A paracord watch (also known as a survival watch, ICE watch, or tactical watch) is a great tool to carry with you when exploring the outdoors. Unraveled, it yields about 10 feet of usable 750 paracord for mending tent lines or tying broken survival gear together. You can even fish with the line inside the cord!
In this blog, we will show you how to make a paracord watch.
What You’ll Need
- About 10 feet of 750 paracord
- Watch
- Hemostat
- Lighter or matchsticks
- Measuring tape
- 5/8″ side-release buckle
- Scissors
- Felt-tipped marker
Optional: You can use different paracord colors to customize your paracord watch. Aside from watch bands, you can use this weave and idea to make a paracord bracelet for yourself and your friends.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making a Paracord Watch
Step 1. Measure.
Measure around your wrist using a measuring tape to determine the length of your watchband. If you do not have a measuring tape that wraps around your wrist, you can use your paracord instead.
To begin, wrap a piece of paracord around your wrist and measure its length. Next, connect one end of the paracord to the other, marking where they meet your wrist’s length for measurement.
Next, measure the length of the paracord using a tape measure. You might want to burn the edges of the paracord with a lighter or matchsticks to make weaving easier. Melt the paracord ends by holding them over the lighter flame, and then push the two ends together with your thumb and index finger.
Step 2. First Loop and Knot
Take one of the paracords and fold it in half, starting at the center. Then, holding the folded paracord in place, run it down through the buckle’s end.
You will form a loop through which you can run the two paracord strands. Next, make your first knot by pulling the two strands firmly and sliding it to one side of the buckle.
Repeat with the other strand of paracord. The buckle will now have four strands hanging from it.
Step 3. Attach Your Watch Face/Piece
Pair the two ends of the paracords of different colors and run them through the watch band pins beneath the watch face. Next, unhook the buckle and run the two strands of paracord through it.
Place the watch face in the center of the paracord that has been measured to be the length of your wrist or watch. Mark the spot so you know where to stop weaving later.
Step 4. Set the Paracords for Weaving
Pull the same pair of paracord strands through the release buckle, all the way to the end of your watch band’s length. You will need to measure again to ensure that your 750 paracord watch strap fits perfectly.
You can now begin weaving, and we will be using the cobra weave. Part the paracord strands hanging from the release buckle, one on each side.
Before tightening the loop, try on the watchband and adjust it so that it fits into the rest. Because the length tends to stretch out when you tie the half-hitches, it should be no more than a half-inch longer than your measured wrist size.
Step 5. Start Weaving on One Side
Working with the two loose ends of the paracord, make an alternate half-hitch. Then, start working with the left piece and place it beneath the two center cords that connect to the buckle’s ends.
Tighten the left piece by passing it back through the front center cords and running it through the loop to the left.
Do the same with the right side.
Step 6. Weave on
Repeat the process until you reach the middle of the paracord watch strap or the center of the watch face. Then, run the two working paracords under the watch band pins.
Repeat the weaving process until it reaches the ends of the buckle on the other side.
Step 7. Cut and Secure
Use scissors to cut the excess paracord. Melt the cut ends with a lighter and press them with your thumb and index finger until the melted cord bonds to the surrounding cords.
And You’re Done! You now have a completed 750 paracord watch with a side release buckle! It’s time to put it on!
Wasn’t this DIY paracord watchband fun and simple? This paracord project is simple enough for anyone with a knack for DIY or a bit of curiosity.
