Rolex Speedking 6430 strap help

[mizzouzk]

Hey guys, so you all helped me out before to find out the year this watch is from and the authenticity. I'm looking to swap out the oyster bracelet on here for a nice ostrich skin leather and I need to know what size strap will work. I've read around a bit and from what I've found it measures 17mm...no one makes the strap in that size. I've also found people that have an 18mm Croc skin strap? How does 18mm fit 17mm lug size? You may say hey just take it to a watch shop and have them measure...no local guy will touch it and the AD wants $45 to take the bracelet off to measure and $10 to put it back on. I also have to source an authentic buckle to put on the strap which I'm quickly finding to be a huge ordeal. Any advice on how to move forward would be greatly appreciated!!!

[bridgs]

Well I do not know much about that nice watch, but I would think that with care you might be able to get that bracelet off yourself. Is it possible to unscrew a link out of the bracelet first, turn the watch head upside down and then remove the bracelet from the watch head using small jewelers screwdriver or stout thumbtack with the plastic handle to push in the springbar and work it upwards out of the endlink?

[Old Expat Beast]

Didn't you take the bracelet off to read the numbers when we helped you out with this watch a year or two back? Just do that again and use a ruler to measure the space between the inside of the lugs.

[mizzouzk]

I lived in Wisconsin and had a jeweler do that, but I have been fiddling with it and just popped it off with a pin pusher. Not as difficult as I originally thought. It measures to 17ishmm...the ruler isn't that precise. Will an 18mm band be able to fit? Not many exotic watch bands available in 17mm.

[adam78]

There are many straps available in 17mm, you just need to look. Try:
http://www.watch-band-center.com/shop-watchstrap.html