# How do you remove watch band links (that are meant to be removed)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 27, 2001, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449 "2001-11-27T04:03:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/1 "2001-11-27T04:03:14Z")
No instuctions came with my new Pulsar watch - I went back to the store and they didn’t have a clue; I’ve asked Jeeves, and done a search but couldn’t find anything on removing links to adjust the band. There are four links on each side of the links with the clasp; these four links (on the underside) each have a small indentation and an arrow which I presume is pointing in the direction in which I’m supposed to pull it. I mean, what happens if I pull the link off, and how do I re-connect to the clasp? I’m reluctant to try it for fear of damaging it. I just got it and have the receipt and can return it if I must, but I love the watch and want to keep it. Help! ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/2 "2001-11-27T04:13:46Z")
Take it to your friendly jeweler. Most will do this for free, in hopes that you will return. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/3 "2001-11-27T04:38:57Z")
Your band may be different, but mine has tiny little pins that go through small holes in the links to connect them. I can poke them out with something sharp like the tip of a knife or the graphite from a mechanical pencil. Then the thing comes apart. Then move the next link over and insert the rod to re-connect. On a related note, does anyone know where one can buy _extra_ links? I got big wrists and I’d like to make my watch band larger. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/4 "2001-11-27T06:15:30Z")
You need a pin removal tool. The chepa ones run about $ 14.00 or so on Ebay. I use mine to adjust my watchbands. In a pinch You can also use the cut shaft of a large safety pin and a pair or pliers (as a light hammer) to tap it out if you can hold the link firmly somehow without scratching or damaging it. You can typically buy additional links and pins separately for the better watches. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/5 "2001-11-27T06:20:10Z")
[Watch Bracelet Tools-Screw-Type Link-Pin Remover](http://www.ofrei.com/page237.html) ---
**Author:** ![straykat23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@straykat23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straykat23)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/6 "2001-11-27T06:45:20Z")
Go to a jeweler. As a previous poster said, it’s usually done for free. If not, it’s still cheaper than buying the tools to do it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/7 "2001-11-27T08:28:56Z")
I used to do it when I worked at a jewelers. I will do my best to describe it for you: you need a towel an awl…not a sharp one. or some cylindrical tool that will fit in the hole above the arrow. a hammer or mallet. pliers first off: determine how many links need to be removed. try to do this symetrically. if removing 2…remove one from each side. ok: undo the watch so it lays flat. put towel on table. place watch above towel…its so you dont scratch the face. you may need the hammer to tap the awl. put awl in indentation. push in the direction or arrow. a U shaped piece will emmerge. pull it out will pliers. SAVE IT do the same thing on next indentation. this removes the links. put watch back together minus missing link. put U shaped pin in. tap it down with hammer. It is hard to explain, but I think once you do it, it becomes self explanitory. the biggest mistakes people make arent in removing the link, but rather in scratching the face of the watch. I hope this helps. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/8 "2001-11-27T08:30:19Z")
friedo, most watch companies will sell extra links. That should be no prob. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/9 "2001-11-27T08:36:03Z")
oh, one more thing about watches: Fossil or Relic watches: if you have one…take it to place of purchase to have the battery removed. their backs are so flimsy this would happen: all the inards would pop out. mini springs EVERYWHERE. or when putting it back on, the face would crack. or the rubber gasket would break…and people always thought we were pulling a fast one on them. I HATE FOSSIL WATCHES! In fact, this happened so much, we stopped accepting them. period. if you take it to the place of purchase, if they bust it, they will replace it. . ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/10 "2001-11-27T15:09:43Z")
Just great, Baboon: The place where I brought both my Fossil watches went out of business. Do you recommend going to a Fossil outlet store then? ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/11 "2001-11-27T23:06:36Z")
just go somewhere that carries the same or similar watch. didn’t mean to sound so drastic. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/12 "2001-11-27T23:53:26Z")
Dang, I was going to look at my Sub, but I’m wearing the one with the “James Bond” grey and black NATO strap on it. Oh well… from memory, my watches have two removable links on each side that use a long screw as the hinge and to keep them on. ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2001, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-watch-band-links-that-are-meant-to-be-removed/95449/13 "2001-11-28T02:02:56Z")
I did it and it fits exactly how I want it. Thanks everyone for the advice.