For removing or adding links firstly you will have to remove
bracelet pins or screws. In case if there are screw on each side of
bracelet - you have to use two screwdrivers simultaneously. In case if
there are pins - read the rest:
You may or may not 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 (screw ends and pin end may look similar). Examine both
bracelet sides and find the side where pin ends have a groove. Start
with a tiny screwdriver and try to unscrew one. If it turns, but doesn't
come out, that means you have a pins instead of screws. 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 punches
check if the split end is coming out and when you see that the pin end
is coming out long enough - grab it with pliers and 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 or adding extra link(s) 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! If you do
not want to do it yourself, any jeweler will do it in a matter of few
minutes.
In addition to the excellent responses above, which I used successfully to remove links from a new Bulova watch, I have something to add. Some watchbands have a tiny sleeve inside the hole in which the pin sits. The purpose of the sleeve is to provide the friction needed to keep the pin in place. I didn't realize this until one of the sleeves fell out while I was doing dissasembly and reassembly, and my newly reinserted pin kept falling out of the hole. The sleeve is essential to keep the pin in place. Good luck if you drop one of the sleeves or pins on the floor, particularly on carpet; the pin or sleeve is very difficult to find! Suggest you work over a table with a fairly large smooth surface, so you can keep track of dropped items.
SOURCE: How to adjust Skagen watch 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 or adding extra link(s) 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.
SOURCE: Watch Band Adjustment
I think maybe we're all too familiar with the little old watchmaker image, loupe in right eye with tiny tools at hand......The links that have the arrows on them are indeed removable, it just takes more force than you might think. I'm in my office, so I used a pushpin (like for bulletin boards) and yep, it took more force than I thought, but the pin did come out the other side. A little tug with needle nose pliers and out it came. Remove link, repeat as necessary. Good luck
SOURCE: adjust expandable watch bands- Timex watch
Most expandable watch bands aren't sizable. IF it is sizable you will be able to tell when you stretch the bracelet out. If it looks like you can unlatch the links when you stretch it out then you might be in luck, but like I said, most are not sizable.
SOURCE: Adjust-a-Casio-S-1087DY-Watch-Band
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
which should help you to remove the link pins safely without scratching.
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