How to Size & Shorten a Metal Watch Band at Home

Many wristwatches come with ready adjustable wristbands that are made of leather or plastic with holes and clasps for easy adjustment of the size. However, many designer brand watches and metal watch bands require the removal of metal links to adjust the size down. This may seem like a difficult task at first, but you can do this yourself at home with a few simple tools. Taking the watch to a jeweler or repair place isn't necessary and will cost you money.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Sizing Your Watch

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1
Put the watch on without adjusting it. You will need to note how big the watch is.^{[1]
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- If the watch is very loose, you will have to remove lots of links.
- If the watch is just slightly loose and you aren't in danger of it falling off, you might consider leaving it as is unless it is bothersome.
- If your watch is too small, you will have to buy extra links from the manufacturer to make the band larger.
2
Find the clasp. Pinch the band evenly from the clasp until it is the proper size.^{[2]
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- Make sure you have an equal number of links on either side of the clasp that need to be removed.
- This will make sure the watch itself stays centered on the wrist band.
- Write down the number of links that need to be removed from either side of the clasp.
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3
Get your tools assembled. There are several things you will need to adjust your watch band.^{[3]
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- You will need one or two push pins. You will use these to push the pins that hold the links together out of their holes.
- Get a pair of needle nosed pliers to help you remove the pins.
- You will need a small jewelry hammer.
- Make sure you are working on a flat surface with good lighting. You will need to collect any pins you remove from the band.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Removing Links from the Wristband

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1
Lay the watch on its side on your flat surface. Be sure to leave about ¹⁄₂ centimeter (0.2 in) of space between the bottom of each removable link and the flat surface.^{[4]
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- Count up the number of links you will need to remove.
- Find the pin holding the last link in place.
- This is where you will remove the links.
2
Get your pushpins. Use one of the pushpins to push out the pin holding the wristband link in place.^{[5]
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- Push the sharp end of the pushpin against the head of the link pin.
- If it doesn't give, use your jewelry hammer to force the head of the pushpin into the hole for the link pin.
- A small amount of the push pin should now be protruding from the other side of the link.
- Use the hammer to drive the push pin in further to get more of the link pin out.
3
Remove the pin with the pliers. You will have to pull forcefully to get the pin out.^{[6]
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- Once you have enough of the link pin out of the hole on the other side of the wrist band to grasp it with the pliers, you can use the pliers to get it out.
- Grasp the end of the pin tightly with the needle nose pliers.
- Pull it out.
- The links you need from one side of the clasp should be removed now.
- You need to repeat the process for the other side of the wrist band now.
4
Detach the clasp from the section of removed links. You will need to do this to put it back onto your wristband.^{[7]
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- Detach it using the same method you did for the links.
- There should be a pin holding the clasp onto the links. Remove it using the hammer, pushpins, and pliers.
- You will now re-attach the clasp to the wristband.
5
Attach the clasp back onto the wrist band. Line up the link on the clasp with the last link on one side of your wristband.^{[8]
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- You should see a clear hole where a pin should go to hold the clasp on.
- Take one of the pins you removed and insert it into this hole.
- It should go most of the way in on its own, except for the last little bit on the end.
- Use the hammer to gently pound the pin into the hole the whole way.
- Repeat this process on the other side of the clasp.
- Your watch band is now adjusted and assembled.
6
Try on the watch. It should now fit without being too big or too small.^{[9]
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- If you have over-adjusted the watch, try adding a link to each side of the watch band.
- If you haven't taken enough links out, re-assess how many need to be removed for the watch band to be tight enough and comfortable.
- Wear the watch for a few days to make sure its comfortable.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can I adjust a watch band without removing the links?

Bill Green
Jewelry & Watch Expert
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

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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Tips

Use a hard flat surface for this procedure, so as to minimize movement of the watch as you're trying to adjust it.

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If your watch band is too loose, and you're thinking of just throwing it away, why not sell it instead? You'll make some of the money back towards a new watch.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you don't have a watch holder, trace the outline of your watch on a piece of foam and cut it out. This will hold your watch in place so you can see the top of the pin.
If you don't have a pushpin, you can use a sewing needle to push out the pin holding the watch link in place.

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