Spring Bar Tools & Spring Bars
A spring bar is the small cylindrical pin that holds a watch strap to the watch case — two spring bars, one between each pair of lugs, each with a compressed spring inside that pushes outward to lock the bar in the lug holes. Every watch strap change requires either compressing these spring bars to remove the old strap and fit the new one, or — with quick-release spring bars — simply pressing a lever to release them without tools.
CNS Watch Bands stocks both the tools and the bars across multiple specifications. All CNS watch straps ship with spring bars included, but having a quality spring bar tool and a stock of spare bars on hand means strap changes are faster, safer, and never interrupted by a missing or failed bar.
Whether you search for spring bar tool, watch strap tool, watch band removal tool, watch strap removal tool, or spring bar removal tool — all CNS options are listed on this page.
Spring Bar Tools
Spring Bar Tool (standard) — the essential watch strap changing tool. A forked tip compresses the spring bar end to release it from the lug hole, allowing the strap to be removed and replaced. Available in chrome silver and matte black. The most widely used watch tool in existence — straightforward, reliable, and effective for any standard spring bar.
Spring Bar Tool 2.0 — an updated version with improved tip geometry for better access on watches with tight lug clearance. Particularly useful for watches with closed or semi-closed lugs where the standard tool has limited access.
Spring Bar Tool with Extra Tips — includes multiple interchangeable tip sizes for different spring bar configurations and lug clearances. The most versatile option for buyers who work with multiple watches across different lug configurations.
Spring Bar Tools vs Bergeon 6767
"Bergeon 6767" (480 searches) and "Bergeon 6767-F" are consistent queries from buyers specifically seeking the premium Swiss spring bar tool. CNS does not stock Bergeon tools — Bergeon is a specific Swiss watchmaking tool brand. CNS spring bar tools deliver the same function — compressing and releasing spring bars safely — at an accessible price point. For buyers specifically seeking the Bergeon 6767, it is available from specialist watchmaking tool retailers.
How to Use a Spring Bar Tool
"How to use a spring bar tool" is a consistent query from first-time strap changers. Here is the complete process:
- Insert the forked tip between the strap and the watch lug, locating the small groove on the end of the spring bar
- Push inward to compress the bar and release it from the lug hole
- Work one side at a time — compress one end, swing the strap clear, then compress the other
- To fit new bars: compress the bar as you position it between the lugs, then allow it to expand into the lug holes
- Check both sides are fully seated — the bar should sit flush and the strap should not move laterally
For watches with quick-release spring bars, no tool is needed — press the small lever on the side of the bar with a fingernail to release.
Spring Bars
Standard Spring Bars — the conventional watch strap spring bar. A solid cylindrical pin with a compressed spring that pushes outward into the lug holes. Available in lug widths from 16mm to 24mm matching the CNS strap collection. Require a spring bar tool to fit and remove.
Quick Release Spring Bars (1.75mm) — a spring bar with a small lever that, when pressed with a fingernail, releases the bar from the lug hole without a separate tool. Allows strap changes in seconds with no risk of scratching the case. The 1.75mm diameter suits the majority of sport and dress watches.
Quick Release Spring Bars (1.45mm) — the slimmer quick-release variant for watches with tighter lug holes. Typically suited to watches where the 1.75mm bar is too large to compress fully into the lug hole.
Fat Spring Bars — a thicker diameter for watches with wider lug holes where the standard bar does not fill securely. Prevents the strap from sitting loose or rotating on the lug — the correct solution for watches where standard spring bars produce a sloppy fit.
Which Spring Bars Do I Need?
Standard spring bars — correct for most watches. If your watch came with conventional spring bars and you are fitting a CNS strap, standard bars in the correct lug width will work.
Quick release 1.75mm — the most practical upgrade. If you change straps frequently, quick release bars eliminate the tool entirely. Compatible with most sport and dress watches including 20mm and 22mm references.
Quick release 1.45mm — if 1.75mm bars do not fit securely in your lug holes, the 1.45mm is the correct choice. Typically needed on watches with thinner, tighter lug constructions — often 18mm dress references and ladies' watches at 16mm.
Fat spring bars — if your standard spring bars fit but feel loose or allow the strap to move laterally on the lug, fat bars fill the lug hole properly.
Note on the Blancpain x Swatch Fifty Fathoms Scuba Frogskin — this watch uses screw-in lug pins rather than spring bars, requiring a 0.9mm hex key for strap changes. Standard spring bar tools do not apply. See 22mm watch straps for Blancpain x Swatch compatible options.
Spring Bar Sizes by Lug Width
Spring bars are sized by lug width — the gap in millimetres between the two lugs on your watch case. Order spring bars in the same width as your watch strap:
| Lug Width | Common Watch Examples |
|---|---|
| 16mm | Ladies' dress watches, Michele |
| 17mm | Cartier Tank Solo, vintage dress |
| 18mm | Slim dress, Nomos, Junghans, ladies' sport |
| 19mm | Vintage Rolex references |
| 20mm | Omega Seamaster, Seiko SKX, Tudor Black Bay, Rolex Submariner |
| 21mm | Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36mm |
| 22mm | Tudor Pelagos, IWC Pilot's Watch, Breitling Navitimer |
| 24mm | Panerai Luminor |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a spring bar? A spring bar is the small cylindrical pin that holds a watch strap to the watch case. It sits between the two lugs on each side of the case, with a compressed spring inside that pushes outward to lock the bar in the lug holes. Every traditional watch strap is held in place by two spring bars.
Do I need a spring bar tool? For standard spring bars, yes — a spring bar tool is required to compress the bar and release it from the lug hole when changing straps. For quick-release spring bars, no — the lever mechanism allows release with a fingernail. All CNS Watch Bands straps ship with spring bars included.
What is the difference between a spring bar tool and a watch band removal tool? The same tool — "spring bar tool", "watch band removal tool", "watch strap removal tool", "watch strap changing tool", and "spring bar removal tool" all describe the same forked instrument used to compress and release spring bars when changing watch straps.
What size spring bar do I need? The lug width of your watch determines the spring bar length. A 20mm watch needs 20mm spring bars. The diameter (1.45mm or 1.75mm for quick release, standard for conventional) depends on your specific watch's lug hole size.
What is the difference between quick release and standard spring bars? Standard spring bars require a spring bar tool to compress and release. Quick release bars have a small lever that releases with fingernail pressure, allowing tool-free strap changes in seconds. Quick release bars are the practical choice for collectors who change straps frequently.
What size quick release spring bars fit most watches? The 1.75mm quick release spring bar fits the majority of sport and dress watches at 18mm to 22mm. The 1.45mm slim variant is needed for watches with tighter lug holes — typically slimmer dress watches and ladies' references.
All CNS Watch Bands spring bar tools and spring bars ship with standard delivery worldwide. 30-day return policy.