You don't have to get rid of your watch if it's not right for you.Even though most of the bands have small pins, they are not difficult to deal with at home.The kind of band you have will determine what you need to do.The pins allow you to remove links from the band.The clasp should be moved to control the fit of your watch.After each adjustment, check the fit on your wrist.
Step 1: If you don't know what kind of watch you have, check the band for pins.
Some of the watches are easier to adjust to than others.Some pins are L or U shaped.You can see the pins by looking at the sides of the bands.If you can see between them, spread the links out.Straight pins are the most common ones.There are vertical pin holes on the edges of the bands.The pins look like bars.There is more to the pin.There is a vertical part of the band.The pins on your watch band look like bars.The pins are underneath the clips.The clips may be seen from the edges of the band.There are no links in mesh bands.A mesh band is a piece of metal.The clasp is in charge of the fit.
Step 2: Determine how many links you want to remove by setting the watch on your wrist.
The clasp should be centered on the underside of your wrist when you put the watch on.Remove all of the slack by pinching the band.To eliminate the slack, count the number of links you can pinch together.Make sure the band is loose enough to slide across your wrist.When you wear it, it will stay put.You don't have to make a second adjustment if you measure it accurately.
Step 3: If you have a mesh band, make a mark with a water-based marker.
Since they don't have individual links to remove, mesh bands are a little different.Move the clasp to adjust the band.Put the watch on and move the clasp to make the band fit your wrist.Young children use a simple marker.You can wash them off with a towel and water.Since you probably won't enjoy an unpleasant mark on an otherwise flawless watch, avoid anything permanent.
Step 4: Find the arrows on the links.
The links are easy to spot with the arrows.The arrows point down when the watch is placed on a microfiber towel.The pins are on top of the band so you can knock them out.Some links may not have arrows on them.These ones are not meant to be removed.If you don't see any arrows on your watch, look at the pin holes.On one side of the band, the pins will sit a little deeper.You can reach for them from that side.
Step 5: A pin push tool is needed to remove it.
You need something small to get to the pin.A pin push is just a handle with a needle on the end, but no watch pin can escape it.The point over the pin is where you want to remove the link.Pin push tools can be found online or at hardware stores.You can get a small hammer and any other gear you need for the adjustment.Some watches have screws.If your watch has them, the screw heads will be visible on one end of the band.The bands should be removed with a small flathead screwdriver.
Step 6: The pin on the push tool will fall out if you use a small hammer.
Push the pin out as far as you can.The ball-peen hammers and tack hammers are good for this.To avoid damaging the watch, be cautious and gently tap it.If you can get the pin to move, tap it.It's easier to hold the watch in place with a watch working block.You could put the watch in a piece of foam and cut a slit.If the pin doesn't fall out on its own, grab it with your fingers or a pair of needle-nose pliers.Some watches have metal pin tubes that fall out.If your watch has these, put them away until you replace the pin.
Step 7: The link should be removed and other pins taken out.
Without the pin holding it in place, the link slides off the watch band.For now, set it aside.You can adjust the band by repeating the steps on other links.Remove links in pairs to keep the band together.After each removal, you may want to close the band and check the watch against your wrist.
Step 8: The pin needs to be put back in place.
Push the loose ends of the band together after removing a link.Make sure you insert the pin from the correct end.Hit the back end of the pin to push it into the band.The pin should be pushed toward the arrows.If you want to follow the direction of the arrows again next time you need to adjust the band, the pin will end up on top.Remember to put one at both ends of the hole in your watch band.Put them in place with the hammer.
Step 9: You can find the arrows to see which links are gone.
There are small arrows on your watch band.Turn the watch so the arrows point down.The pins will be brought to the top so you can access them.The edges of each link should be inspected if your watch doesn't have arrows.You might have an L-shaped pin if you see small horizontal bars.
Step 10: Place the tip of the spring bar tool in the hole.
There is a small hole on the side of the pins.You can easily leverage the pin with a spring bar tool.A spring bar tool is used to remove pins.If you can, place the watch in a watch band holder and cut a piece of foam to keep it from moving.You can get a spring bar tool at some hardware stores.Try to find something else with a sharp metal point if you don't have a spring bar tool.You could use a pair of pliers to reach the pin.
Step 11: The spring bar tool can be used to push the pin out of the band.
Put the tip of the bar into the hole.To remove the pin from its slot, close the jaws of the pliers.You will be able to see it from the top of the band.Pull it the rest of the way out as soon as you can reach it.If you can't hold onto the pin with your fingers, the pointed end of the spring bar tool is a good option.
