Updated November 2026 · By the BGStraps team
Quick answer: most Panerai Luminors hold the strap with a screw bar, not a spring bar. Lay the watch face down, unscrew the bar with a well-fitting flat-blade screwdriver, slide the strap and its tube out, then fit the new strap and screw the bar back in. Choose the width by case size: 22mm for 42mm cases, 24mm for 44mm and 26mm for 47mm. Newer models with a quick-release button need no tools at all.
Panerai owners change straps more often than almost anyone else in the watch world. The big cushion case makes the strap nearly as visible as the dial, so a new strap really does feel like a new watch. The fitting is different from most watches, though, and that’s where people get nervous. This guide walks through it step by step, with the sizes you need and the mistakes to avoid.
How is a Panerai strap attached?
A Panerai strap is usually held by a screw bar that passes through both lugs and a metal tube inside the strap. The tube sits in the loop at the end of the strap and gives the bar something solid to run through. One end of the bar has a screw head; on many models the other end has a second small screw. Because the bar is screwed in rather than sprung, it is very secure, which suits a large, heavy watch.
| Attachment | Found on | Tool needed | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screw bar with tube | Most Luminor, Luminor Marina and Submersible models | Flat-blade screwdriver | Easy with the right blade |
| Quick-release push button | Recent Luminor and Submersible models | None | Very easy |
| Screw bar on solid lugs | Radiomir 1940-style cases | Flat-blade screwdriver | Easy |
| Wire-style lugs | Some Radiomir models | Depends on the model | Check before buying |
What you need
- A flat-blade watchmaker’s screwdriver that fills the slot completely. Many Panerai watches were sold with a small strap tool; use it if you have it.
- A soft cloth to protect the crystal and the crown guard.
- Low-tack tape over the lugs, so a slipping blade marks the tape, not the steel.
- The new strap in the right width (see the size table below).
The most common mistake is using a blade that is too narrow. It sits loosely in the slot, slips under pressure and chews the screw head. A blade that fills the slot turns the screw cleanly.
How to change the strap, step by step
- Lay the watch face down on the cloth, with the strap you’re removing pointing towards you.
- Hold the opposite side. If your bar has a screw at both ends, hold one end steady with a second screwdriver while you turn the other.
- Unscrew anti-clockwise with firm, straight pressure into the slot. Once the screw is loose, push the bar out through the lug.
- Remove the strap and its tube. Keep the tube: your new strap may come with one, but it’s useful to compare lengths.
- Fit the tube into the new strap and line the strap up between the lugs so the tube’s hole matches the lug holes.
- Slide the bar back through lug, tube and lug, then screw it in until it’s snug. Don’t force it; overtightening can strip the thread.
- Repeat on the other side and give each half of the strap a firm tug before you wear the watch.
If your Panerai has a quick-release button on the underside of the strap, press it, slide the strap out of the lugs and click the new one in. A strap without that mechanism can still be fitted to these watches with a screw bar, if the case has lug holes. Check the compatible references on the product page.
What size strap does my Panerai need?
Panerai strap width follows case size: 22mm for 42mm cases, 24mm for 44mm and 26mm for 47mm. The table shows the most common pairings. Panerai has made many references, so measure between the lugs if you’re not sure; our lug width guide explains how.
| Case size | Typical models | Strap width |
|---|---|---|
| 40mm | Luminor Due, smaller Luminor models | 20mm (check the reference) |
| 42mm | Luminor Marina 42, Submersible 42 | 22mm |
| 44mm | Luminor Marina PAM111, PAM1312, Submersible PAM441-style | 24mm |
| 47mm | Luminor 1950 47mm, Submersible 47mm | 26mm |
| 45mm / 47mm Radiomir | Radiomir and Radiomir 1940 | Usually 24–26mm; measure |
Strap length matters too. Panerai straps are often shorter on the buckle side and longer on the tail side, and a big case sits better with a strap that isn’t too long. If your wrist is under 17cm, check the length in the product details before you order.
Luminor or Radiomir: do the straps fit both?
A Luminor strap fits a Radiomir only if the width matches and the Radiomir uses a screw bar on solid lugs. Radiomir 1940-style cases are attached much like a Luminor. Models with wire-style lugs need a strap designed for that fitting. Our 26mm Italian leather strap for the Radiomir is cut for the Radiomir’s proportions.
Can I keep my original Panerai buckle?
Yes, in most cases. Panerai’s tang buckles are held by a small screw bar of their own, so you can unscrew the buckle from the old strap and fit it to the new one, as long as the strap’s buckle end is the same width. Our straps come with a buckle, but many owners prefer to move the signed original across. If you want a folding clasp instead, see the folding deployant clasp for Panerai or the replacement tang buckle.
Which strap for which use?
Rubber is the best everyday choice for a Luminor or Submersible, leather is the classic Panerai look, and canvas or carbon-pattern straps sit in between. Here is how they compare:
| Strap | Water | Look | Good choice for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FKM rubber | Excellent | Sporty, clean | Submersible, summer, swimming |
| Suede or vintage leather | Avoid | Classic Paneristi | Luminor Marina, Radiomir |
| Alligator-pattern leather | Avoid | Dressy | Office, evenings |
| Carbon-pattern fabric and leather | Light splashes | Technical, casual | Submersible, weekend wear |
Popular picks: the FKM rubber strap for the Luminor Marina PAM111/441, the 24mm alligator-pattern leather strap and the 26mm suede strap for 47mm Luminors. If you’re choosing between rubber types, our comparison of FKM and silicone explains why FKM lasts longer.
For more on materials, styles and the history of the Panerai strap, read our complete guide to Panerai replacement straps, or browse every option in the Panerai collection. Wondering whether a third-party strap is safe on an expensive watch? See are aftermarket straps safe for a luxury watch.
Frequently asked questions
What tool do I need to change a Panerai strap?
A flat-blade watchmaker’s screwdriver that fills the slot of the screw bar completely. Many Panerai watches came with a strap tool for this. Models with a quick-release button need no tools.
Do I need a 22, 24 or 26mm Panerai strap?
It depends on the case: 42mm cases usually take 22mm, 44mm cases take 24mm and 47mm cases take 26mm. Measure between the lugs if you’re not sure.
Does a Luminor strap fit a Radiomir?
Only if the width matches and the Radiomir uses a screw bar on solid lugs, as the Radiomir 1940-style cases do. Radiomir models with wire-style lugs need a strap made for that fitting.
Can I keep the original Panerai buckle?
Yes. The buckle is held by a small screw bar, so you can move it to the new strap as long as the buckle end of the strap is the same width.
Do I need the tube that comes with the strap?
On screw-bar Luminors, yes. The tube sits inside the strap’s loop and lets the bar pass through cleanly. Without it the strap can twist and wear around the bar.