Watch Band length adjustment: PART 2 - How to adjust watch band
Adjusting the fit of a metal watch band is essential in making sure your watch sits comfortably on your wrist. The majority of metal watch bands come in universal sizes. In most cases, they need to be shortened to fit their owner’s wrist.
Luckily, removing link(s) from a metal watch band is a pretty straightforward process, providing you know the procedure and have the right tools. There are several ways to do it, depending on the type of watch band and the tools needed to do it. This article will provide all the info on how to adjust the watch band on your own.
There are two types of metal watch bands that are most frequently used. Adjusting them is a reasonably straightforward process, providing that you have the right tools. Here’s what you need to have and do.
Type 1: Metal watch band with screws link fixing details
As already explained, it is highly advisable to use premium quality screwdrivers to work on metal screws. Let's take MiLTAT watch bands' screws as an example.
Stainless steel watch bands from MiLTAT are all using different types of screws to quickly assemble
MiLTAT's being supreme quality screws, every detail is well thought of. One of the types of stainless steel screws worth mentioning is Blue Loctite screws. Are you interested to know what does this means? If you are a cyclist, you may have ideas.
Blue Loctite is an anaerobic adhesive applied by drops to the threads of the screws. It protects threads from rust and corrosion and prevents loosening from shock and vibration. Safety is the first priority for a cyclist, and that's why Loctite screws are commonly found in a bicycle. Imagine a bike wheel non-stop rotating; it took dozens of screws to assemble them.
In the light of adjusting a metal watch band, this means that a person screwing and unscrewing a blue Loctite screw or even any other screws will have to apply additional pressure to get it moving. And use a premium quality screwdriver to do it without damaging the screw and to make it easier on their fingers and palms.
The process itself is simple and has only two steps, screwing and unscrewing.
How to remove links from watch band that has SCREW links?
- Hold the screwdriver in the center of your palm to secure balance and use three fingers to hold the knurled handle, and insert the blade into the groove of the screw. (This posture can apply additional pressure to get the screw moving IF NEED)
- Press your index finger on the cap to keep balance, use your thumb and fingers to hold the knurled handle and turn gently.
- A counterclockwise rotation unscrews it, while the opposite course screws it back in.
This posture can apply additional pressure to get the screw
moving
Use your thumb and fingers to hold the knurled handle and
turn gently.
Introduction of Watch Band Length Adjustment Screwdrivers
- Japan Made Precision Cut-Out type Screwdriver
- Slotted Blade Watchmaker Small Screwdriver a Set of 5 sizes
- Flat-head Small Screwdriver with Spare Blades (5 sizes options)
- Multi Purpose Traveler's Watch Band Tool, Cut-Out type blade
- Double Ended Screw Removing Tool, Screwdriver Base for changing watch bands
Japan Made Precision Screwdriver Cut-Out type for Watch Bracelet adjustment - 4 interchangeable blades, Details
Type 2: Metal watch band with pins link fixing details
Not all metal watch bands have screw-fixed length adjustment details. For example, original Seiko watch bands, Citizen watch bands, and Orient watch bands have 'pin' fixing points rather than screws.
So, how to remove links from watch band that has Pin-fixed links?
You’ll need link removal tools. These are divided into two categories. There are basic level and advanced level pin removal tools depending on the complexity of the process involved.
Basic level tools
For an easy entry level, two-step pin removal, you'll need a single tool, a watch band's link pin adjuster.
Basic Tool : Watch bracelet link pin adjuster, link remover tool, Details
How to operate a watch band's link pin adjuster?
- Place the watch band flatly on the platform and use the scale to line up the needle with the pinhead.
- Screw the pin remover until the pin is out.
To avoid pins popping out and getting lost, always lay a non-slippery mat or cloth on the work table before any installation.
Advanced level tools
Advanced level tools for resizing pin type metal watch band: bracelet holding block, watchmaker hammer, and pin remover.
Set of 3 sizes Punch Pins - Watch Band Pin Remover, Link Removal Tools, Details
For those who are handier with tools and really concerned about performance, there is an advanced level pin removal process. It will require the use of three tools: a watch bracelet holding block, a watchmaker hammer, and a pin remover.
- Position the watch band securely in the slots of a holding block.
- Place the tip of a pin remover against the pin's head of the link you wish removed.
- Use the hammer to gently knock on the pin remover, which will push the pinout.
Keep the push pin straight while hammering
Introduction of Watch Band Length Adjustment Tools
- All in one - watch band pin removal tool
- Bracelet Holding Block Standard Slots
- Watch Hammer
- Punch Pins
In Summary
Adjusting a metal watch band is essentially a simple process. There are only two conditions that need to be met to remove or add a link to a watch band successfully: using premium quality tools appropriate to screws and pins used to connect the links and being patient to do each of the link removal steps in a proper sequence.
Written by S.K., images by Toni
Related article
How to Shorten a Seiko Watch Band
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Also in Guide to watch straps
GEORGE SKLAVOUNOS
April 19, 2024
Hello!! How to remove the links that have the SHORT screws? From one side the links have LONG screws and on the other side the links have SHORT screws. When i take off the short screws the link doesn’t move. Thank you.