Swatch strap “do-it-yourself” (update)

So I got my first Swatch watch and I did say in my last but one Post review that the rubber strap was pretty comfortable. However that said, one of the issues with thick rubber straps and large buckles (as the Irony Swatch watch here has) is the strap is a little bulky, resulting in the watch not always lying as flat as one might like.

New strap - craft knife and a bit of care. — Do-it-yourself black non Swatch standard silicon deployment strap – a craft knife and a bit of care.

But what to do? Especially as Swatch watches tend to have those non-standard case/strap fittings, which is all very fine but replacement straps have to be Swatch and in fact a nice after market earner for Swatch with third party ones short on the ground. That said, Swatch are one of the few around that don’t charge silly prices for their replacement straps, but you might like I do here, want an alternative for your own reasons. And with the Irony series the “dovetail” fittings are often tricky to replace if you go do off OEM.

However as I’ve just found out, it’s not impossible. If you have reasonable do-it-yourself craft knife skills, you can make a standard, easily sourced strap fit OK. And it’s not rocket science, believe me.

Original strap removed - simple push through pin — Original strap removed – simply push through pin

One measurement is required initially to determine the basic strap size and that’s to measure the overall width of the strap where it meets the Swatch case – or more accurately the outer edge of the lug to lug distance measurement is required initially to determine the basic strap size and that’s to measure the overall width of the strap where it meets the Swatch case – or more accurately the outer edge of the lug to lug distance.

Once you have checked it and in the case of this Irony model would you believe it – it’s just about 23 mm wide and not your average size. So basically we’re either using 22mm or 24mm strap and in this case the 22 mm fits OK. The larger size is too wide for the case/strap fitting and looks wrong.

To remove the original strap – simply push the pin inwards until it sticks out the other end. Then grip the protruding end with pliers and pull the pin straight out. The strap is now clear of the watch case as shown above.
Note that the Swatch strap end is quite thick with a rounded profile compared to normal straps, but fortunately the 22 mm Silicon deployment strap is thick enough to manage. Taking note of the cut dovetails in the end of the Swatch strap and using a craft knife or similar with the original strap as a template, cut through the gaps to make a copy of the dovetail shape on the new strap.

Use the original strap as a template - cut through with craft knife — Use the original strap as a template – cut through with craft knife. You can also use notching pliers, though they are better used on leather.

This is THE most important and delicate part of the operation, so take care! Be careful not to make the slots too long – otherwise when offered to the case there will be unsightly gaps. Too short however and you won’t be able to push the new strap in far enough to locate the pin. But err on the small side anyway – you can always cut more if required.

First trial - cut out a new green silicon strap as the original dovetail end — First trial – cut out a new green silicon strap as the original dovetail end

Once done, it should look pretty much like the original dovetail strap from Swatch, as shown.

Do the same for the other end of the strap and you are good to go.

Offer the new strap up to the case, hold it tight in against the case and once aligned, slip the pin in as far as it will go. Then simply hold the watch towards a hard surface and push down gently, keeping the strap end well into the dovetail slots on the case – the pin slides in and you’re done.

IMPORTANT – although with rubber straps it’s easy as they are almost self-lubricating, other materials may be stiffer. So when pushing the pin in and be gentle at first, then steadily push the pin STRAIGHT in till it’s just within the case hole. If your watch case is steel or aluminium it’s easy, but take extra care if your case is plastic – they could split if forced.
However with some silicon deployment straps the hole is slightly larger than Swatch pin holes so it’ll easily slide in. Also don’t worry about the pin falling out – you have a total of 7 aligned holes to slide the pin through, 4 rigid metal ones and 3 flexible silicon ones – the pin has to go though them all – friction alone holds it secure.

Decided on a 22 mm black standard silicon deployment strap from Ebay.

However the maxim in this operation is “take care” and if you do then it should really not be a problem.

So there you are – a little bit of do it yourself, with only a pair of pliers (to pull out the pin) a sharp craft knife (mine is an old Stanley) a standard 22 mm silicon deployment strap from ebay and a Swatch replacement strap is certainly doable.

Note – My first effort with the spare 24 mm black strap worked OK with my copy template idea, but the strap was just too wide for the watch. Decided I’d try again but with a similar green one, as the original). A 22mm width this time was perfect and took me just 10 minutes from start to finish.

A business opportunity? Well maybe for somebody – but me – I’m retired!

OK here’s the update –

22 mm deployment strap from Ebay - cut to size for Swatch Irony. — 22 mm deployment green silicon strap from Ebay – cut to size for Swatch Irony.

Finished article - standard 22 mm silicon strap cut to fit - just DIY at the end of the day. — Finished article – standard 22 mm silicon strap cut to fit – just DIY at the end of the day.

I’d it as before (slightly neater now) and slid the pins in and all went OK. Have to admit the new green strap looks just great and compliments the dial colour scheme as it should.