How to Make a Paracord Watch

Everyone loves to make things out of paracord because it super strong, very durable, an excellent survival item and it also looks good. Everyone also loves wearing a watch so they can quickly an easily know the time and also because they look good. Today I am going to show you how to combine the two and make an awesome paracord watch.

To start thiss project you are going to need a coouple of things. You are going to need paracord, a buckle (I used a 5/8 inch buckle), a watch (the watch I used will work but it is not the best kind to use. You should use a watch that has a non removable strap anchor point. This may sound confusing but the point where the strap attaches to the watch, on my watch it has a spring bar because it had a metal band on it. Try to look for a watch with a cloth band on it that will be better.) You will also need a pair of sharp scissors, a lighter and a cloth measuring tape (the type used for measuring fabric or your waist).

The first thing you want to do is measure your wrist. Make sure that it will be comfortable. Next you want to measure how long your watch is. Mine is two inches. When making a regular paracord bracelet you are suppose to use a foot of cord for every inch. I made my watch 8 1/2 inches. So you subtract the 2 inches of the watch length from the total length and you get 6 1/2 inches. Then you divide that by 2 and that will give you the total length of each watch band. So each side of the watch will be 3 1/4 inches. That means you will need at least 3 feet 3 inches of paracord for each side but you should use at least a foot more than you need so you have enough to work with.

After you cut the paracord to length, you want to hold the end close to a flame to heat it up then push it against the lighter to get the end nice and flat. It is important you do this so the ends don't get frayed and so it will fit through the watch. Then you fold the cord in half and run both ends through the buckle. Then run both those ends through the loop and pull it tight.

Now it is time to start making the watchband. First you want to run both of the loose ends of paracord attached to the buckle through the watch. Then you should lay it out and measure it to ensure it is the correct length. Now it is time to start weaving the band. The weave that will be used is the cobra weave.Make sure that when you do this the watch face is facing down because then it will look cleaner when you cut the ends off. First you take the two tails and make sure they are separated. Then you take the left tail, cross it over the two center cords and under the right tail. Next take the right tail and go under the left tail and then take it under the two center cords and through the loop made by the left tail. Then to do the next weave you start with the right side. Take the right tail, cross it over the two center cords and under the left tail. Then take the left tail go under the right tail, cross behind the two center cords and through the loop made by the right tail. So now you just alternate left and right until you are done. Now if you stop and come back to it later, how do you know what side you were on? When you look at it you will see the outside loop or tracer. If this is on the left then you start with the left tail.

After you get both sides left you will end up with some excess. You are going to cut it as close to the band as you can. Do this with all 4 tails. Then heat the end up with the lighter and flatten it with the lighter body. Your paracord watch is now ready for use. Enjoy. This project is also for the Wear it contest.