# Watch strap glue? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 17, 2026, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373 "2026-08-17T03:46:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/41 "2026-08-19T04:25:21Z")
Shoe Goo is really designed primarily to function as a wear surface rather than an adhesive, although obviously it has to adhere to work. Contact glue would be better. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/42 "2026-08-19T12:52:28Z")
But all means, try glueing it in place. But if it’s just that tiny lip that holds the end of the strap down, is think it wouldn’t be very noticeable if you replaced it with a leather one. I wouldn’t go with a rubber band, that would spoil the look. But a tiny black leather loop isn’t going to look all that different from the nice reptile leather of the original. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/43 "2026-08-19T13:19:21Z")
Except for the clasp and the [Hamilton stamp on the buckle](https://www.watchbandexpert.com/products/hamilton-ventura-h244110-h244112-h244510-black-leather-band). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/44 "2026-08-19T13:27:26Z")
Wait, i thought the rest of the buckle was okay? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/45 "2026-08-19T13:28:46Z")
Sorry, even after my walk, I’m not awake yet. I thought you were suggesting replacing the original strap with a new leather one. I _have_ started my second mug of coffee now… ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/46 "2026-08-19T13:33:48Z")
If it wasn’t stapled or stitched then it was almost certainly originally closed with contact cement, probably Barge brand, and that’s the best type of glue to repair it with. CMC, occasional, semiprofessional, leather worker. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/47 "2026-08-19T13:42:48Z")
OMG it’s almost like all the people here who are trying to answer @Johnny_L.A’s actual question about what glue he should use rather than get him to do something else are in agreement… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/48 "2026-08-19T14:30:00Z")
Unfortunately that result fulfills one of Cecil’s founding Great Prophesies, and therefore signals the End Times are nigh for SDMB. Post quick before the lights go out forever. Just kidding … I hope! 😬 ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/49 "2026-08-19T14:31:46Z")
You, my friend, are an optimist. I, however, am not. It will take a little longer, I suspect. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/50 "2026-08-19T16:39:38Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > the watch is a little bit of a collector’s item IMO, if this is a collector’s item, bite the bullet and buy the genuine replacement. Otherwise you’re cheapening it. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/51 "2026-08-19T16:47:31Z")
IMHO I would use fabric glue. It’s meant to be pliable, and withstand motion and heat. Aleene’s is the go-to for fabric glue, and they make [a leather glue](https://aleenes.com/collections/fabric-notions-adhesives/products/aleenes-leather-suede-glue-4-fl-oz-1). You may want to consider their [fabric fusion](https://aleenes.com/collections/fabric-notions-adhesives/products/aleenes-fabric-fusion-permanent-fabric-adhesive-4-fl-oz-1) glue instead since it is for heavy use. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/52 "2026-08-19T22:26:25Z")
Completely disagree. If the old strap is repairable to a good standard, keeping the original is superior from the collectability standard. Way too much stuff is treated as disposable these days, and analog watches in particular are intended to rather be serviced and repaired over their life. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/53 "2026-08-19T22:28:19Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > If the old strap is repairable to a good standard, keeping the original is superior from the collectability standard. Sure, but if it were collectible, the best option would probably be to get the keeper repaired professionally. Next best is replacement strap. DIY? Way WAY down the list. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/54 "2026-08-19T23:04:10Z")
Assuming the only issue is with the keeper or watch band loop, that is something that few people will see so I don’t think it matters much if you leave if off (perhaps using Velcro to hold the loose strap end in place) or replace it with a generic loop. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/55 "2026-08-20T23:04:11Z")
DIY by gluing up a thing that was originally glued in place, using a similar type of glue, is repairing to a professional standard. And i actually think that may be where the OP stands right now. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/56 "2026-08-20T23:37:15Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > is repairing to a professional standard. Perhaps, if you have the professional’s skillset. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/57 "2026-08-21T01:14:38Z")
Well, i don’t know about @Johnny_L.A , but glueing isn’t a super-high-skill activity, and i know that i am as good at glueing things as a professional. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2026, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373/58 "2026-08-21T03:38:33Z")
I’m pretty dang good with glue myself. I wouldn’t say professional. (Is there pro gluers?) I was a professional artist and I worked with leathers in book binding. And lots of glues. If he finds a great glue and is careful it can be done. I can’t swear it will stay forever. But making-do is nothing to frown at. It’s in my DNA. If the watch is truly valuable, I might fix the band, maybe buy a new leather loop keeper down thingy. If I was then gonna sell it I’d deck it out with new band. Save the original. It has value even with a missing thingy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373.md?page=2)