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Anonymous Posted on Jan 25, 2016

How to take up slack on a metal watch band without removing links

My watch band has very large links. take one out and its too small. put it in and its way too loose. the band is very unique to the watch so don't want to change to something different. any Ideas.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jan 09, 2008

SOURCE: Watch Band Adjustment

I just got this watch for a gift and was able to remove links myself after doing some research. It really isn't difficult if you are patient, have a little mechanical experience, and have some very basic "tools" available.

Tools:

  • 1 push pin like you use on bulletin boards with a plastic head
  • 1 small hammer like a tack hammer
  • 1 pair of small pliers. Needle nose pliers would be best but I used diagonal wire cutters (be careful not to cut the link pin)
  • 1 small block of wood

Try to pick a well lit table in a room where you will not be interrupted.

Procedure:
1. Lay the watch and band sideways on the block of wood so that a pin for the link you would like to remove is just hanging over the edge of the block and pointing down. You need the block to brace the band while you hammer lightly on the pin. Someone to hold the watch in that position would be helpful, but it can be done alone. Only try to remove pins that have an arrow on the back of the band pointing at them. It does not matter with this watch band which way you go with the pin.
2. Carefully line up the push pin point with the top of the pin.
3. Slowly, lightly and carefully hammer the plastic side of the push pin so that the pin in the link just emerges from the band on the bottom side enough so that you can grab it with the small pliers.
4. Slowly and carefully pull the pin straight out with the pliers. You can pick up the watch from the block of wood to get a better grip. Be careful not to bend the pin since you will need to replace at least one of the pins you remove.
5. Repeat steps 1 - 4 until the band is the correct length. I needed to take out 3 so I removed 2 from one side and 1 from the other side of the clasp.
6. To fasten the watch back together again, gently insert the pin back in the hole it came from it. You will probably need to use the tack hammer to make the top of the pin flush with the band.

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Anonymous

  • 2 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 14, 2008

SOURCE: Armitron mens watch band link removal

Try http://www.webjeweller.com/jewellery/removelinks.shtml

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Oct 01, 2008

SOURCE: Remove links from metal watch band

This was on a Seiko Dive watch SKX007. This has the metal links joined with pins, which, you will find, are split/spring down their length.

I used a neoprene mouse mat as a work surface, which was ideal as it allows the pin to move out, whilst supporting the links and stopping any slippage. I also rigged a table lamp close by.

There is an arrow which shows in which direction the pin needs to be pushed to remove it. Look carefully and you see that one end of the pin is slotted a little, the other is plain. Push the plain end in the direction of the arrow firmly... it's a leap of faith.

As a tool, I used a cocktail stick to start with. It required firm pressure and then it suddenly gives. I was able to draw the pin out by hand, but used pin nose pliars in one instance, as some pins offer more resistance than others. In most cases the cocktail stick worked (I got through a few). I then graduated to a thumb tack which was more reliable, but metal to metal, so a bit more worrying.

Sliding the pin back was simple, though take care to get the smaller links the right way up when it is re-threaded. I pushed it home the last few millimeters with the flat side of the pliers, giving a final push with the cocktail stick. Good luck. Simplysimon.

escapement

Arturs Kalnins

  • 2338 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 07, 2009

SOURCE: remove links from fossil metal band

You may have arrows inside bracelet.Arrows are pointing the way the pins must come out.
First you have to find out what sort of pins or even screws are used to keep links together.
Examine both bracelet sides and find the side where pin ends have a groove.
Start with a tiny screwdriver and start to unscrew one of the screws. If it turns, but doesn't come out, that means you have a pins instead.
For removing pins the best would be pin removing tool (approx.5GBP on ebay), but it's possible to do the job without it.
Take a hardened steel needle and blunt the sharp end to the approx. size of pin end diameter using any sharpening stone or sandpaper. Get an old towel and fold it to make a soft base for work (like small cusion). As you don't have a special bracelet holder you will need a pair of helping hands to hold the bracelet steady upright. You will need small hammer and pair of flat nose pliers as well.
NOTE: The pins MUST be driven split end out first, not vice versa. Make sure that the grooved pin ends are facing towel, not the needle and hammer!!!
Now place the watch on the folded towel, take that needle and smallest hammer you have and start driving the pin out using light blows. Do Not hit hard, as you will brake the needle, scratch your watch or even injure yourself. Watchmakers are using 45 gram hammer, so, calculate your strength of blows.
After a few blows check if the split end is coming out and when you see that the end is long enough to grab it with pliers, pull the pin out with pliers. When pulling, do NOT turn pliers, as pins tend to brake when twisted. Use firm grip and your strength to pull the pin without twisting.
After shortening the bracelet,make sure that the pins go back EXACTLY the same way as they came out- the blunt end first in the hole and the split (grooved) end last. Before doing that check remaining pins in bracelet to make sure that you put them back from the right side of bracelet.
It is recommended to use plastic hammer to drive pins back in or you will scratch or damage bracelet. If plastic hammer is not available use an old toothbrush handle (or some plastic item) as an absorber. Simply put pin into the hole as deep as you can with your fingers, put the toothbrush handle on split pin end and hit handle, not the pin.
Make sure that pin ends are flush with bracelet. If needed- hit few more times.
Job done!
Don't forget to rate, please.

Anonymous

  • 4 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 13, 2009

SOURCE: Remove link from Watch Band

I would suggest that you take it to local jewler or watch repair center, it normally runs less then $10 to remove an unlimited number.

Wal-Mart used to be a good place to go, but have since decided to support only watches that are sold in the store, which are crappy at best.

If you want to do it personally...I would discouage it. It is normally a simple process but without training, can turn into a big problem with minimal effort.

