How to shorten and reduce metal, ceramic, and elastic bracelets on men’s and women’s watches yourself: methods. How to remove a link from a watch bracelet?

How to reduce the bracelet on a watch with your own hands?

As a rule, most wristwatches that go on sale have a bracelet with a reserve. Thus, manufacturers of such products are trying to make their product accessible to people with different hand sizes. But unfortunately, it is precisely this excessive concern for customers that causes problems for people with graceful and small hands.

Having brought the purchase home, they have to think about how they can fit the bracelet to their hand. Of course, the easiest way to fix this problem is to take your watch to a workshop and have it checked by a qualified technician. But as practice shows, most people do not have the opportunity to do this, and for this reason they have to shorten the bracelet with their own hands. We will tell you how to do this correctly in our article.

How to shorten or reduce a metal bracelet on men's and women's watches yourself?

A device for reducing the bracelet on a watch.
The good thing about a metal bracelet is that it can be adjusted better than others. Moreover, at the moment you can find a special device on sale with which you can easily tame the bracelet. All you have to do is simply place it inside the device, securely fix it, and then start turning the special handle.

You will have to twist it until it completely unscrews the pin that holds the link. At the very end, all you have to do is remove it and then fasten the parts of the bracelet together. If you do not have such a device, try reducing the size of the bracelet by moving its lock buckle.

So:

If the buckle is attached to the strap with a simple lock, then simply unclip it and move it to the desired length.
If it is secured with a pin, you will have to remove it first
Carefully open the lock buckle and find the pin that secures it.
Remove the pin and then move the buckle to the desired distance
Fasten the pin back and can snap the lock

Yes, and remember, so that you don’t end up having to untwist the bracelet several times, be sure to initially decide what the length should be. When measuring, keep in mind that the steel strap will not spring or stretch. Therefore, it will be better if you add at least 3 mm to the data obtained.

Removing links

First you need to separate the bracelet from the watch. This is done by removing the rod from the fastener. Removing it is easy - just use a regular thin awl. Just press carefully and do not overdo it with unnecessary effort so that the small part does not fly off somewhere far away.

For this reason, the workplace must be perfectly prepared. Cover it with paper to prevent small items from getting lost.

Now select the segment to delete. Again it’s time to use an awl - it’s much easier for them to squeeze out the rod. Take a closer look at the link - at its lower part there should be arrows indicating the direction. The ideal solution in such a situation would be to press with an awl, and further removal would be done with the help of pliers. Do not scatter the parts, but collect them in a matchbox or put them somewhere else.

When the first rod is removed, it will be time to remove the second. When you complete the process, pick up the small tips that hold the axle. In the next step, remove the second link.

How to remove a link from a watch bracelet?

Recommendations for removing bracelet links
If the watch buckle cannot be moved, you will have to remove the extra links. This can be done using needle-nose pliers and a thin awl or a large needle. If you wish, you can use standard pliers instead of needle-nose pliers, but be prepared for the fact that it will be more difficult for them to grip the thin pin that connects the links to each other.

So:

Carefully lay out the bracelet and indicate how many links you will need to remove. Please note that if you have to remove a lot, you will need to do this on both sides of the strap. If you remove a large piece from one side, then after putting the watch on your hand you will see that it is slightly shifted to the side.
Carefully inspect the segments of the bracelet and find the hole into which the locking pin is inserted. As soon as you find it, take the awl in your hands and gently press it. Try to place the awl exactly in the center of the hole, otherwise you will not be able to push the pin beyond the links.
If the pin is tight, take a small hammer and lightly tap the pin. As soon as it appears on the back side, grab it with needle nose pliers and remove it from the link. In the same way, remove the pin from the other side of the link.
After removing the excess links, place the bracelet on your hand and check whether the watch is symmetrical. If everything is fine, you can take any of the previously removed pins and fix the bracelet segments together.

Additional tips and tricks

When removing excess links on a metal bracelet, it is necessary to do this symmetrically and remove the same number of them from each side. If the person who will be performing this procedure has poor vision, it is best to use a magnifying glass and put small parts in a special container to prevent their loss.

Do not rush when disassembling the holder and removing the auxiliary brackets. Sudden movements can cause auxiliary tools such as an awl or a screwdriver to slip on metal parts. Doing so may damage the strap or cause noticeable scratches, which will detract from the beautiful appearance of the watch.

How to shorten or reduce a ceramic bracelet on men's and women's watches yourself?

Recommendations for removing links from a ceramic bracelet

I would like to say right away that the ceramic bracelet is very fragile, so it is advisable to carry out all work with it as carefully as possible. This means that when using pliers and an awl, you must do everything smoothly, trying not to damage the ceramic material.
Also remember that these watches do not like shocks, so it will be better if the surface on which the work will be carried out will be pre-covered with a soft cloth or at least a cotton towel.
Yes, and do not forget that in this case it is best to shoot the outermost segments. This means that you will first need to remove the watch strap, and then remove one segment from each side.

