How to Change the Strap on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

Changing the strap on your Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore is a straightforward process once you understand how the attachment system works. The Royal Oak Offshore uses a screw based system rather than the spring bar system found on most other watches, which makes it more secure but requires a slightly different approach. This guide walks you through how to change the strap on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore step by step.

If you are not confident carrying out a strap change at home, we recommend visiting a local watchmaker with experience of Audemars Piguet watches. A professional strap change typically takes only a few minutes and avoids any risk of damage to your watch or strap.

What you will need

A precision screwdriver with a slim flat head — the screws on the Royal Oak Offshore are small and require a fine tipped tool. A soft cloth or watch cushion to rest your watch on and protect the case and crystal during the process. A well lit workspace. Your new MIDAS Royal Oak Offshore replacement strap. A set of endlinks — most customers use their existing OEM endlinks which stay attached to the strap. A secondary set of endlinks is not supplied by MIDAS but is widely available on eBay and from watch accessory retailers if needed.

Understanding the Royal Oak Offshore attachment system

The Royal Oak Offshore strap system has two sets of screws. The first set secures the endlinks to the watch case at the lugs. The second is a screw bar that runs through the endlinks and holds the strap itself to the endlinks. Understanding which screws do which job before you start will make the process much smoother.

Step 1 — Prepare your workspace

Place a soft cloth or watch cushion on a flat stable surface. Lay your watch face down on the cloth to protect the crystal. Make sure your workspace is well lit so you can clearly see the small screws on the lugs. Keep a small container nearby to store the screws safely while you work — they are small and easy to lose.

Step 2 — Remove the case screws

Locate the screws on both sides of each lug where the endlinks meet the watch case. Using your precision screwdriver, carefully unscrew these case screws. Work slowly and apply steady pressure to avoid slipping and scratching the case. Once the case screws are removed, the endlinks and strap assembly will separate from the watch case. You will now have the watch case on one side and the strap with endlinks still attached on the other.

Step 3 — Remove the strap from the endlinks

With the strap and endlinks separated from the case, locate the screw bar running through the endlinks that secures the strap in place. Using your precision screwdriver, carefully unscrew the screw bar to release the strap from the endlinks. Your endlinks are now free and can be reused with your new MIDAS strap.

If you prefer to use a second set of endlinks rather than transferring your existing ones, these are widely available on eBay and from watch accessory retailers. Having a spare set means you can keep one set on your OEM strap and one on your MIDAS strap for easy swapping in future.

Step 4 — Transfer the buckle

Your 42mm MIDAS strap comes with a free 22mm tang buckle included. If you would prefer to use your existing buckle, use a slim headed screwdriver to press the pin down on the buckle to release it from the old strap, then slide it onto your new MIDAS strap. For 44mm straps, simply slide your existing 24mm buckle onto the new strap as no buckle is included with 44mm orders.

Step 5 — Attach the endlinks to your new MIDAS strap

Take your endlinks and align them with the case end of your new MIDAS Royal Oak Offshore replacement strap. Insert the screw bar through the endlinks and strap to secure them together. Tighten carefully using your precision screwdriver — firm but not over tightened.

Step 6 — Reattach the strap and endlinks to the watch case

Align the endlinks with the lugs on your watch case. Insert and tighten the case screws on both sides of each lug to secure the endlinks back to the case. Work carefully and apply steady pressure to avoid slipping. Once all case screws are tightened, check that the strap feels secure and there is no movement at the lug attachment points.

Step 7 — Check and wear

Give the strap a gentle tug on both sides to confirm everything is securely fastened. Fasten the buckle and check the strap sits comfortably on your wrist. Your MIDAS Royal Oak Offshore rubber strap is salt-water safe, sweat-resistant and UV-stable and is ready for immediate everyday wear.