Classic Strap and Bracelet Removal Tool

The tool has been tested on lugs from 14 mm up to 26 mm, covering the vast majority of watches on the market. The two included tips — V-shaped and straight — handle both spring bars with a visible hole in the lugs and spring bars in blind lugs without a hole. It has been verified on references from Rolex, Omega, Panerai, IWC, Seiko, Grand Seiko and Apple Watch, among others. There are no limitations related to strap material: leather, rubber, FKM, nylon and silicone are all compatible.

The straight tip is inserted into the side hole of drilled lugs, engages directly with the spring bar pin and allows precise leverage without slipping. The V-tip is designed for blind lugs — i.e. without a hole — and grips the body of the spring bar by working on lateral tension. Using the wrong tip increases the risk of scratching the lugs or causing the spring bar to snap off in an uncontrolled manner. Changing the tip takes just a few seconds: unscrew the mounted one and hand-tighten the other.

No: Rolex Oyster, Jubilee and President bracelets use side screws in the links, not spring bars accessible from the outside. These bracelets require a dedicated screwdriver kit with flat tips of 0.8–1.2 mm. The Classic tool is instead the correct choice for removing the bracelet from the watch when the connection between case and bracelet is made via standard spring bars, a situation found on many other models even with metal bracelets.

The body is milled from solid aluminium with CNC machining, the same process used for precision mechanical components, and provides sufficient rigidity for thousands of use cycles without deformation. The interchangeable stainless steel tips resist oxidation and maintain the tip profile even after intensive use. The knurled grip ensures control even with wet hands or work gloves. The screw-on protective caps preserve the tips when the tool is stored in its case, preventing dents that could compromise gripping precision.

The most frequent mistake is applying the tip directly onto the bezel or case flank instead of positioning it in the gap between the lug and the spring bar. The tip should be inserted at 45° into the lug, keeping the body of the tool parallel to the strap to distribute the force onto the pin and not onto the plating. A second common mistake is using the straight tip on blind lugs: without a hole to rest against, the tip slips and can score the metal. It is always recommended to protect the case with 0.1 mm PTFE tape before working on valuable watches.