So:

Lay the bracelet on a soft cloth with the end facing you
We take the extreme link and look for torsion bar brackets
Carefully open them and use needle-nose pliers to remove the excess link
We do the same with the other side of the bracelet.
Once the excess links have been removed, all you have to do is click the brackets back and you can fix the strap on the watch

How to distinguish an original from a fake?

Casio products

is very popular in the world, which leads to the emergence of a large number of fakes.
A low-quality product can be identified by several characteristics:

Marking.
The model name and module number must be printed on the surface of the watch and the packaging. It should be noted that these values are not unique and may be present on many modifications. Moreover, this information must be located on the back cover of the watch. Also, using this alphanumeric combination, you can easily find information about a specific model on the official website. All data on the case and box must match.

Package.
All watches of this company are sold in original packaging, which is visually distinguished by good quality indicators.
So, for example, the G-Shock
is packaged in a round metal can with a foam lining. Some modifications are equipped with hexagonal containers. If you bought a product in paper or low-quality metal packaging, then there is a high probability of purchasing a fake. All original cans have a special number that is stamped on its inside.

Accompanying documents.
All watches are accompanied by instructions, which are translated into several languages. In addition, in addition to this, the products must be issued with an official warranty from the manufacturer or an official dealer. The warranty card must be signed by the seller and the buyer. It must also have a special hologram and a unique number.

Almost always, a new metal watch bracelet needs to be adjusted to fit your wrist. The easiest way is to ask for help at your nearest watch repair shop. The work does not take much time and for a small fee, in the presence of the client, they will carry out all the necessary manipulations for the bracelet.

But if the owner of a new watch has time and the desire to carry out all the simple work himself, this will not cause big problems.

How to shorten or reduce the elastic band on your watch yourself?

Recommendations for removing links from an elastic bracelet
Before you begin to shorten an elastic bracelet, first inspect it carefully. You should find the U-shaped brackets that connect the individual links of the bracelet together. Initially, it may seem to you that they are not there at all. But if you look closely, you will be able to notice very thin metal clamps that hold the individual segments together. So you will need to get them out with pliers.

So:

Place the bracelet so that you can clearly see the U-shaped bracket
Grasp it with needle-nose pliers as carefully as possible and begin to carefully remove
Do not rush under any circumstances so that it does not become deformed or broken.
Place the staple on a piece of paper and slide the released link
If you do everything correctly, then in your hands instead of a whole part you will get two
We count out the required number of extra segments, remove the U-shaped bracket again and move the bracelet
After removing all excess, we connect the parts of the bracelet and fix everything with a bracket

We measure the required length

If you decide to shorten the bracelet, it is important to know how much. This can be determined through a series of simple operations.

Place the watch on your wrist. Once they are positioned correctly, turn your hand to point the clasp upward.
Gather the links together so that your hand is wrapped tightly.
Look what you got. Excess segments that dangle or hang down will need to be removed.
If you cannot determine at first glance how many links should be removed, then remove one less than you want. It’s simply easier to reduce than to add.
It is better to remove an even number of links. If you remove one from each side, the clasp will still be in the center.

Now prepare your tools: hammer, screwdriver, awl and pliers.

How to shorten or reduce a bracelet or strap on a Casio Edifice, Orient, Swatch watch: methods

Casio watches
In principle, if you buy an original Casio watch, then you will have to shorten its bracelet by removing excess links. This means that you will need to find the pin that connects the individual segments, remove it as we taught you a little higher, and then remove all excess.

Also, for such watches, a method in which the torsion bars are removed may be suitable. Since we have already told you above how to properly shorten a bracelet using these two methods, now we will reveal a few secrets that will help you not spoil your expensive accessory.

So:

The links of such watches are best removed from one side. As a rule, this is enough for them to fit perfectly on the hand.
To find the right side, you just need to carefully examine the bracelet. Manufacturers of this brand of watches provide in advance the possibility of adjusting the length, so on the right side of the bracelet they slightly deepen the pins that connect the segments.
Also in the area of the removable segments you will see arrows that will tell you in which direction it is best to remove parts of the bracelet.

How to determine how many fragments still need to be removed?

You need to remove the links symmetrically on both sides, otherwise your watch will lose its appearance and will not fit correctly on your wrist, causing you some inconvenience.

Your next action should be to remove another component of the bracelet, but on the other side of the clasp. It is advisable that you remove an even number of pieces.

We continue this way until the watch fits the size of your wrist.

Your next step should be to assemble the shortened bracelet.

Remove the links from the stretch strap

How to remove extra links on a watch:

First you need to measure the length of the strap. To do this, connect one end of the bracelet and its body.
Then wrap it around your wrist.
Next you need to count the number of parts that overlap each other.
Add one more to this number - this calculates the number of elements to be removed.

Important! With this watch model, it is possible to remove excess segments from any part of the bracelet.

