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Band removal tools

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Hey folks, just purchased my first automatic watch (Seiko Fifth Fathoms) here on Massdrop and would like some advice from the experts on which tools I should purchase for removing the band and replacing it with a nato strap.
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Cloaca
1906
Dec 5, 2018
Some bracelets have access holes that are smaller than most spring bar tools, so you have to find a narrower one or file one down. If you buy a NATO strap, it will likely come with a tool. My view is that you should not spend a lot of money on a spring bar tool, since they do wear down. In addition to the width issue, the sharpness of the point dulls over time and you need to either get a new tool, or sharpen it with a file. Actually, it's a good idea to have different sharpnesses: duller is safer to avoid scratches, but sharper is necessary for some bands that just barely fit the lug width, like some thick leather straps that are a bit too wide. And watch repairman Matt Farah of the Watch and Listen podcast says he just uses a screwdriver, a small, standard watchmakers screwdriver, to remove spring bars, so there's that.
As Stainless noted, you are looking for a spring bar tool. Some advice - spend a little more to get a nice one, such as the one he links to. I've broken the tips on several cheaper ones, and generally those are not replaceable if you went with a budget buy.
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