Straps, cases and storage
Watch Straps in Dublin
Leather, steel and fabric straps, plus travel cases, from the Powerscourt counter. Buy a strap here and we fit it while you wait.
- Leather straps
- Steel bracelets
- Fabric & adjustable
- Cases & storage
- Fitting included
- Spring bars checked
Choosing
Which strap suits your watch
Changing a strap is the cheapest way to make a watch feel like a different piece. Here is the honest version of what each material is like to live with, and what to keep it in when it is not on your wrist.
Ask us what fits
Vintage JLC on tan leatherLeather
The classic dress option, and the one that flatters a vintage case best. It softens to the wrist within a fortnight. It will not last forever. Expect a year or two of daily wear. Still the cheapest way to change how a watch looks. Best for dress watches, vintage pieces, anything gold or two-tone.
Stainless steel
Effectively permanent, and usually the strap the watch was designed around. Heavier on the wrist than leather, easy to clean, and unbothered by rain or sweat. Sizing matters more here, because links have to be added or removed properly. Best for sports watches and daily wear.
Fabric and adjustable
Light, washable and the most forgiving of a wrist that changes size through the day. The quickest way to make a formal watch look relaxed, and the easiest to swap yourself once the size is right. Best for summer, travel and casual wear.
Travel cases
A zipped case is the difference between a scratched crystal and an intact one. Worth having if a watch ever goes in a bag rather than on your wrist.
Display boxes
Lined boxes with a cushion, for the piece that lives on the dresser rather than in a drawer. Check the cushion size against a larger case before buying.
Collection storage
Storage for a collection that has outgrown a drawer. Watches stored touching each other is how most bracelet scratches happen.
Fitting included
Buy a strap here and we fit it while you wait. We check the spring bars at the same time.
Worn spring bars are the reason most watches end up on the pavement. They cost almost nothing to replace.
Getting it right
Fit, sizing and spring bars
- Step 1
Lug width decides everything
The gap between the lugs, measured in millimetres, determines which straps will physically fit. It is almost always an even number: 18, 20, 22. Bring the watch and we will measure it rather than have you guess.
- Step 2
Bracelet sizing is a bench job
Removing or adding links on a metal bracelet takes the right tool and a steady hand. Done badly it scratches the finish or leaves a pin that works loose. We size bracelets while you wait.
- Step 3
Spring bars wear out
The small sprung pins holding the strap on are the reason most watches end up on the floor. They are inexpensive, they fail without warning, and it is worth replacing them whenever you change a strap.
- Step 4
Fit it slightly loose
A strap should move a little on the wrist. Worn tight it traps sweat against the leather and against the case back, which shortens the life of both.
The important role of wristwatch accessories
The wristband of a treasured wristwatch represents a very personal item. Many people maintain a definite preference for specific styles and colours of wristbands. At Watchempire we carry a broad selection, and many customers enjoy returning frequently to review the latest available styles.
Some watches have interchangeable straps, letting you change them to match different outfits. Buying a variety of these useful items means you can flatter a specific ensemble rather than wearing the same combination every day.
A new strap changes the watch
Metal bracelets vary in colour, shape and size. Most straps and bracelets eventually wear out, and you will find replacement parts for these versatile, in-demand accessories here. If we do not carry a particular size or colour in stock, let us know and we will keep an eye out for it.
A leather or metal strap is not just a component of your timepiece but a contributor to the overall impression of the watch. Metal straps usually belong to the watch permanently, while leather straps do not last forever, but looking after them extends their life considerably.
Strap And Watch Care
Cases and storage
Somewhere to keep them
Travel cases, display boxes and storage for a collection that has outgrown a drawer.
Straps and accessories
Questions about fit and wear
It is set by the lug width: the gap between the two lugs where the strap sits, measured in millimetres, and almost always an even number. If you do not know it, bring the watch in and we will measure it in a moment. Guessing is the most common reason a strap bought online does not fit.
Yes, and usually while you wait. Fitting is included when you buy a strap from us. We will also check the spring bars at the same time, since worn ones are the usual reason a watch ends up on the pavement.
Yes. Bracelet sizing is routine and done at the counter. If your bracelet is short of links we can often supply them, though matching the finish on an older bracelet is easier if we can see the watch.
Worn daily, typically a year or two. Sunlight, humidity, perfume and hand cream all shorten that considerably. Rotating between two straps roughly doubles the life of both, because leather needs time to dry out between wears.
Not the value. Straps are consumable and everyone accepts they get replaced. Keep the original if it came with one, particularly on a signed buckle, because that is the part collectors care about.
Of course. Most strap fittings we do are on watches bought elsewhere. Bring it in and we will find something that suits it.
Get in touch
Bring the watch. We will measure it.
Straps, cases and storage from the Powerscourt counter. Bring the watch so we can measure the lug width, or call 01 679 9107 and describe it.