Step 12: Remove other pins when the link is out.
Take care of the other links you plan to remove.If you plan on testing the fit after removing a link, you don't need to close the band.Remove individual pins.Once the pins are gone, the links are no longer in place.Remove a link from each end to keep the band together.If you're not sure, close the band and try to avoid taking off more links than you need.
Step 13: When you are ready to close the band, hammer the pin back into place.
Pull the loose ends back together after removing all of the bands.When putting an L pin back, make sure the small hole is at the top of the watch.Take the pin out, then use your hammer to put it in.The pin needs to be flushed with the top of the watch.Your band will look like a single, continuous piece of metal if the horizontal part of the pin catches on.
Step 14: The inside part of the band needs to be put on a towel.
If you want to avoid scratching the metal, lay a microfiber cloth on a flat surface.There are tabs on the edge of the band.It doesn't matter which side you start on, the tabs are on both edges.You could put the watch on the block of wood.The watch will not be damaged if the surface is smooth and stable.
Step 15: Use a utility knife to open the tabs on the links.
Spread the links apart while pinning the watch against the towel.The edge of the band is facing you.The link is held in place by a pair of flat tabs, so slide your knife under them and pull them towards you.Keep the band pinned down until the tabs are flat and vertical.A spring bar tool is a combination push pin tool and blade made specifically for watches.You can either order one online or at a hardware store.
Step 16: You can open the tabs on the other side by turning the band around.
The tabs are not perfectly aligned with the ones on the other side, so look at the watch to find the closest ones.Lift them using the edge of a knife or another tool.The tabs should be pulled back until they are parallel with the band.Pull them back with a pair of pliers.Stubborn tabs can be bent back this way.
Step 17: The pins are between the tabs.
It is difficult to remove the small pins.The open space between the tabs has a small pair of needle-nose pliers or tweezers in it.The pins look like horizontal bars when you look through the band.Pull them out to loosen the link.There are pins on each side of the band.Turn the band around and reach in from the other side after pulling a pin.It's easier to get all of the pins if you approach them from both sides.
Step 18: The band can be shortened by removing more pins and links.
After removing the pins, remove the link from the band.If you want to remove any more links, repeat the steps.You have to remove the pins for each link.It isn't difficult when you take your time.The band needs an even number of links removed.If you want to make the process easier, remove adjacent bands.
Step 19: Put the pins back in to close the band.
Put the pins between the open tabs if you want to close the band again.Hold the horizontal part with the 1 pins.Place the pins in one of the slots between the links.Push them down to get the clips in the other links.On the other side of the band, you will need to do the same thing.Sometimes you can put them in right away.Close the tabs on one end if you can't keep them in place.
Step 20: The tabs should be pushed closed with a knife.
The spring bar tool can be used to flatten out the open tabs.As you bend them back into position, be gentle with them.They need to be bent over against the rest of the band to hold the pins in place.If the pins fall out, try flipping the band over.There is no need to bend the tabs all the way over.If they look neat and hold the pins in place, you don't need to mess with them.You should consider working on a different set of tabs if you need to adjust the watch band again.When bending the tabs, try to avoid opening them the same way.
Step 21: Find the clasp lever by laying the watch band flat.
The watch band should be spread on a microfiber towel.Find the spot where the band passes through the clasp by looking inside.There is a small bar running across the clasp, securing it to the band.The lever is needed to adjust the band.The clasp is usually closed by a small hook over the lever.It is a metal bar that moves when you pry it up.
Step 22: The lever can be reached by sliding a small tool between the band and clasp.
If you have a watch spring bar tool, you can use a small flathead screwdriver.The levers have small holes in them.Pull the tip back to open the clasp.Any small pointed tool can open the clasp.If you have no other options, you could use a push pin.
Step 23: The clasp should be moved along the band to adjust it.
You can adjust the band once you release the watch clasp.The clasp will slide along the band, so position it where you need it.If you tested the band on your wrist ahead of time, you can mark the adjustment position with a water-based marker.Measure out the band to find the right clasp position.When you are done with the adjustment, wipe off the marker.
Step 24: The clasp needs to be locked in place with a metal lever.
If you are using a spring bar tool, reach into the clasp with a pin push.If you hear it click, bring it down as far as you can.If it doesn't click on its own, try pushing down on the clasp with your fingers or using a small hammer.You could use a pair of pliers to reach the lever.Hit the pliers with a hammer to push the lever down.The band won't move anymore if the clasp locks.Before putting your watch on, make sure it's secure.