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

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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]XResearch source} To measure:
- Position the watch on your wrist exactly the way you intend to wear it.^{[2]XResearch 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]XResearch source}
- 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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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]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Round or Flat Cotter Pins

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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]XResearch 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]XResearch source}
- 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]XResearch source}
- 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.
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]XResearch source}
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]XResearch source}
- The primary reason for removing bands on both sides of the clasp is to keep everything symmetrical.
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]XResearch source}
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]XResearch source}
- 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

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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]XResearch source}
- Use a pair of tweezers or pliers to grab the screw before it falls if you want to avoid losing it.
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]XResearch source}
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]XResearch source}

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Stretch Band

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Place the watch face down on your work surface and bend the top edge flaps of the section you intend to remove.^{[15]XResearch source}
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]XResearch source}
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]XResearch source}
- Completely remove the links to free up your band.
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]XResearch source}

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Snap Links

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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]XResearch source}
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]XResearch source}
Keep applying gentle pressure as you gently "rock" the band to complete the mechanism's release. With luck, you should jiggle the links free.
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.
With the links disengaged, gently pull the links apart. Repeat this process for all of the links you’re taking out.^{[21]XResearch source}
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]XResearch source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
Can I adjust a watch band without removing the links?
Bill Green
Jewelry & Watch Expert, Designer, Gold, Silver, and Platinum Smith.
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.
Bill Green
Jewelry & Watch Expert, Designer, Gold, Silver, and Platinum Smith.
Expert Answer
It would depend on what type of watch or watch bands you have. If you have an adjustable watch band, first examine the snap-down deployment buckle on your watch. Look for small holes or dots located on the side of the buckle, near its edge. These holes indicate the attachment points for the spring bar inside the buckle. To make the band smaller, depress the spring bar and slide the buckle closer to the center. By doing this, you effectively shorten the bracelet by the distance between the dots. Depending on the design of your watch, there may be some flexibility in how much you can adjust it in this manner. However, the extent of adjustability varies depending on the specific watch model.
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How tight is a metal watch band supposed to be?
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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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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.
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What do I do if the links don’t have arrows?
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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.
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If you're having trouble seeing when you remove watch links, use a mounted magnifying glass to enhance the pins, links, and other small watch parts.
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