Q&A for How to Adjust a Watch Band

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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

Yes, you can adjust a watch band without removing the links, depending on the type of watch. Some watches feature a snap-down deployment buckle with holes along the side. These holes indicate the positions where the bracelet can be adjusted using a spring bar mechanism. By depressing the spring bar and moving the buckle closer to the center, you effectively shorten the bracelet without removing any links. This method allows for minor adjustments to improve the fit. However, the availability of this feature varies depending on the watch model.

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Question

What about watches with an arrow? Which way do I go?

Community Answer

Push the pin out in same direction that arrow points. Do the opposite when reassembling.

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Question

Can I add links to my watch? Because it's too tight.

Community Answer

Yes, that is perfectly possible. You may need to buy them from the manufacturer if you do not have any extra links.

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Question

Where do I get the tools to do this?

Community Answer

You can purchase kits online and at watch stores.

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Question

Where do I get push pins?

Community Answer

You can get push pins from any retail store. If you can't find them there, you can buy them online from retailers like Amazon.

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Question

My watch is too loose. Can I throw it away?

Community Answer

You can, but remove the battery first. Dispose of the battery in an environmentally responsible way.

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Question

Where can I get new bands for a watch?

Community Answer

Typically from the manufacturer. However, if you there is a scenario where you do not know the manufacturer or cannot get in touch with them, you can always try online marketplaces.

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Question

Where can I get my watch adjusted and set on Long Island, and what will it cost?

Community Answer

In your search engine of choice, type "watch repair near me". There is no standard fee; different shops charge different rates for services. Call, email or message the shops that appear in your search results describing what you'd like done and ask for rates.

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Question

Can I do this without pushpins?

Community Answer

Yes. You can use any small, pointed item, like a safety pin, small precision tool, etc.

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Question

Can I use a thumbtack instead of a pushpin?

Community Answer

Yes; however, I have the best luck with a large safety pin. You can also try a very small screwdriver from a jewelers kit or an eyeglass repair kit. Possibly grind the screwdriver down to the shape or diameter you need, as the screwdriver point will be of a harder metal than a safety pin or thumb tack.

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Question

How can I know from what side to push out the pin if there is no arrow or the watchband? Isn't one end of the pin wider than the other side?

Jessica Alcorn

Community Answer

You would want to remove the links closer to the clasp, identify the removable links by pushing the pins from the side with no seam or split.

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Question

The pins on my blue marin band look like very tiny screw heads. Is unusual?

Jessica Alcorn

Community Answer

Some links are held together by screws rather than pins, these can be removed using a small screwdriver.

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Question

How do I adjust my watch band if it has tiny screws instead of pins?

Jessica Alcorn

Community Answer

You can remove the screws using special small screwdrivers, usually a flat head.

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Question

If my band has to have an uneven number of links in order to fit... is there a preferred side of the watch I should have the extra link?

Jessica Alcorn

Community Answer

Ideally you would want to have more links on the 12 o clock side so you would remove the link from the 6 o clock.

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Question

How do I adjust my watch band if it doesn't have a clasp at the end?

Jessica Alcorn

Community Answer

You do not need to remove the clasp to adjust the bracelet, this is an unnecessary step.

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