Can you change your watch strap every day ?

Many Type E collection owners find themselves asking this after the first few days: can you change your watch strap daily, or is it better to stick to one? The short answer is yes, as long as you use the right tool and don't rush it.

A straightforward swap, with the right tool

Changing your watch strap every day causes no mechanical issues. Our original straps are fitted with quick-release pins, so you can swap them easily without any tools at all. If you want to use a strap without quick-release pins, you'll need a spring bar tool to remove and reattach it correctly, and to avoid marking the case in the process.

What you'll need

A good spring bar tool is the one essential. It lets you remove and refit the spring bars without damaging the brushed and satin-finished lugs. Keep a soft cloth handy to rest the case on so it doesn't come into contact with a hard surface, and store the original strap somewhere dry when it's not in use rather than leaving it exposed to dust.

How to change the strap

1. Place the watch face down on a soft cloth, to avoid any direct contact between the dial and a hard surface.
2. Locate the spring bar inside the lug on the side where you want to start.
3. Insert the tip of the tool into the gap between the spring bar and the lug, then push gently to compress the spring.
4. Slide the strap free from the lug once the bar is released, without forcing against the metal.
5. Repeat on the other side, then on the second lug of the case.
6. Position the new strap by aligning the spring bars with the lug holes, and check that they click into place before releasing the tool.
7. Pull gently on the strap once fitted, to confirm it's secure before putting the watch on.

How often can you swap without affecting the case?

There's no limit to how often you alternate straps, as long as you handle the case carefully each time. If you're not yet comfortable with the spring bar tool, a watchmaker or jeweller can do the swap in a few minutes. That's also the best option if you're uncertain whether a strap is compatible with the AJ-003 case.

Mistakes to avoid

Never force the spring bar tool if the bar resists. This damages both the bar and the lug, and can leave a permanent mark on the brushed finish. Always work on a soft cloth rather than a bare surface, to prevent the case from picking up scratches if it shifts. And if you own straps with different widths, check the spring bar length before reusing one across straps. A bar that's too short won't hold properly and may detach unexpectedly.

Before buying a spring bar tool, look for one with a fine tip suited to smaller cases rather than a generic wide-tip model, which is more likely to slip and mark the metal around the lugs.

The original leather strap is generally easier to work with than metal bracelets. Its flexibility gives you more room to insert the tool without forcing. Keep an eye on the fixed keepers though: they can shift slightly during a swap and just need to be repositioned by hand once the strap is back in place.

Further reading

Our guide to choosing a strap for the Type E collection helps you pick the right material for your lifestyle, and our strap cleaning guide explains how to care for each of your options between swaps. Done carefully, alternating straps becomes a simple habit that lets you adapt your AJ-003 to any occasion without ever putting the case at risk.