When
buying a watch with a metal bracelet or expansion strap you may
find that the strap needs to be adjusted for the correct fit, you
may have to take a link out. This is often referred to as 'sizing
a watch', 'sizing the bracelet' or just 'watch sizing'.
As this 'sizing' can only be performed with the owner being present,
watch vendors supply these styles of watches unsized and so you
may need to visit a local jeweler to request this service. When
purchasing online many vendors can do it for you if you tell them
the size of your wrist in inches. But if you want to make the watch
strap adjustment yourself, then please read the following watch
bracelet adjustment instructions.
The following
watch bracelet instructions will guide you in how to remove links
from a watch band. These instructions cover most of the wristwatch
bands in use today including the friction clasp bracelet, expansion
bracelet, fold over clasp, bayonette-type bracelet and 'Capsa' style
pin and tube. Be careful not to scratch or damage the watch. It
is also a good idea to keep any links you remove just in case you
need them again at a later date.
How
to remove links in a bayonette-type watch bracelet
In this type of bracelet construction, the adjustable links slide
into each other from the side. The screws act as a retainer to hold
the links together. Using the correct sized screwdriver, turn the
screw counterclockwise until it is free. Remove the screw and slide
the link out sideways. To reassemble, reverse the procedure.
How to remove links in a
tongue and groove watch bracelet
As in the bayonette type of watch bracelet link, the adjustable
links slide into each other from the side. The retaining screws,
however, are on the underside of the bracelet. Again, using the
correct sized screwdriver, turn the screw counterclockwise until
it is free. Remove the screw and slide the bracelet link out sideways.
To reassemble, reverse the procedure.
Note: When reassembling the watch bracelet, carefully check
the bracelet link alignment to be certain that the screw hole is
clear.
How to remove links in a single-screw watch bracelet
To size watch bracelets with this construction, simply remove the
screws in the side holding the bracelet links. However, there are
two important points to remember:
• Always use a properly fitting screwdriver.
• A stubborn screw can often be loosened by first tightening
the screw slightly.
How to adjust watch bracelet with twin-screw links
Some styles use a twin-screw set to hold the links for sizing. Since
these screws turn together, it is necessary to use two screwdrivers
to remove the screws. One procedure which can be used is as follows:
• Wrap the bracelet with a protective material such as masking
tape and secure it in a vise.
• Using two properly fitting screwdrivers, hold one screwdriver
steady while turning the other counterclockwise.
How to adjust a fold-over clasp
This type of clasp is primarily adjusted by moving the spring bar
to one of several holes in the clasp cover itself. Additional adjustment
can usually be performed on the bracelet via screws or pins as described
elsewhere in these instructions. Remove the spring bar by depressing
one end using a pin pusher, a small diameter metal stem with a flattened
end (a paper clip will do fine). Reinstall by placing one end of
the spring bar in the desired hole, then depress the upper end and
seat the hole opposite.
Sizing
expansion bracelets
For this type of bracelet the links can be removed anywhere along
the length of the bracelet:
• Measure the band. (A good method is to attach one end to
the case and wrap the band around your wrist. Count the overlap
and add one. This determines the number of links to be removed)
• Lay the bracelet on a work surface face down, bend down the
top edge flaps of the section to be removed.
• Turn over the bracelet and open the bottom edge flaps immediately
to the left of the top flaps previously opened.
• Slide the section to be removed sideways. The staples holding
the links together will disengage.
• Reassemble the bracelet. Engage the staples on both sides
simultaneously. Close all the flaps.
How
to remove links in bracelets with pins or clips
Links held with pins
Some bracelets use friction pins (there are no well defined screwdriver
slots) to hold the links for sizing the bracelet. There are two
basic types of pins, either straight pins or split pins. The direction
to push is usually shown by an arrow on the bracelet underside.
Always remove and install split pins head first in the direction
indicated by the arrows. To remove these pins, a pin pushing tool
is used which can be made from a watch screwdriver by grinding the
tip flat. However, for this particular tool, it is far easier to
have the correct watch maker's link pin removal pliers which we
would be happy to supply.
To size, first try pushing the pins out by hand. If this doesn't
work then put the bracelet on a work surface on top of a block of
hard wood with a small hole drilled in it, slightly bigger than
the pin to be removed. Using masking tape to protect the strap,
position the pin over the hole and tap the pin out from the top
with the pin pusher.
How to remove links in a 'Capsa' style pin and tube bracelet
This style of bracelet incorporates a hollow tube as an anchor to
secure the pins connecting the links. There are two basic types
of 'Capsa' style links, each connected in a slightly different way.
To remove
the first type of 'Capsa' style link, using the pin pusher, remove
the pin securing the link and pull the pin completely out of the bracelet
link. Take care not to lose the tubing when disassembling the links.
To reassemble the links, insert the tube, assemble the links and then
insert the pin.
To adjust the other type of 'Capsa' style link bracelet, locate the
angled recess on the backside of the bracelet. Using a suitable screwdriver
blade, force the blade into the recess. Twist the blade to pry off
the cap and then continue to use pressure to completely remove the
cap from the tube. Remove the tube and disassemble the required links.
After reassembling the links, push the caps into the tubes.
Clip-shaped pins
This type of friction clip is generally found on watches with fold
over (three part) clasps, the double deployment folding clasp. To
remove links, using a pin pusher, fine needlenose pliers or a screwdriver,
insert the tool into the hole or open space of the clip and push
out the clip. After sizing, when reassembling the links, be certain
to push the clip fully back into the link.
'Sliding clip' type removable links
Removable links for these bracelets use a sliding clip or lock to
hold the links together. To remove these links, on the backside
of the bracelet, lift the tab (which has a small depression in the
center) with a small screwdriver and slide the lower section in
the direction of the arrow. The links can now be separated. To reassemble,
reverse the procedure.
