How To Replace Nike Watch Bands

Wondering how to replace watch bands on a Nike watch? There are several ways that watch bands are normally held to watches (if they are removable at all). If yours is removable, it will normally be held in place either with screws or spring bars. We shall discuss both, but in most instances spring bars are used, screws are normally used only on expensive watches.

The items needed to replace the band on your Nike watch.

• Replacement watch band
• Spring bar tool or watchmakers case knife
• Screwdriver
• Polishing cloth

1. Determine type of band. Examine your watch strap to determine the type to buy. Does it come off? If so, is it a proprietary end? Does the watch band have an unusual end style? Notched end style? A design? Is it flat or have a replacement end link? If it is proprietary, you will have to buy a new band by Nike model number. If not, you can buy an after-market band.
2. Measure band. If you can use an after-market band, measure the width of the band. What you are measuring here is the width of the band between the lugs. Normal widths for men's watches are eighteen, twenty, 22 and 24 millimeters. Watchbands are sold in millimeter measurements.
3. Buy band. This is where you order a proprietary band or buy a replacement. You can also choose at this point to buy either a leather or nylon strap, or a metal bracelet. They are both available in replacement bands and in proprietary bands.
4. Remove old band. Use the appropriate tool to remove the old band. If it has a screw, it will have holes drilled in the sides of the lugs and you will see a screw head. Use the screwdriver that fits perfectly and unscrew the screw. If the watch uses spring bars, you will need the spring bar tool or case knife. A spring bar is a tiny spring-loaded pin. Use the flat side of the spring bar tool and slip it in along the band to grab the end of the pin; they will often have shoulders which make this easier. You then depress the pin and slide it out gently. Take great caution here to make sure the spring bar does not fly away; they can travel great distances and are hard to find when they do. Take note how the band is attached to the watch. You will want to orient the new strap in a similar manner. Clasps will want to be positioned the same and you will not want to put the watch on upside down.
5. Replace new band. Using the same tool you used replace the band. When replacing spring bars, use great care. The trick here is to put one end of the spring bar in a hole in the lug, compress the end until the other end slips inside of the lugs and move it slowly until the second end slips into the other hole. Work slowly here and try to insure that you do not move over the edge again and let the spring bar take off. Do not worry, we all do it occasionally. Most of us end up buying replacements and have spares for future jobs.
6. Polish watch. Use the polishing cloth and polish fingerprints off the watch.

You have successfully replaced the band on your Nike watch. Do not worry, we all put the strap on backwards or upside down and lose a spring bar occasionally. We have found that you can occasionally find missing spring bars in the vacuum when you empty it.