How to Adjust a Watch Band

While you can always take your watch to a jeweler and have them resize it for you, why not save yourself some cash and do it yourself? It’s a lot easier than it looks, and you probably have everything you need at home already. In this article, we’ll show you how to remove sections from your watch so that it fits perfectly, regardless of the type of band links you have.

Things You Should Know

For links with round or flat pins, just push out the connecting pins with a tack or removal tool. Then, remove the links and reinstall the pins to lock them in place.
Use a screwdriver to remove pins with screw slots in them and separate the links you want to take out before reinstalling the screw pins.
Remove stretch band links by bending the top edge flaps of the bracelet, opening the bottom edge flaps, and removing the links.
For snap-type links, use a pin pusher to remove the connecting pin, then gently disassemble the links before snapping the links closed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Measuring and Setting Up any Watch

1
Measure the watch band to figure out how many links to remove. You want a little breathing room on your wrist, so measure the exact size of your wrist then leave at least 1 extra link in.^{[1]
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Research source} To measure:
- Position the watch on your wrist exactly the way you intend to wear it.^{[2]
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  Research source} When you are satisfied with the way it is positioned, turn your wrist over so that the watch band clasp side is facing up.
- Gather the slack in the band and hold the links together to simulate them being removed. Stop gathering the links up when the watch band fits your wrist just the way you like.
- The number of loose links tells you how many links to take out.
2
Gather the tools you’ll use to remove watch band links. Every watch may look different, but they’re all assembled using the same principles, so you shouldn’t require any fancy, obscure tools. You’ll likely need:^{[3]
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- A thin, pointy object like a thumb tack or a tool designed for watch pin removal.
- Long-nosed pliers.
- A small mallet.
- A 1 mm screwdriver.
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3
Grab a parts tray and prepare your work area. Make sure that your work area is free from clutter. Set out a bowl or container to hold any tiny watch pieces, as well. This way, any tiny small pieces won't get lost.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Round or Flat Cotter Pins

1
Separate the bracelet from the strap if it comes apart. With some metal watch straps, it is necessary to separate the bracelet before you can remove any links.^{[5]
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Research source} To do this:
- Remove the spring bar from the watch strap clasp. To identify which spring bar it is, hold the clasp in your left hand, and it will be the one on the left side.
- Use the spring bar removal tool or pin pusher to compress the spring bar and lever it out of the clasp.
- Be careful that it doesn't spring across the room, because this is the only one you have!
- Note: Cotter pins are the thin rods that run through links to connect them. The vast majority of watches use a cotter pin system as outlined here.
2
Unlock the links with your pin pusher or removal tool. Look for the round pin that’s flush with the side of the link. Use the pin pusher or spring bar removal tool to push the pin that secures that particular link, following the direction of the printed arrows on the underside of the metal link.^{[6]
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- You should be able to push the pin 2 or 3 mm and then pull it out from the other side using your pair of pliers or by hand.
- Place the pin in your parts tray, you will need it to put the bracelet back together again.
3
Watch out for a small metal ferrule falling out. Some watch bands contain small metal ferrules in the middle of joining links that pop out when you take a pin out. It may fall onto the floor or work station, so keep an eye out for anything dropping on the floor.^{[7]
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- Watch ferrules are small, hollow canisters that hold the pins in place. They’ll look like little cylinders, but they’re the size of a pea.
4
Punch out the link's second pin to fully remove it. Repeat the pin removal process on the link's other pin. When you have finished, you should have two pins (and possibly two ferrules) ready to use later.^{[8]
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5
Continue removing any additional links you’re taking out. If necessary, remove another link on the other side of the clasp, using the same process. When you have removed all of the links, put the bracelet back together.^{[9]
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- The primary reason for removing bands on both sides of the clasp is to keep everything symmetrical.
6
Reconnect the clasp if you took it off. To reconnect the clasp, do the reverse of the disconnecting process. Make sure that the clasp is the right way round and replace the spring bars.^{[10]
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7
Reassemble the watch band with the extra links removed. After removing the links, replace the pin to close off the end of the link. Set the pin in the opposite direction to the arrows and slide it into place.^{[11]
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- If your watch band has ferrules, place the ferrule in the middle of the link that you are joining up, and when you push the pin back into the hole, engage the ferrules.
- If the pins aren’t fully set in place, gently tap the pin back into place using your small hammer.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Screw Pins

1
Unscrew the pins where the two links connect. Use a 1 mm screwdriver to remove the required screw. Apply light pressure and turn the screwdriver in a counterclockwise motion until the screw pops out.^{[12]
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- Use a pair of tweezers or pliers to grab the screw before it falls if you want to avoid losing it.
2
Remove the links once the pins are unscrewed. With the screws out, your chosen link can easily be separated from the watch band. Repeat this process for each link that you’re removing.^{[13]
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3
Reassemble the watch band. Once you’ve removed the necessary number of links, reassemble your watch band by simply reconnecting the links using the removed screws and the screwdriver.^{[14]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Stretch Band

1
Bend the edge flaps at the top of the link out. Place the watch face down on your work surface and bend the top edge flaps of the section you intend to remove.^{[15]
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2
Open the bottom edge flaps. Flip the watch over and snap open the bottom edge flaps. These are located directly on the opposite of the top flaps you’ve already opened.^{[16]
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3
Remove the links by sliding them out by hand. Take the link out by sliding the section you want to remove sideways. This disengages the staples that hold the links together.^{[17]
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- Completely remove the links to free up your band.
4
Put the bracelet back together. To do this, engage the staples on both sides of the strap at the same time. Then, snap all of the flaps back into place.^{[18]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Snap Links

1
Remove the pins with a thumb tack or pin pusher. Locate the tiny pins embedded in the watch’s band. These hold the links together. Remove the pin from the link you want to take out by pushing it through with a thumb tack or pin removal tool. Make sure you follow the direction of the arrow marked on the underside of the link.^{[19]
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2
Apply gentle pressure to unlock the bands. Hold the band firmly, with one hand on either side of the links where you just removed the pin. Gently apply an upward pressure on the side of the link which is closest to the case. At the same time, apply a gentle downwards pressure on the side nearest the clasp. You should be able to feel the mechanism disengaging.^{[20]
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3
Release the mechanism. Keep applying gentle pressure as you gently "rock" the band to complete the mechanism's release. With luck, you should jiggle the links free.
4
Dissemble the links. When the mechanism holding the links together is unlocked, take the links apart by moving the clasp side of the strap towards the case, which is the central part of the watch with the dials.
5
Remove the links you’re taking out to resize the watch. With the links disengaged, gently pull the links apart. Repeat this process for all of the links you’re taking out.^{[21]
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6
Reassemble the watch band. Reverse your steps to put the watch back together. Jiggle the links together, lock them into place, and insert the pins to keep the watch from coming apart.^{[22]
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Community Q&A

Question

How tight is a metal watch band supposed to be?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

The watch should be snug enough so it doesn’t slide around a lot (the rule of thumb is that it shouldn’t slide down more than 2 in (5 cm) when you let your arm hang down), but not so tight that it feels uncomfortable or leaves imprints in your wrist.
Question

What do I do if the links don’t have arrows?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If none of the links have arrows, push the pins through from the side where you can’t see a seam in the pin. If some links have arrows and others don’t, you won’t be able to remove the links without arrows.
Question

How do I remove pins from a watch strap?

Community Answer

Use a very strong and thin needle. There's a small hole on the other end of the pin, so insert the needle and just push the pin out.