How to Customize a Strap to Fit Your Own Buckle
If you’re planning to use your own buckle with one of our straps, this guide walks you through the ordering process, including the key measurements needed for a proper fit.
Step 1: Identify Your Buckle Type
Determine if your buckle type is a tang buckle or a deployant clasp.
A tang buckle (or pin/classic buckle) works similarly to a belt buckle. A deployant clasp (or folding clasp) attaches both ends of the strap together, and folds open/closed on a hinge.
Deployant clasps have a maximum thickness allowance for straps to fit through. Check the strap's thickness to make sure it can feed through the clasp.
Step 2: Measure the Buckle Width
Measure the inner width of the buckle using a ruler or caliper. Buckle width is measured in millimeters. The standard sizes are 14mm, 16mm, 18mm, and 20mm.
Step 3: Measure the Buckle Tongue Width
Tang buckle: Measure the width of the tongue at the base in millimeters. This measurement corresponds to the width of the strap cutout.
Deployant clasp: Determine if your clasp has a tongue (see picture below). If it does, measure the width in millimeters. This measurement corresponds to the width of the strap cutout. If your clasp does not have a tongue, the strap does not need a cutout.
Step 4: Determine the Hole Width
Tang buckle: Measure the tip of the buckle tongue (where it goes into the adjustment pinholes). This measurement corresponds to the width of the strap holes.
Deployant clasp: Measure the pin head diameter. This measurement corresponds to the width of the strap holes.
Step 5: Determine the Keepers/Loops
Keepers (also known as loops/ strap holders) hold the strap tail in place. In a standard setup, a strap includes one fixed keeper and one sliding keeper, but this may vary depending on your buckle.
Tang buckle: Most tang buckles require both fixed and sliding keepers.
Deployant clasp: May or may not need keepers depending on the clasp design. If the holes side of the strap is tucked underneath the clasp, the strap tail will be secured automatically, so there is no need for keepers. However, if the holes side of the strap is secured over the clasp, the strap will need keepers.
Customizing Your Strap
With the buckle measurements in hand, you’re ready to order your custom strap.
Step 1: When choosing the strap width, ensure that you also choose the correct buckle width.
Step 2: Select the Custom Buckle option and select the appropriate values for buckle type, tongue cutout, hole width, and keepers (if deployant clasp).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do the strap lengths need to be updated to fit deployant clasps?
Deployant clasps may require non-standard length ratios. We recommend measuring the lengths of the OEM strap that came with the clasp to ensure the best results.
Q: What if I want to use a deployant clasp with a strap that has a cutout?
A: If the clasp does not have a tongue, a strap without a cutout will look best. But a strap with a cutout can still be compatible.
Q: Does every tang buckle require both keepers?
A: In most cases, yes. However, there are some tang buckles such as Seiko's where it comes with a metal fixed keeper, so only a sliding keeper is required.
