It can be difficult for people to find the perfect watch. You will find that watches come in only a handful of sizes, so they may not be the right size for you. Many watches made of metal can be adjusted to fit your wrist by removing or adding additional links. You can adjust the size of your watch to fit your needs if you don’t want to wait for a jeweller or if you are pressed for time. It’s straightforward.
The Manual created a simple five-step process that allows you to get your watch just right. Below is a guide on removing watch links for a better fit.
Find the Link Pins
Locate the link that you want to be removed from your watchband. The arrows on specific links will indicate whether they can be removed. Each link is held in its place by small removable pins.
Look at your watch with your face towards the ground to find each pin’s location. On either side, look under the clasp or buckle. Arrows indicate the link pins.
Check How Many Links Are Required
The operation is all about finding the perfect fit. To do this, measure how many of each link you will remove. Before removing any pins on the watch bracelet link, this should be done.
Here’s how we measure the correct links that need to be removed
Your watch should be worn exactly as it would typically be around your wrist
Keep your wrist down so that the metal watch face is facing away and the clasp is staring back at you
Your free hand should guide the thumb and index fingers towards the watch links.
The links should be gathered in a V from each side. Now, pull the wrist, so the back of your watch case is on your wrist.
How many links between your thumb and index fingers will determine how many you should remove.
Prepare Your Workspace
It can be tough to remove watch links. Make sure you work on a flat surface with lots of light and minimal distractions. For ferrules or small pins that are not too large, it is a good idea to place something on the edge of your work area. This will help reduce the possibility of any missing pieces. Also, it is worth placing a rug or other soft material underneath your work to keep your metal watch and bench top from getting scratched. It is possible to hammer out pins quite loudly, so you may choose to work elsewhere. As the removal process is very time-consuming, this is for your benefit.
Utilizing a Kit
Watch Band Link Remover Kit also includes a watch holder. The holder is made of a series of cutouts. Each aperture in the block is different in width and can be used to hold watches.
First, open the bracelet. If possible, remove the clasp. Place the watchband inside the block. Place the watch band inside one of the apertures.
Now insert the pusher in its slot. Gently tap it using a fork. When the pin is out, you can pull it out using pliers and your fingers.
REMOVE THE PINN
The pin pusher should be aligned to the pinhole for the link you want. Once the handle is in place, move it clockwise, so the pusher points towards the pinhole. Once the pin is in place, keep rotating the handle so that the pin pushes forward.
Once the pin has been pulled as far as possible, grasp the pin between your hands and pull it out to obliterate it.
How to cut a stretch band
- Be sure to work on a soft surface.
- A small flat screwdriver can attach the watch band’s pin.
- Remove the pins and move them upwards.
- You can then remove the pin at the opposite end of the band.
- Add links to remove others.
- This pin is relatively tiny, so tweezers are a good choice.
- Click on the links and then press them together. The pin will appear in both links.
- You can then push the pin into your stretch band by using, for instance, the side of the forceps.
- We wish you many years of enjoyment with your newly adjusted watch. Your jeweller can adjust the strap.
Take it apart and put it back together.
Once you have taken out the links, join both ends of the bracelet to form one piece. Grab one of the cotter pins you have taken out. You can insert it through the pinhole where you took the pin when it was first removed. Put the bracelet back into the holder and gently tap it with the flat side of the hammer. If you removed any ferrules, gently tap them back into their place. Once you’re done, repeat the process on the other end of the clasp.