Radiomir strap change...stressful!!!

[Ericx2]

I finally mounted the French ammo strap that I recently made/posted last week. I have owned many (many) Radiomirs since I caught the Panerai bug in 2004, but changing the strap hasn't gotten any easier over the years. Quite the opposite; either the screws have gotten smaller or my eyesight has gotten poorer (the latter, I believe). Regardless, I feel its better to do it myself and blame (myself) for any scratches rather than have a jeweler screw it up and regret having brought it to them. The secret...tape in patience in equal doses. I confirmed with a loupe that there is barely any evidence of a strap changes. Whew!!!

[Priester]

The new strap looks great - very nicely done...

I change straps very often, so I invested in a good set of Bergeon screwdrivers (which are well worth the cost) along with one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BDDYVKPN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Even with good eyesight, it's a complete game changer and has simplified strap changes & cleaning/polishing projects immensely.

I also use 3m 'sticky tack' to easily place the screws in the holes.

[Warchesforristis]

It is always delicate to change a strap with such small screws.
a good bergeon screwdriver makes the task somewhat easier.
The result is beautiful indeed

[wiseman]

I always put a little bit of cellotape over the lug hole, and simply puncture it with the screwdriver. Much easier than having to lineup up multiple little bits!

[wiseman]

You'll thank yourself a few years down the line, when you decide to sell it and realise that scrapes around the lugs put a lot of people off nowadays...

[aloulouky]

Nice match with the strap.I try to use a loop when i need to remove such screws and don't use much force ,slow turns never get you scratches.I once found a plastic screwdriver that did wonders but lost it.It came with a plastic model kit and i have never found one again in such size!Plastic can still scratch though but not deep!