Rolex watches are built to last a lifetime. The strap or bracelet holding them to your wrist? That’s a different story. Whether your original bracelet has stretched and shows its age, you want a sportier rubber option for the beach, or you simply want a fresh look without buying a new watch, changing your Rolex strap is one of the most impactful — and affordable — upgrades you can make.
This guide covers everything: which strap fits which Rolex model, the best materials for different occasions, how to do the swap yourself, and what to look for in an aftermarket replacement.
Why Change Your Rolex Strap?
The most common reason is wear. Even the legendary Oyster bracelet will develop stretch in the folded clasp links after years of daily wear. At Rolex service prices, a full bracelet replacement runs several hundred pounds — far more than a premium aftermarket alternative that looks just as good.
The second reason is versatility. A Submariner on its stock bracelet is a serious piece of kit. The same watch on a matte black rubber strap reads sporty and modern. On a NATO, it reads military and casual. One watch, three entirely different personalities.
Rolex Lug Widths: Finding the Right Fit
Every strap is defined by its lug width — the distance in millimetres between the lugs where the strap attaches. Getting this wrong means the strap won’t fit. Here’s the definitive reference:
| Model | Lug Width |
|---|---|
| Submariner (Date & No-Date) | 20mm |
| GMT-Master II | 20mm |
| Daytona | 20mm |
| Datejust 36 | 20mm |
| Datejust 41 | 21mm |
| Day-Date 36 | 20mm |
| Day-Date 40 | 21mm |
| Explorer I (36mm) | 20mm |
| Explorer I (39mm & 40mm) | 20mm |
| Explorer II | 21mm |
| Sea-Dweller / Deepsea | 20mm |
| Milgauss | 20mm |
| Air-King | 20mm |
| Oyster Perpetual 36 | 20mm |
| Oyster Perpetual 41 | 21mm |
The short version: most Rolex sports models and 36mm dress watches use a 20mm strap. The larger 41mm Datejust, Day-Date 40, Explorer II, and Oyster Perpetual 41 take a 21mm.
Strap Materials: Which Is Right for You?
Rubber / Silicone
The most popular aftermarket choice for sports Rolex models. High-quality vulcanised rubber sits flush against the case and holds up to water, sweat, and UV exposure far better than leather. It’s the go-to for Submariners, Sea-Dwellers, and GMT-Master IIs worn daily or in active settings.
Best for: Submariner, GMT-Master II, Sea-Dweller, Deepsea, Explorer I
Leather
A supple leather strap instantly dresses up a Rolex that might otherwise look too sporty for formal occasions. Full-grain calf or alligator-embossed leather works especially well on the Datejust and Day-Date. Note that leather doesn’t handle water well, so keep it away from the pool.
Best for: Datejust, Day-Date, Cellini, Oyster Perpetual
NATO / Nylon
NATO straps originated with the British Ministry of Defence and have since become a collector’s staple. They’re inexpensive, near-indestructible, and come in every colour combination imaginable. Because NATO straps thread under the watch head, they also offer a secondary safety layer — if one spring bar fails, the watch stays on your wrist. The key caveat: they’re thicker than rubber or leather, so the watch sits higher on the wrist.
Best for: Explorer I, Air-King, Oyster Perpetual — anywhere a relaxed, casual look suits the occasion
Stainless Steel Bracelet (Jubilee / Oyster style)
An aftermarket steel bracelet offers the closest look to the original Rolex bracelet at a fraction of the cost. Quality varies enormously in this category. Look for solid (not hollow) end links and a brushed/polished combination finish that mirrors the genuine Rolex treatment. A well-made aftermarket Jubilee on a Datejust 36 is nearly indistinguishable from the original at normal viewing distance.
Best for: Datejust 36, Day-Date — any dress Rolex where the steel bracelet look is essential
How to Change a Rolex Strap at Home
Swapping a Rolex strap is a five-minute job once you’ve done it once. Here’s what you need:
Tools required:
- Spring bar tool (a forked tool with a pointed and a forked end)
- Soft pad or cloth to protect the case back
Step-by-step:
- Lay the watch face down on a soft cloth to protect the crystal and case.
- Locate the spring bars — these are the small cylindrical pins sitting inside the lug holes that connect the strap to the case.
- Use the forked end of the spring bar tool to compress the spring bar from between the strap and the lug wall. Apply gentle inward pressure until the bar releases.
