There are no arrows, no obvious pins, no pin latches. This band is different than all of the ones I’ve ever sized. Does anyone know how to remove links from this band?
Edit: user Septimaeus was correct in that it was a fixed link band. The link they provided helped in understanding what is requires to resize, and the band now fits my wrist like it was made for it. Thanks!!
Fixed links are often machine-pressed w/ splined pins. Not designed for easy removal, however they can be removed by disassembly using basic tools and some force.
Disclaimer: while I would encourage you to use this as a learning opportunity if this is an inexpensive homage piece (that band looks like the one used on a number of older model Invicta submariner styles, for example) if it’s expensive or an heirloom, you might instead replace the band to keep the original intact. A lot of watch nerds do that anyway because the variety is fun.
Shoot. That’s what I was afraid of. It’s a Geneva brand. I found it at a thrift store, and thought it looked neat. I don’t actually know the true value.
It looks nice! If it also keeps the time, I’d say it’s a good find. (If by true value you mean resale estimate, about $10-15.)
It’s a good watch to tinker with, if you’d like to try. If your tools are limited or that’s too much hassle, many stylish and inexpensive replacement bands can be found online, even ones that look like the original. I’ll put brief instructions for that below.
If you’d like to replace the band, you can measure the lug width (e.g. 20mm) to find one that’s compatible. When you’re ready to swap the bands, you will find little spring bars beneath the lug joint covers.
If it’s difficult to reach the spring bars through the gaps, you can loosen each cover by slightly bending the two tensioner arms on the underside of the watch.
There are little notches on each side of the spring bar that you can catch with a small tool/knife/fingernail and compress, letting each side of the bracelet free.
Installation of the new band is the reverse but usually easier, especially if your new bracelet style doesn’t use a shroud over the lugs.
Then you’re done!
(Also, if you want to put the joint shrouds back at some point, just remember to pinch the tensioner arms a bit before reinstalling, otherwise they will be noisy when you move your hand.)
Hey there, I just wanted to say I completely agree with Septimaeus because I have a watch with the same style of bracelet (for any watch people reading this, It’s the Casio AE-1200 or the Casio Royale in Stainless Steel). The secret is to get some sort of tool in there and use some force. As you can see from the side, there is a sort of bracket inside each end link that holds the middle links and the entire bracelet together. It’s quite an interesting system. If you want to look it up online, I believe these are known as folded link bracelets.
I recall having a band like that, there were two or three removable sections closest to the watch on each side, those may have been removed already if they aren’t there.
You can get a watch repair kit on Amazon that will have the tools to remove the pins between the links.
I've also had luck going to a department store with a jewelery counter and seeing if they can make adjustments. Especially if it's a brand of watch they carry, you can always say someone got it as a gift for you from that chain of stores.
Ok, I am looking at a similar one right now, and it appears that it has been adjusted.
One side is much shorter than the other and the short side seem to have been opened on the inside between the first and second link from the lock/narrow end. The first full “inside” clamp between two “outside” links has been opened and closed at some point.
There are tools with which you can drive out the pins. They are only good for straight bands, not the tapered ones (unless you don't care for the looks).
It certainly has pins in the normal places. They must have been ground down after they were installed, making them extremely difficult to see.
If it was mine, I would grab each side of a link with a pair of pliers, and alternate between gently squeezing the sides together, and pulling them apart, with a very slight twisting action. I’m not trying to take it apart yet, just get enough movement in the pins to be able to identify them. Once found, remove like normal.
They may be extremely difficult to reinstall…
You could try some of the tricks used to expose the layers in Damascus steel: etching with various acids. The differing steels of the pins and the links may etch differently, revealing the pins.
Edit: at the time of this edit, not one other comment has even attempted to address OP’s question. The only other suggestions have been to move the pin in the clasp (which is so bleedingly obvious that I can’t believe that OP could have missed it; OP needs adjustment beyond the limits of the clasp) or to just buy a new band. (Again, bleedingly obvious).
What I described is certainly feasible for a patient and moderately skilled craftsman, and does not preclude the “advice” presented in other comments.
OP, consider hitting the pliers with an engraver while gently pulling. The vibrations may be enough to move it. If you’re familiar with how metal reacts to a torch and can avoid overheating, a butane torch might help the pins begin to move.
Remember: you’re only trying to find the pins. You’ll need to punch them out.
You have no idea as to OP’s level of skill, nor their motivation. They may be interested in attempting an uneconomical repair for sentimental reasons; they may be trying to determine the feasibility and just need to know what it will take. Or they may be trying to learn a skill they could apply to a more expensive band in the future.
Even if the pins break, they can still be drilled out and replaced entirely.
Another option would be to break off two links, and swap in a spare link from another strap which does have removable pins. Or pop out the link, and braze the ends together. Sure, they would be fused, but we do that with spines, and they remain reasonably functional.
As for your crimped pins; a slot cut across the band to the depth of the crimp would free the pin, and could be repaired with silver solder.
But, we never get to explore any of these options, because we didn’t feel like engaging in any sort of craftsmanship, and skipped straight toward replacement.
I have a beloved swatch from the nineties I am trying to expand the band on for my brother (he has MS so I’m trying to help with this as he has a hard time with phone calls, emails, and so on). Even swatch said all they could do was provide a larger band which was the same size (I am out $50 and they are not responding to my emails asking for a refund or replacement).
Yes I might but was hoping to resolve this with them amicably first. I work for a high volume ecommerce business and we have customers doing this even as we are working to refund them so I try not use this if I can help it (it’s a tiny, tiny percentage of transactions before people start saying we must be terrible at customer service).
For DIY often the only tool needed is something pointy, but most watch stores will do it at the counter for free, especially if they’re a swatch retailer. (Walmart even.)
Is it additional links you’re looking for? Maybe try asking at a Swatch store if you have one nearby!
A few years ago I bought an older Swatch (maybe released 10 years earlier, so we’re not quite talking 90s) on the Internet that showed up in great condition but with the band sized too small and no extra links. The price was great, maybe 1/3 what other examples were going for, so I wanted to avoid returning it if possible.
I took it to a Swatch store, said I’d just received it as a gift, and they pulled out a massive binder loaded with miscellaneous parts. They found the exact links for my band, installed one or two of them for me, polished the watch, apologized for the links not looking completely new… and wouldn’t even let me pay for anything. It was kind of shocking, actually.
I’ll try that. I spent weeks going back and forth with swatch support sending detailed info and pics, then they sent me the “bigger” band and it was same as what we had. Also out $50 some for the strap. Sigh.
Normally these have pins that can be pushed out so you can remove links. The same way one would with tank tracks (which, of course, we all learned to do as children).
On that one, however, it seems to be done by moving the clasp.
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