridiculous with my worry?

Thank you.
 
Meme-Dweller
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Masking tape, proper tools, steady hand, experience, and breathing exercises. I do it all the time without scratches.
 
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Meme-Dweller Meme-Dweller
Masking tape, proper tools, steady hand, experience, and breathing exercises. I do it all the time without scratches.
I’d ask the watch maker there to do it for me. Can I ask that they use tape?
 
Evitzee
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I do all my strap/bracelet changes, I'll do a better job than some 'watchmaker'. Good tools, good light, a little tape and confidence gets the job done with no scratches.
 
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Evitzee Evitzee
I do all my strap/bracelet changes, I'll do a better job than some 'watchmaker'. Good tools, good light, a little tape and confidence gets the job done with no scratches.
I no experience or tools
 
bsowers34
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I no experience or tools
I won't do it myself, the OB manager put the bracelet on my Snoopy 50 VERY carefully. But I will not swap out straps and bracelets for just this reason.
 
bsowers34
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1 1ststatestereo
hi all. I’m on vacation. The watch store has this nato strap I think would look great on my speedy. They have a watch maker on premises. I hear so many stories about scratched watches and new straps. Is it possible to change straps, without damaging the watch?


I know this question is dramatic and over the top, but I really dont want a scratch. I also want a new strap. Am I being ridiculous with my worry?

Thank you.
Not dramatic to me at all. I will size a bracelet, but no way am I risking scratching the lugs on a 9-10-12k watch.
 
apsm100
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I've only damaged my watches a few times in the last decade strap switching pretty regularly.
Not bad for being too lazy to tape!

I mostly wear natos now so I barely ever need to take the spring bars off.

I had lots of practice on cheaper watches and wouldn't recommend learning on an expensive watch.
 
Tag0935
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I no experience or tools
So imagine that 99 times out of 100, the watchmaker changes the strap without leaving any mark, but the one case they work on your watch and mark it. They say sorry, no refund, it is just barely noticeable. But you will know it is there and it will bother you. But you will be helpless and angry. Take the responsability into your hands, buy a proper tool and masking tape and do it yourself. It isn't rocket science. Your watch will get scratched over time anyway. I change straps and bracelets on all my watches. It is no big deal. Try it.
 
Tag0935
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bsowers34 bsowers34
Not dramatic to me at all. I will size a bracelet, but no way am I risking scratching the lugs on a 9-10-12k watch.
It is just like with cars. The first scratch hurts, you get sad, but carry on.
 
YVR785
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Who cares, it’s just a watch! Scratch the lugs up. It’s on the underside anyway.
 
winndixie
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YVR785 YVR785
Who cares, it’s just a watch! Scratch the lugs up. It’s on the underside anyway.
I would care. Depends on how deep and can it be seen. Alas, I hate things that are damaged. Sold my car after 6000 miles. At 1600 miles, someone side swiped me. I had it repaired, but it felt off. Could be my neurosis. Ended with a new car. Money out the door.
 
Walrus
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winndixie winndixie
I would care. Depends on how deep and can it be seen. Alas, I hate things that are damaged. Sold my car after 6000 miles. At 1600 miles, someone side swiped me. I had it repaired, but it felt off. Could be my neurosis. Ended with a new car. Money out the door.
Impressive neurosis
 
Dan S
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I'm in the camp that says a few scratches is a first-world problem that isn't worth worrying about. I can't relate to the notion that minor damage should be such a concern.

However, judging by the comments in this threa , apparently there are a lot of people who require everything they own to be absolutely pristine.
 
blufinz52
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I agree with Evitzee and Dan S. Buy a decent spring bar tool, watch a video or two on changes bracelets, take your time and you'll be rockin that Speedy on your new Nato strap. Let us know how it goes.
 
YVR785
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winndixie winndixie
I would care. Depends on how deep and can it be seen. Alas, I hate things that are damaged. Sold my car after 6000 miles. At 1600 miles, someone side swiped me. I had it repaired, but it felt off. Could be my neurosis. Ended with a new car. Money out the door.
I totally get this school of thought but it’s really tough to live like this. Life’s too short to worry about your possessions getting damaged.

The only damage I worry about when it comes to watches is drops on concrete/tile floor. Speaking of which, I dropped my SMP 300M on tile (accidentally) recently. It wasn’t fun.
 
dsio
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Having good tools makes a big difference as does using good quality new springbars each time. The only time I've damaged a watch changing straps is when it's a vintage watch with an old crusty springbar or even worse a twist-o-flex bracelet.

I've mentioned this in the past, when I'm dealing with an uncooperative springbar on an old strap or twist-o-flex, I don't even mess around with it I just grab the Knippex tin-snips, cut the bracelet or strap off about a half-inch from each lug, then I cut the springbar right down the middle and replace it with a brand new set of OEM Omega springbars.

I then use a Bergeon 6767 and they come off pretty easily. I used to use the cheap eBay copies of the 6767 and they weren't sharp enough and bent easily, I kept using them until one of them snapped and a flying tip bounced off my eyeball, since then I only use the overpriced Bergeon one so if I end up wearing an eyepatch I'll blame the Swiss.
 
Rocketeer61
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Dan S Dan S
I'm in the camp that says a few scratches is a first-world problem that isn't worth worrying about. I can't relate to the notion that minor damage should be such a concern.

However, judging by the comments in this threa , apparently there are a lot of people who require everything they own to be absolutely pristine.
I don't mind scratches from use. Scatches on the lugs are another story because they are preventable.
 
apsm100
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Rocketeer61 Rocketeer61
I don't mind scratches from use. Scatches on the lugs are another story because they are preventable.
All scratches are preventable. 😉
 
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