- Slide the strap out once both spring bars are released. Keep the spring bars safe — you’ll need them for the new strap unless the new one comes with its own.
- Fit the new strap by inserting one end of the spring bar into the strap hole, then compress the opposite end and position it between the lugs. When it snaps into place you’ll feel (and sometimes hear) a click.
- Repeat for the other side and check both ends are fully seated before wearing.
Tip: If you’re fitting a rubber strap with integrated spring bars, the process is even easier — the spring bars are already attached to the strap and you simply press them into place.
What to Look for in an Aftermarket Rolex Strap
Not all aftermarket straps are equal. Here’s how to separate the quality options from the cheap ones:
1. Accurate lug width. A 20mm strap should measure 20mm at the lug end and taper to 16mm–18mm at the buckle. Anything that doesn’t taper correctly will look odd on the wrist.
2. Solid end links. For steel bracelets, solid end links are non-negotiable. Hollow end links flex visibly and look cheap on a watch that costs thousands.
3. Material quality. For rubber, look for vulcanised FKM or natural rubber rather than soft silicone, which tends to tear and discolour faster. For leather, full-grain hides outlast bonded or corrected-grain leather by years.
4. Correct lug radius. A well-made strap will have a curved case end shaped to match the specific radius of your Rolex model’s lug. A flat end that doesn’t sit flush against the case is a sign of a generic, poorly fitted strap.
5. Clasp/buckle quality. A deployant clasp is far more convenient than a simple pin buckle and reduces wear on the strap. Stainless steel is preferable to plated zinc alloy, which will corrode over time.
Top Rolex Models and Their Best Strap Matches
Rolex Submariner
The Submariner is arguably the most strap-flexible watch in existence. Its clean, sporty lug design takes almost any 20mm strap with aplomb.
- Casual/active: Vulcanised rubber in black or navy
- Dressy: Matte black leather
- Collector’s look: NATO in black-and-grey or RAF colours
Rolex GMT-Master II
The GMT shares lug dimensions with the Submariner, but its colourful bezels (Pepsi, Batman, Root Beer) open up interesting strap combinations.
- Batman/Pepsi: Two-tone rubber in matching colours, or a simple black rubber
- Root Beer: Tobacco or cognac leather adds warmth
- Casual: Stripe NATO mirroring the bezel colours
Rolex Datejust 36
The quintessential dress Rolex. The 20mm lug width means huge strap availability.
- Office: Smooth black or dark brown leather with a steel pin buckle
- Formal: Alligator-embossed leather in navy or cordovan
- Weekend: Jubilee-style steel bracelet
Rolex Daytona
The Daytona’s pusher-flanked case makes it slightly pickier with straps — avoid anything with raised edges that foul the chronograph pushers. A flat, thin rubber strap works well.
- Sport: Thin rubber, preferably with a racing-inspired perforated texture
- Classic: Smooth leather with a pin buckle to echo vintage Daytona aesthetics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an aftermarket strap damage my Rolex?
No, provided you fit it correctly using a proper spring bar tool. The spring bar holes are machined steel and won’t be damaged by a well-fitted aftermarket bar. Avoid cheap pressed-steel spring bars, which can fail and scratch the case.
Can I still get my Rolex serviced with an aftermarket strap?
Yes. Rolex service centres will simply remove the strap and work on the movement. You can refit your aftermarket strap once the watch is returned.
How long does a rubber strap last?
A good vulcanised rubber strap should last 3–5 years with regular wear before signs of cracking or discolouration appear. Cheap silicone alternatives may last under a year.
Is a 20mm strap the same as a 20/16mm strap?
Effectively yes. “20/16mm” describes a tapered strap: 20mm at the lugs, tapering to 16mm at the buckle end. This is the standard taper for most 20mm watch straps and is what you want for a Submariner, GMT, or 36mm Datejust.
Where to Buy Quality Rolex Aftermarket Straps
Parts For Your Watch stocks a curated range of premium aftermarket straps and bracelets compatible with the full Rolex lineup — from rubber and NATO options for sports models to leather and steel bracelets for dress watches. All products ship free worldwide.
Browse Rolex-compatible straps →
Disclaimer: Parts For Your Watch is an independent retailer of aftermarket watch straps and parts. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Rolex SA or any of its subsidiaries.