Choosing Straps for Watches with Non-Standard Lug Sizes

How to Find Straps for Odd Lug Sizes

Recently, we’ve had quite a few customers ask how to find straps for watches with odd lug sizes like 19mm or 21mm. While these sizes aren’t as common as 18mm, 20mm, or 22mm, there are still ways to make it work.

If you’re looking for a straightforward solution, our Ribbed Single Pass Black Strap is available in both 19mm and 21mm. It’s a great option for those in-between sizes and a reliable, stylish choice for everyday wear.

Why aren’t there as many options for these sizes?

It comes down to demand. Most watches use standard lug sizes, so odd sizes like 19mm or 21mm don’t see as much production. While we’d love to offer all our straps in these sizes, it’s just not practical right now due to the production costs and lower demand. That said, we’re always keeping an eye on what customers want. If interest in odd sizes grows, we’d definitely explore expanding our offerings in the future!

In the meantime, you’ve got two main options: sizing down or sizing up. Each comes with its pros and cons, so let’s go through them in detail.

Sizing Down With Nylon Straps - The Simplest Option 

The simplest solution is to go with a smaller strap. For example, if your watch has a 19mm lug width, an 18mm strap will work just fine.

When you size down, you’ll notice a tiny 0.5mm gap on each side of the lugs. For most people, this gap is barely noticeable and doesn’t impact the functionality or look of the watch. In fact, this was once a common trend with some of the first mil-spec watches! 

Sizing Up With Nylon Straps - A Bit More Complicated 

Sizing up can be a bit more challenging, but it’s not impossible. For example a 20mm strap can fit a 19mm lug width, but a few factors come into play:

Strap Thickness: Thinner straps are easier to work with when sizing up. Options like our Original Double-Pass, Ribbed Single Pass, Shark Fin, or AlphaPremier to name a few have slimmer profiles, making them more flexible and easier to maneuver through the lugs.

Watch Design: If your watch has a tight gap between the case and the spring bars, you might find it harder to fit a strap with a thicker profile. In contrast, watches with more space around the lugs are more forgiving and allow you to adjust the strap more easily.

When sizing up, you’ll need to “scrunch” the strap material near the spring bars to make it fit. Nylon straps are great for this because they’re durable and flexible. However, straps with denser weaves or thicker profiles, like the AlphaShark or Orca, may require more effort—or might not fit at all. In the photo below it's a little harder to see, but if you focus your eyes on the left side of the watches lugs you can see the the strap is scrunched to fit and the strap itself bows inwards slightly at the connection points. 

What About Rubber Straps?

FKM Rubber straps are less flexible than nylon. Sizing up with rubber straps is usually not an option because the material around the spring bars is too rigid to compress. 

For odd lug sizes, sizing down is your best bet. That said, rubber straps with quick-release spring bars can add an extra step to the process. You’ll need to remove the pre-installed quick-release spring bar. You might find that with some pliers, you can wiggle the spring bar out, but in most cases, snapping the quick-release lever off with pliers and then sliding the spring bar out is going to be the easiest option. Once that’s removed, you can install the correct size spring bars and attach the strap with a spring bar tool. You’ll still have a slight gap on each side of the strap and the watch’s lug, but it’ll be minimal.

Need Help?

We get it—working with odd lug sizes can be tricky, and every watch is different. If you’re unsure about what will work best for your watch, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to answer your questions and help you find the perfect strap!


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