Place the clock on the desktop so that the dial is at the bottom.
At the end of the bracelet, bend the section of the upper torsion brackets, which will later be removed.
Open the lower torsion brackets.
After this, we turn the clock over and unclip the lower torsion bar brackets.

Important! They are located on the left side of the upper torsion brackets, which were previously bent.

Remove excess segments. To do this, you need to move the selected element to the side. This procedure will allow automatic release of the bracket, which is used to fasten all the links together.
After this, you need to reassemble the metal strap. To do this, fasten the staples on both sides of the bracelet at the same time, and this procedure must be carried out before you are about to snap the torque tubes back.

Putting it back together

When the excess links are removed, the fastenings will need to be restored. Don't forget about the arrows. We stick the pins in the opposite direction. The rods can be hammered in with gentle hammer blows. Once they are in place, you will need to secure them with tips.

Then bring the clasp to the dial and connect them. The watch should now sit comfortably. This can be corrected by inserting rods into the spare holes. It is better to tidy up the extra pins - they may be useful in the future.

You can also remove the links using a screwdriver if they were secured with miniature screws. The main thing in this matter is not to overdo it, otherwise you will have to insert the links again.

How to reduce the bracelet on a watch with your own hands?

Preparatory work - taking the correct measurements

Before shortening the strap, you need to measure its length to understand how many elements need to be removed. In order not to make a mistake in performing this procedure, you have to carry out the preparatory work:

You need to put the watch you bought on your wrist the way you intend to wear it.
When you have chosen the most convenient placement, you need to turn your wrist so that the bracelet clasp is at the top.
When the metal bracelet on your wrist is in a fastened state, you need to assemble its parts together to simulate the desired length.
When the metal strap fits your hand perfectly, you have achieved the desired result.
It is necessary to look at where the parts are assembled on the wrist, since sometimes there is a wristwatch design in which the links do not always touch each other.
Excess dangling elements of a metal bracelet tell you that these parts need to be removed first.

Important! If you doubt the exact number of bracelet links to be shifted, then in this case it is better to shorten one less segment. It is much easier to subsequently remove another element of the product than to add it back if the arm circumference was measured incorrectly.

Now you can start removing unnecessary parts.

Removal using a spring puller or a thin awl

Before removing excess parts, it is necessary to separate the bracelet from the watch, and only after that you can begin to remove the segments.

Let's look at the step-by-step process of how to remove links on a watch:

Decide which element of the product you are going to remove.
Remove the pin from the metal bracelet clasp.
Using a thin awl or spring puller, press the pin out of the bracelet clasp.

Important! This procedure must be carried out extremely carefully, since with the slightest carelessness the rod can bounce somewhere in the room and get lost.

To extrude the rod that holds a particular link together, follow the direction of the printed arrows. They are located at the bottom of the link.
Press out the rod by 3-4 mm, after which it can be removed with pliers or by hand.
It is better to put all the rods in a prepared tray for parts, since you will need them in the future so that you can reassemble the bracelet.

Important! Also watch out for the small metal tips. Some models of wristwatches have small metal tips at the central point where the links connect, which are removed along with the axis. One wrong move and they could end up on the work surface of the table, or even worse, on the floor.

Remove the second pin from the segment. To do this, repeat the same procedure that you performed with the first rod. You should end up with two tips and two pins.
Then remove the second piece to remove any excess links from the watch.

Important! If the need arises, you need to move the next element to the other side of the bracelet.

When the required number of segments have been removed, the bracelet must be reconnected.
In order to assemble the watch strap, you need to reinsert the removed pins.

Important! The studs must be inserted in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrows.

If your model has tips, then they must be placed in the center of the link.
Next, press the rod back into the hole and secure it on top with the tip.

Important! If necessary, you need to carefully drive the rod in with a small hammer.

Now you have to reattach the clasp. To do this, perform actions that are the exact opposite of the previous steps.
After this, we connect the clasp to the dial and insert the rods back.

Trying on a watch with a shortened strap:

When you have removed the correct number of elements, the strap will fit perfectly on your hand.
If a bracelet with a watch hangs on your hand, most likely you incorrectly calculated the number of components to remove. If a similar situation arises, you can remove another segment.
If the strap is slightly tight, it is necessary to adjust its length. To do this, you need to insert fastener pins into the spare holes.

Important! It is advisable to leave the excess tips and rods and not throw them away, since they can be used in the future.

Tools for work

How to remove unnecessary links from a watch? To properly shorten the bracelet, you need to prepare the following tools in advance:

a thin object with a pointed end - for example, a spring remover, a thin awl;
pliers that have a long nose;
small hammer;
screwdriver;
small tray for parts.

Important! Before you begin the process of shortening the links of a metal bracelet, you must:
Prepare your work area and make sure your desk is free of clutter.
Cover the surface of the table on which we will manipulate the bracelet with a white tablecloth or paper.
It is also advisable to cover the floor with paper.

This preliminary procedure will allow you to quickly find small parts, and they will not get lost or roll somewhere.