Changing a watch strap is one of the simplest and most effective ways to transform the look and feel of your timepiece. The right strap can take a watch from the office to the track, from casual to formal, or simply give a familiar watch a fresh new character. But with so many options available, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to choose the right watch strap — from measuring your lug width to matching materials to occasions.

Step 1: Measure Your Lug Width

Before anything else, you need to know your watch's lug width — the distance between the lugs (the protruding parts of the case where the strap attaches). This is measured in millimetres and is the single most important factor in strap compatibility.

Common lug widths are 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, and 22mm. Most Marchand watches use a 20mm lug width, which is one of the most widely supported sizes — giving you access to a huge range of aftermarket straps.

You can measure lug width with a digital calliper, or simply check your watch's specification sheet.

Step 2: Choose Your Material

Watch straps come in a wide range of materials, each with different characteristics:

• Leather — classic, versatile, and available in many finishes. Best for smart-casual to formal wear. Requires some care to maintain.
• Rubber/Silicone — durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean. Ideal for sport watches and active use.
• NATO/Nylon — casual, lightweight, and available in many colours. Great for everyday wear and summer use.
• Rally (perforated leather or rubber) — motorsport-inspired, ventilated, and highly characterful. Suits chronographs and sport watches particularly well.
• Mesh/Bracelet — metal options that offer a more formal, integrated look.

Step 3: Match the Strap to the Watch

Not every strap suits every watch. Here are some general principles:

• Chronographs pair well with rally straps, leather straps, and rubber straps — all of which reference the watch's sporting heritage
• Dress watches suit slim leather straps in tan, brown, or black with a simple pin buckle
• Dive watches work well on rubber, silicone, or NATO straps that can handle water exposure
• Field watches suit canvas, NATO, or rugged leather straps

Step 4: Consider the Occasion

One of the great advantages of swappable straps is the ability to adapt your watch to different settings. A Marchand Driver Chronograph on a black rubber rally strap is perfectly at home trackside; the same watch on a tan leather strap works equally well at a smart-casual dinner.

Building a small collection of two or three straps — one leather, one rubber, one NATO — gives you enormous versatility without needing multiple watches.

Step 5: Check Buckle and Clasp Compatibility

Most straps come with a standard pin buckle, but some watches use deployant clasps or specific buckle widths. Check that the buckle width matches your existing hardware, or factor in the cost of a replacement buckle if needed. For Marchand watches, a standard 18mm buckle is the correct fit for our 20mm straps.

The Marchand Strap Range

We offer a curated selection of straps designed to complement our watch collection — including rally straps, leather straps, and rubber options. Each is selected for quality and compatibility with our 20mm lug width. Browse the full range and find the strap that suits your style and your watch.