A spring bar tool does one job: it compresses the small sprung bar that holds the strap between the case lugs, so you can take a strap off and put another one on. It is the single most useful watch tool to own, because almost every watch, expensive or not, sits on spring bars at the lugs even when the bracelet itself uses pins or screws.
What actually matters when you choose one
The tip, not the brand on the handle. A good tool has two ends: a forked tip that slides onto the bar between strap and lug, and a fine straight pin for holes drilled through the lug from outside. The fork must be thin enough to enter a tight gap but hard enough not to splay open under load. Cheap forks open after a few uses and then slip, and a slip here lands directly on the side of the lug, the most visible surface on the watch. A slightly heavier tool with a hardened tip and a controllable grip is worth far more than a bargain multi-pack.
Drilled lugs versus closed lugs decide which end you use
If you can see two small holes on the outside of the lugs, use the straight pin from outside, it is faster and safer. If the lugs are closed, work the fork from inside between strap and case. Knowing which your watch has before you start avoids the scratch that happens when people force the wrong end.
What it will not do
A spring bar tool does not remove bracelet links. Friction-pin and screwed bracelets need a pin pusher or a screwdriver. Buying a spring bar tool expecting it to shorten a steel bracelet is one of the most common mismatches in this hobby.
If you only ever buy one watch tool, buy a good single spring bar tool, not a cheap large kit. You will use it for every strap change for years.
Not sure which mechanism your watch uses? Start with how to adjust a watch band.
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FAQ
What should I look for in a spring bar tool?
Look at the tip, not the price. You want a hardened forked end thin enough for tight lug gaps but stiff enough not to splay, plus a fine straight pin for drilled lugs, and a grip you can control. A single well made tool beats a large cheap assortment, because a splayed fork slips straight onto the lug.
Will the wrong tool damage my watch?
Yes. A mismatched or low quality tool slips and scratches lugs or bends pins. The brand guides explain which mechanism you actually have.