Changing my Tudor GMT strap myself??

[Z1ppster]

hey guys had my GMT for a couple of months now and I've finally got round to purchasing the leather strap for it ( I wanted both but bought it on the SS)

I have Bergeon 6767-F tool but do I need to use a tweezer tool I dont want to damage the lugs and I assume that releasing one side at a time with this tool will mark the lugs??

any suggestions or should I just take it to a shop to change over ?


Thanks in advance

Andy..

[Ian Macdermott]

The tool you have is fine just be careful and maybe tape the lugs. I use it to change straps all the time. Yes my watches have a few marks on the inside of the lugs but it's a watch and I got over it. As I tend to wear my watches they all have marks on them it's inevitable that over time your watch will accumulate similar scars.

[1William]

Watch the YouTube videos and get the right tools. Practice and don't get upset about any marks. It can be frustrating at times but practice makes it easier.

[Stevec14]

Originally Posted by Ian Macdermott

The tool you have is fine just be careful and maybe tape the lugs. I use it to change straps all the time. Yes my watches have a few marks on the inside of the lugs but it's a watch and I got over it. As I tend to wear my watches they all have marks on them it's inevitable that over time your watch will accumulate similar scars.

This....


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[Gary G]

As above really. Take pics won’t you! May I ask how much the strap cost and did you go with the deployment clasp also?

[timlaw]

i have the same tool and am getting quite good at the strap changes after a few practices

the inside of the lugs might get a small mark but it is brushed so a couple of psses with a scotch guard pad and good as new

[samson66]

Tudors are a PITA to change, but take your time and tape the lugs. Took me like 10 frustrating minutes to get the bracelet off my black bay. Putting them on is easier than taking them off

[Z1ppster]

thanks guys but I dont understand the tape the lugs comments.. as I dont see how I can tape anything? (see pic)

ive buckled and bought a tweezer tool today so hopefully I can change the strap without marking the case lugs at all..

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Z1ppster

thanks guys but I dont understand the tape the lugs comments.. as I dont see how I can tape anything? (see pic)

ive buckled and bought a tweezer tool today so hopefully I can change the strap without marking the case lugs at all.

Tape the back side of the lugs, the part facing you in that picture. When you put a strap on, the springbars and tool can scratch the back of the lugs. It's less of an issue when you are removing, but it's still possible the removal tool could slip and scratch them. I used painters tape which worked well

[Z1ppster]

Originally Posted by samson66

Tape the back side of the lugs, the part facing you in that picture. When you put a strap on, the springbars and tool can scratch the back of the lugs. It's less of an issue when you are removing, but it's still possible the removal tool could slip and scratch them. I used painters tape which worked well

Thanks for the explanation

ah ok makes sense, so its not the inside of the lug ie the metal between the hole and the outer casing . I assumed this was what people are tying to preserve

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Z1ppster

ah ok... so its not the inside of the lug... I assumed this was what people are tying to preserve

I thought it was the area inside of the lugs as well.

Looking at your pic though, that would be hard to tape, if at all possible.

Learned something new

Thanks guys!



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[samson66]

Originally Posted by Z1ppster

Thanks for the explanation

ah ok makes sense, so its not the inside of the lug ie the metal between the hole and the outer casing . I assumed this was what people are tying to preserve

Some people will try to protect the inside of the lugs but honestly I don't know how and I don't bother. Any scratches to the insides will be covered up by the band anyway.

[samson66]

You can tape the back of the lugs and fold a tiny bit of tape over the insides but that can make is harder to get the bracelet in. The tolerances are so tight on Tudors, there is basically no gap between the bracelet and lugs. If anyone has a trick for it I'm all ears

[Friar]

I have taped the "backside" of the lugs--that is, the parts showing in your photo. When you reinstall a strap, one end of the spring bar will rest against the backside of the lug and if your tool slips the lug can easily be scratched. Just tear a small piece of painters tape and cover that part. Rip off when done. Now, I did that once or twice and then realized that the scratches won't show and I had accumulated just as many on parts of the case that did show through normal wear. YMMV

[josephvman]

Tudor cases are particularly difficult to change straps on compared to Rolex. Lots of tape and take your time. Magnifying glasses with a light help a lot.

[onemany]

It's not only the spring bars and spring bar tool you have to worry about scratching the lugs. When you put the bracelet back it's fairly easy to nick the inside edge of the top of the lug with the bracelet if you are inserting the bracelet wrong. I'm more concerned about those kind of dings.

[dubins930]

There will be scratches, no matter who changes it. Just take your time and don't sweat the little stuff. Much easier said then done on a new watch i get it

[Z1ppster]

thanks guys ill let you know how I get on later when it arrives..

cheers

[Z1ppster]

quick update, thanks again for all the help, changed it over very easily using the tweezer tool without any damage ..

really please with the look but obviously I now have the best of both worlds (SS bracelet and leather strap)

a few pics to share!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/29TzQZe]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/28vCaYX]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/29TzQXR]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/28N6qej]

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Z1ppster

quick update, thanks again for all the help, changed it over very easily using the tweezer tool without any damage ..

really please with the look but obviously I now have the best of both worlds (SS bracelet and leather strap)

Looks great! Nice job getting it changed over. I have a thread on here about my frustrations changing out my Black Bay blue. I was close to throwing it out the window I was getting so mad LOL.

Can I ask how much they charged for the OEM leather strap? Did you just order that at the same AD where you bought the watch?

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by Z1ppster

quick update, thanks again for all the help, changed it over very easily using the tweezer tool without any damage ..

really please with the look but obviously I now have the best of both worlds (SS bracelet and leather strap)

a few pics to share!

Looks great. Which strap is that? It’s not the Terra di Siena....

[Shakini]

Liking that clasp as well - nice job OP!

[Z1ppster]

Thanks again all, it’s a genuine Tudor black bay strap and clasp however I wanted a lighter brown so I chose it off a black bay 41 model.. really like the look and feel and I also like the fact it’s not 100% the same as other people’s ����

Clasp in the uk was £165 and leather strap is £130.. I know it’s excessive but I wanted to buy on SS bracelet originally as it’s more expensive to buy afterwards. Besides I also have a craving to buy a dark blue croc strap and use with this clasp..

Very versatile ����

[Stevec14]

Looks great. I have both the strap and bracelet too. A very versatile watch