Hello,

What is the correct way to adjust the lenght of the metal straps.
I have one for the C5.

Thanks for the info!

Kind Regards,


Garak

garak wrote:Hello,

What is the correct way to adjust the lenght of the metal straps.
I have one for the C5.

Thanks for the info!

Kind Regards,


Garak

A jeweller.

ok, that's indeed one option.

But I was more interested in how to do it yourself.
It can't be that hard, can it?

garak wrote:ok, that's indeed one option.

But I was more interested in how to do it yourself.
It can't be that hard, can it?

It's quite easy to mess up non-screwed links.

Its dead easy, you dont need a jeweller!!! There are arrows on the back of the link use a small punch to knock the pin out in the direction of the arrow, remove the link and press pin back in again, this time in the opposite direction. There are watch tool kits available on ebay that have a little press for this which work very well, or you can use the punches supplied.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/16-Pieces-Watch-R ... dZViewItem

Dont know why everyone assumes you cant do simple jobs yourself anymore, next thing I know you will all be getting your cars serviced at garages!!!!

Even with decent tools, it's quite easy to mess it up.

I think President and m500dpp are both right: it is very easy, and you can very easily mess it up!

I always do these kind of things myself.

m500dpp wrote: Dont know why everyone assumes you cant do simple jobs yourself anymore, next thing I know you will all be getting your cars serviced at garages!!!!

Oh, So that's what I have been doing wrong all along!

To provide a serious response, let me first warn you that it is very easy to nick a bracelet link doing this. I don't mean to discourage you though.

First, know that the links contain an arrow on the back indicating the direction to push the pin to remove it. To put the pin back in, push the pin back in from the reverse direction.

I will first point out the tool I would NOT use here:

http://www.ofrei.com/page237.html

It is the very first tool, FB-506

Another similar tool I would NOT use is this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/WATCH-BAND-STRAP-LI ... dZViewItem

I have both of those and while they do drive the pins out very nicely, the problem I have with them is that I can never get a good enough view of the pin pusher with them to make sure it is properly aligned with the hole. If you are off and the pin pusher comes in contact with the side of the bracelet, they will bore a nice little hole for you. So while this seems like a nicely engineered design, I have had poor results getting the alignment correct. Once you do, they will drive the pin right out nice and smooth though.

I have had the best results, and recommend something more like this:

http://www.ofrei.com/page237.html

Find items:
BERG-6744-P1-S (bracelet base)
BERG-6744-P-S (bracelet base)
189.820 (punch pins)
FB-705 (hammer)

I don't necessarily recommend those specific models, just something like those. There are a lot of similar products and you can certainly find cheaper equivalents. I bought a cheap set off ebay for about $13 US including shipping that had a block and hammer. I think it was a set just like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/16-Watch-Case-Opene ... dZViewItem

Notice it comes with one of those blue bracelet pin removers too. Now these tools are much cheaper in price and quality than the ones at ofrei.com. My OPINION is that the hammer is just fine. Barring a serious mistake on your part, it should never come in contact with the watch...except for using the nylon end for maybe tapping a pin back in. I think the block is just fine too. I would opt for the more expensive and higher quality of the punch pins at ofrei though since the pin comes in contact with the bracelet link pin.

I have had very good success with this type of pin remover. I haven't nicked a bracelet yet with them. I haven't been so fortunate with the screw type pin removers I mentioned at the beginning.

Good luck, go slow, and have fun!

Here are a few images to illustrate the process. The text is in Dutch, and comes from Freddy, a professional watchmaker from Belgium...

http://www.horlogeforum.nl/read.php?9,5302

President wrote:Even with decent tools, it's quite easy to mess it up.

For strap adjustment, surely not! Surely anyone can handle that job!

stoneyloon wrote:

President wrote:Even with decent tools, it's quite easy to mess it up.

For strap adjustment, surely not! We're not all "special", surely anyone can handle that job!

I've done it myself and been successful every time, but now that I have watches that I don't feel like messing up - I don't do it anymore.

Thanks for all the replies!

I came to the conclusion that my father had these tools for adjusting straps.
It is indeed very easy, if you know what to do.

The straps is adjusted and attached to the watch, I'll post a picture this evening, because it looks really good on it!

as promised:

http://www.christopherwardforum.com/vie ... 3605#p3605