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Picking an Apple watch strap!

Choosing an Apple watch strap can be confusing so here is a little breakdown to assist you in picking the right one. 

The Apple watch comes in 4 different sizes (38mm, 40mm,  42mm and 44mm) with a variety of strap combinations.

If you have an Apple watch that came with the leather strap option (see photo below), you can fit The StrapSmith straps to it with out the use of after market adapters.  You will need some patience and a pentalobe screwdriver.  If you have an Apple watch with another style of band i.e. the leather strap that fits all the way into the case, a rubber strap, a metal bracelet you will need a set of the after market adapters which I have under ACCESSORIES >> ATTACHMENT HARDWARE. 



38/40mm Apple Watch  -  If you have a 38mm or 40mm Apple Watch that came with the leather strap then you do not have to use the adapters and will need a 20mm wide strap.  If you have any other version of the 38mm  or 40mm other than the one that came with the leather strap OR If you want to use adapters then you will need a 22mm wide strap as the adapters accomodate a wider strap.

42/44mm Apple Watch  -  If you have a 42mm  or 44mm Apple Watch that came with the leather strap and don't want to use adapters you will need a 22mm wide strap.  If you have any other version of the 42mm other than the one that came with the leather strap OR if you want to use adapters then you will need a 24mm wide strap as the adapters accomodate a wider strap.


Video: How to assess the width you need for an aftermarket strap.


Length:  Expressed in mm with the first number indicating the length of the buckle piece and the second the length of the tail. To know what length you need you can take a piece of string or flexible measuring tape and wrap it around your wrist where you wear your watch. You can lay the string out and measure it in inches. The reference measurements below let you know what length to order so that the fit will be similar to the original strap. You should consider if you like your strap to fit longer for a more vintage look or if you have a smaller case you can go a little longer as well, you may want to go shorter if you have a case larger than 47mm wide.

6.0" - 6.49" (15cm - 15.9cm)    =  75mm x 120mm  (strap length)
6.5" - 6.9 (16cm - 17.5cm)     =  75mm x 125mm
7.0" - 7.49" (17.6cm - 18.9cm)   =  80mm x 130mm
7.5" - 7.9" (18.9cm - 20cm)      =  85mm x 135mm
8.0" - 8.49" (20.1cm - 21.3cm)   =  90mm x 140mm
8.5" - 9.0" (21.4cm - 23cm)      =  100mm x 150mm


Here is a video explaining how to change the strap on Apple Watch versions that come with the leather strap using the pentalobe screwdriver.  You can order any strap off the site and build it at 20mm, 22mm or 24mm wide.  There is a spot while ordering to write what watch the strap will be for.

Here is a blog post with more on the Apple watch and changing out straps.


                   Style that will work without adapters