Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Bill Green. Bill Green is an Expert Jeweler and Appraiser. He is also the Founder & Creative Director of Jewelry & Timepiece Mechanix, and the Founder and Designer of Amaroo Handmade Opal Jewelry, based in Haddonfield, New Jersey. With over 40 years of industry knowledge, he and his team are known for restoring everything from new watches to vintage jewels and being one of the few shops that still design and make jewelry and watches. Jewelry & Timepiece Mechanix is part of the American Society of Jewelers and Gemologists and Ethical Metalsmiths. Bill studied at the Miami Jewelry Institute and the Gemological Institute of America as well as apprenticed with many accomplished craftspeople.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Metal mesh watch straps are a popular option for both men’s and women’s watches. Although these watches operate a little differently from traditional leather- or metal-strap watches, you can easily adjust your mesh watch strap using a flathead screwdriver. Adjust the placement of the sliding clasp on the lower portion of the mesh band to fit the mesh strap comfortably around your wrist.
Things You Should Know
- Place a small flathead screwdriver into the tiny hole on the clasp of your watch band.
- Press down on the screwdriver to open the clasp up.
- Slide the clasp up or down the band to tighten or loosen your watch. Align the clasp on a groove and then press it closed.
Steps
Find a small flathead screwdriver. You will need a small, pointed object to pry open the mesh clasp. The type of screwdriver used to adjust eyeglass screws would work well.[1] A Phillips head screwdriver will not work, since it will be too large to fit into the clasp.- If you do not have a small screwdriver, you could use a different small, blunt tool. For example, try one of the prying tools built into a Swiss Army knife.[2]
- Do not use a knife blade. The point of the knife could slip and scratch the watch, or you could accidentally cut your fingers with the blade.
Hold the clasp steady. Place the watch flat on a table or other firm surface. Use your non-dominant hand to hold the clasp firmly in position.[3]- If you’re not near a table, it’s possible to adjust the clasp if you’re holding the watch in your hand. However, if this is your first time adjusting a mesh watch strap, doing it on a table will make the process easier.
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Place the screwdriver head into the small hole on the clasp. The front side of the clasp (which will be facing up when the watch is laying face-up) will have a small hole about 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) wide directly in its center. You’ll use this hole to pry the strap open. Put the tip of your screwdriver—or other tool—directly into the hole.[4]- The hole will be shaped and sized differently depending on the brand of mesh strap you’re adjusting.
- Some clasps may even have a small arrow pointing to the hole.
Pry the clasp upwards to open it. There will be a small set of hinges at the base of the watch clasp, on the side closest to the watch’s face. Slowly exert pressure down on the screwdriver to pry the top portion of the clasp up and open.[5]- If the clasp doesn’t fully open with the use of the screwdriver, use your thumb and index finger to open it completely.
Slide the clasp up or down the mesh strap. Adjust the clasp to accommodate your wrist.[6] Sliding the clasp farther up the mesh strap (towards the watch) will tighten the strap on your wrist, and sliding the clasp down the mesh strap (away from the watch) will loosen the strap.- Be careful not to drop the clasp on the floor.
Align the back of the clasp with a groove in the mesh watch strap. Due to its design, the back of the mesh watch strap will have a small groove every 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) or so. The back of the clasp will have a corresponding indentation that fits snugly into any of these grooves.[7]- If you try to close the clasp without first having aligned it with a slot in the mesh strap, the clasp will be unable to close.
Close the clasp. Once you’ve found the best position for the watch strap and aligned it with a groove in the mesh strap, close the clasp to lock it in place.[8] You should hear a “pop” sound as the clasp snaps shut.- At this point, the watch is ready to be worn.
Community Q&A
- QuestionWhat if there are not enough grooves on the strap?
Jessica AlcornCommunity AnswerThe watch clasp can only be secured into these grooves, you may need to look into longer watch bands if they are available for your brand.
Video
Tips
Things You’ll Need
- Mesh watch strap
- Metal watch clasp
- Small flathead screwdriver
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about watch repair, check out our in-depth interview with Bill Green.
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6lxPcI_NIg&feature=youtu.be&t=9s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6lxPcI_NIg&feature=youtu.be&t=9s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfIVw3IdmLI&feature=youtu.be&t=1m8s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfIVw3IdmLI&feature=youtu.be&t=1m14s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfIVw3IdmLI&feature=youtu.be&t=1m20s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfIVw3IdmLI&feature=youtu.be&t=1m35s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6lxPcI_NIg&feature=youtu.be&t=27s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfIVw3IdmLI&feature=youtu.be&t=1m39s
About This Article
You can easily adjust your mesh watch strap to fit more comfortably around your wrist. You’ll need a small flathead screwdriver to pry open the metal clasp. Place the watch on a flat surface and hold it steady as you put the screwdriver head into the small hole on the clasp to pry it open. You can now slide the clasp up or down the mesh strap to adjust it to your size. Sliding the clasp up will tighten the watch on your wrist, while sliding it down the strap will loosen the strap. Once you’ve found the right size, align the back of the clasp with a groove in the mesh strap and close it to lock it in place. To learn how to use a Swiss Army knife to adjust your watch strap, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
"Thank you for this article. It took me less than a minute to adjust my mesh watch band. Be careful not to let the clasp slide off. It helps enormously to have an inexpensive watch repair kit."..." more
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