Many watches have straps that are instantly adjustable because they are made of leather or plastic with holes and clasps for easy adjustment. However, many branded watches and watch straps require you to unscrew the metal to reduce the size of the watch. At first, this may seem difficult, but you can do this yourself at home with simple tools. You don't have to take your watch to a jeweler or service center and pay for service.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Measuring Your Watch
Step 1. Before customizing, put on your watch
You need to measure how big your watch is.
- If the watch is too loose, you will need to unscrew a lot of joints.
- If your watch is just a little loose and you're not afraid it might come off, it's best to leave your watch as it is, unless the slack bothers you.
- If your watch is too small, you will need to purchase more splices from the manufacturer to make your watch chain longer.
Step 2. Find the clothespin
Pinch the band from the clasp to your wrist to find the right size.
- Make sure the number of joints to be removed on the right and left of the clamp is the same.
- This will keep the brace in the center of your wrist.
- Write down the number of joints you must remove from both sides of the clamp.
Step 3. Prepare your equipment
There are a few things you will need to customize your watch chain strap.
- You will need two tacks. You'll use these tacks to push the pins that make the chain links work together.
- Have pliers with sharp spouts ready to help you remove the watch pins.
- You will need a small jewelry hammer.
- Make sure you are working on a flat surface with good lighting. You have to collect all the pins that you remove from the chain.
Part 2 of 2: Disconnecting the Rope Chain
Step 1. Place the watch sideways on a flat surface
Make sure that there is about 1.25 cm of clearance between the base of the joint and its flat surface.
- Calculate the length of the joint piece that you need to remove.
- Find the pin that secures the end of the joint.
- You will start disconnecting here.
Step 2. Take one of the tacks to push the pin holding the joint in place
- Press the pointed end of the tacks against the head of the joint pin.
- If the connection pins budge, use your jeweler's hammer to push the tacks head into the joint pin holes.
- A small portion of the joint pin should appear on the other side of the joint.
- Use a hammer to push the joint pin further until the joint pin pops out.
Step 3. Remove the pins with pliers
You may have to pull a little harder to get the pin out.
- Once the joint pin is out of the hole on the bottom side of sufficient length, you can use pliers to pull it out.
- Clamp the ends of the pins firmly with small pliers.
- Pull the pin out.
- The connection on the top side should have been removed.
- You'll need to repeat this process for the other side of your bracelet.
Step 4. Remove the clamp from the end of the disconnected joint
You'll need to re-attach this clamp when you're done adjusting the size.
- Remove using the same technique as removing the joint.
- There should be a pin holding the clamp to the joint. Remove the pin with a hammer, tacks and pliers.
- After this you can reattach the clamp to the chain strap.
Step 5. Attach the clamp back to the chain strap
Place the clamp joint with the end of your watch chain strap connection.
- You should clearly see the hole where the pin connects the clamp to the joint.
- Take one of the pins you removed, and insert it into the hole.
- Make sure that almost all of the pin goes into the hole, except for the tip.
- Gently strike the end with a hammer until the entire pin is in.
- Repeat this process on the other side of the clamp.
- Your watch is now customized.
Step 6. Try on your watch
A watch should fit in your hand without being too loose or too tight.
- If you make it too narrow, try reattaching the joints to both sides of the chain strap.
- If it's still loose, recalculate how many joints you have to remove to make your watch fit and comfortable.
- Use your watch for a few days to ensure its comfort.
Tips
- Be careful when using a screwdriver.
- Use a hard flat surface for this action, so you can minimize the movement of the watch you are trying to adjust.