Have a great day!

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Dec 25, 2015 • Watches
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How do I remove links from a Seiko watch band?

Follow these steps and it will help u resize your watch.
1-Take a good look at the watch bracelet. Seiko watch bands are equipped with one of two different types of pins holding the links in place. One type is a simple, nail-shaped pushpin that's inserted into the joint between two links. The second is a flat, L-shaped piece of metal that slides into the center of a link and locks it into place. Both pins are removed using the same process. If the nail-shaped pushpin is present, you'll see the tiny screw heads in the joints. If the L-shaped pin is present, the links will be open-sided and you'll be able to see a strip of metal inserted in each links.
2-
Look for the arrows on the inside of the watch bracelet links. The arrows indicate the direction the pins and links need to be slid off of the band. Any attempt to go against the arrows could break or warp the links.
3-Remove the spring bar from the clasp with the small pin-removal tool. Set the watch up on it's side so that the top of the spring bar is facing up and the bottom is flush against the table. Put moderate pressure on the top of the spring bar and tilt the watch just a bit sideways so that the spring bar can slide out. Ease out the bar slowly and carefully; the spring bar is spring-loaded and will shoot away from the watch if you're not careful (make sure that the bottom of the watch is pointed away from you at all times). Put the spring bar in a small dish so it doesn't get lost.
4-Line up a small pin-removal tool with the top of the pin and push in the direction of the arrow until it slides out completely. Slide off the link. Place the pin and the link in the small dish. You'll want to save them in case the watch needs to be re-sized again at a later date. Continue removing links, alternating sides of the band to keep it even, until the watch reaches the desired size.
5-Reconnect the watch. On the side opposite where the spring bar was removed, line up the link connected to the clasp and the second link on the band. Slide the pin in the opposite direction of the arrow, using a flat-headed pin inserter to push it into the joint. Use the pin-removal tool to give it a final push, listening for the click.
6-
Reinsert the spring bar slowly, using the pin inserter. Make sure the spring bar is lined up and tightly in place to avoid injury.
Try this and it you cant manage it then you need to get it to a watch repair shop specializing in that brand.
Jan 09, 2011 • Watches
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Can you please tell me how to remove links on my le cheatau ceramic watch?

Hi, sizing the bracelet on your ceramic watch may void its warranty, making it ineligible to receive service from the manufacturer. If you want to keep your watch covered under warranty, contact your watch manufacturer for information on their customer repair service.
If you want to remove it yourself, you need a watch pin removal tool. You can use a watch pin removal tool to remove the link pins that secure the clasp pieces to your ceramic watch band.

But if you don't have a watch pin removal, follow the instruction below........
  • Find a clean, flat, well-lit work surface where you can size the bracelet of your ceramic watch. For best results, spread a soft optical cloth over your work surface and perform your repair on top of the cloth. The cloth will help prevent you from losing any small watch components, like link pins, that may be freed during repair.
  • Wrap the ceramic watch band around your wrist and count how many links overlap. Use this as a guideline for how many links should be removed. Note that the actual number of links to be removed may differ slightly from the original estimate. Remove excess links from your watch band one at a time to make sure that you don't end up accidentally making the band too short.
  • Remove the excess watch links from the ends of the band with the attached clasp pieces. Look between the removable ceramic watch links to locate the silicone connector pieces that join the links. Use a pair of small, pointed scissors to make a cut between the link and the silicone connector, this will free the excess links. Cut on the side of the link that faces the watch clasp. Repeat the process on the other side of the ceramic watch band.
  • Remove the clasp pieces from the ends of the removed watch links. Examine the clasp pieces to look for the metal pins that hold them in place. Push out the metal pins with a push pin to free the clasp pieces. You can now reattach them to the ends of your ceramic watch band.
  • Examine the newly-shortened ends of your ceramic watch band. Without the clasp in place the silicone connector pieces will be exposed. Note the two small puncture holes that go straight through the silicone connector. Insert the teeth of one of the clasp pieces through the holes in the silicone connector from the bottom. Fold over the other side of the clasp piece, reinsert the metal link pin and push the clasp to click it into place. Attach the second clasp piece to the other side of the watch band using the same procedure.
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On most brands, there are pins that form hinges for the links of strap. You need to push them out. usually you would find arrows marked from inside of the metal bracelet which show you the direction in which to remove the pins. You can remove it if you have a small watch maker's screwdriver but you have to be careful. or get one of these ..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Watch-bracelet-link-adjuster-remover/dp/B001ZKIL2S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=watch&qid=1254695541&sr=8-1

which should help you to remove the link pins safely without scratching.
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On most brands, there are pins that form hinges for the links of strap. You need to push them out to remove links. Usually you would find arrows marked from inside of the metal bracelet which show you the direction in which to remove the pins. You can remove it if you have a small watch maker's screwdriver but you have to be careful. or get one of these ..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Watch-bracelet-link-adjuster-remover/dp/B001ZKIL2S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=watch&qid=1254695541&sr=8-1

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The links most likely need a tool that will push the pins out so you can adjust the bracelet. This can be easily done by any jeweler or watch store. You can also order these types of tools online to do it yourself at home. Please do not attempt to remove links without the proper tools as you will not be able to remove them and you will also damage both the bracelet and the pins.
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There are small holes at the side of some of the links. You need to push out the small needles or pins in these holes in the direction of the arrows that are marked on the links.

You can use a sewing needle to do that (a blunt one, or break the tip).

When the small pins are pushed out, the links can be detached.

Hope that helps

Cheers Critter

PS: You can find watch repair tools on amaozon that will help you further

Also refer to

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