How to measure your lug width

Thirty seconds, a ruler and the watch in front of you.

1. Check the strap first. Turn your current strap over. Many straps print two numbers near the end, such as 20-16: the first is the lug width, the second the buckle width.
2. Remove the strap. Push the spring bar in with a strap tool or a toothpick through the lug hole, or slide the quick-release lever, and lift the strap out.
3. Measure the inside gap. Measure between the inner faces of the two lugs with a caliper, or lay a millimetre ruler across the gap. Do not measure the outside of the lugs.
4. Round to the nearest millimetre. Lug widths are almost always whole numbers: 18, 20 and 22 mm cover most watches. Some vintage watches use half sizes such as 17.5 mm.