Sizing a bracelet

Straps, straps, straps, and bracelets!
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Sizing a bracelet

Post by jkbarnes »

Any tips on how to size a bracelet easily and efficiently? I’d like to avoid remove-a-link/add-a-link trial & error approach, if that’s possible. I assume I ought to mount the bracelet then size?
Drew
0uatiOW
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 1329
Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2018 11:46 pm
CW-watches: 4
Location: Cambridgeshire

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by 0uatiOW »

If it’s a CW SS it’s a pain, because they use pin and collar links. I find it almost impossible with a changing tool like the one below and I’d find it fully impossible without it:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Removal-Adjust ... B01M0V03X9

The pins in the tool are too short to push the link pin all the way through, so I’ve not been much help really..... It’s feasible but it’s not easy.
My name is 0uatiOW, but before you ask, no I don’t.
“Exquisitely minging” MissF, 19 July 2022
Just call me Diderot
User avatar
Bahnstormer_vRS
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 35156
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:06 pm
CW-watches: 34
LE-three: 1
LE-foura: 1
LE-fourb: 1
LE-six: 1
Location: Hertfordshire, UK

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

Measure it off and compare with the bracelet on a n other watch.

Guy

Sent from my Xperia XZ Premium using Tapatalk

In small proportions, we just beautie see:
And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)

Inscription on the Longitude Dial
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NB, England
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by jkbarnes »

0uatiOW wrote: Fri Jun 14, 2019 5:01 pm If it’s a CW SS it’s a pain, because they use pin and collar links. I find it almost impossible with a changing tool like the one below and I’d find it fully impossible without it:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Removal-Adjust ... B01M0V03X9

The pins in the tool are too short to push the link pin all the way through, so I’ve not been much help really..... It’s feasible but it’s not easy.
I’ve ordered something similar to help with sizing. Just waiting on it to arrive.
Drew
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by jkbarnes »

The bracelet has arrived, and it is most impressive. The quality is outstanding compared to other bracelets I have.

Question though.... I assumed there would be arrows in the links indication which direction to push the pins out, but there aren’t. Can anyone tell me from what direction (relative to the clasp I suppose) I should push the pins out?
Drew
User avatar
Thegreyman
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12065
Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 3:45 pm
CW-watches: 6
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by Thegreyman »

jkbarnes wrote: Fri Jun 14, 2019 6:43 pm The bracelet has arrived, and it is most impressive. The quality is outstanding compared to other bracelets I have.

Question though.... I assumed there would be arrows in the links indication which direction to push the pins out, but there aren’t. Can anyone tell me from what direction (relative to the clasp I suppose) I should push the pins out?
In my experience, in the absence of directional arrows, you can remove the pins in either direction. The CW pins can be tough to get out but usually with a little bit of effort you will succeed.
Patrick

C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)

Some others + a few on the way
User avatar
H0rati0
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2314
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2018 7:49 am
CW-watches: 4
Location: Alpenvorland

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by H0rati0 »

jkbarnes wrote: Fri Jun 14, 2019 6:43 pm The bracelet has arrived, and it is most impressive. The quality is outstanding compared to other bracelets I have.

Question though.... I assumed there would be arrows in the links indication which direction to push the pins out, but there aren’t. Can anyone tell me from what direction (relative to the clasp I suppose) I should push the pins out?
I agree with Patrick, no arrows means bidirctional. Whatever you do, make sure not to lose the collars. Go slow.

Ps: I speak from experience :oops:
"There is no beginning to enlightenment and no end to training" - Dogen Zenji (1200-1253)
nordwulf

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by nordwulf »

I use a hammer and pin push tools to size a bracelet. The CW bracelet isn't any more difficult than other bracelets. You can't feel how much force you're applying with that other tool. You can tap as hard as is needed to get the pin out and you know you're doing it wrong when you have to tap too hard.

https://amzn.to/2FbfL2s

Image
User avatar
H0rati0
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2314
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2018 7:49 am
CW-watches: 4
Location: Alpenvorland

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by H0rati0 »

nordwulf wrote: Fri Jun 14, 2019 10:22 pm I use a hammer and pin push tools to size a bracelet. The CW bracelet isn't any more difficult than other bracelets. You can't feel how much force you're applying with that other tool. You can tap as hard as is needed to get the pin out and you know you're doing it wrong when you have to tap too hard.

https://amzn.to/2FbfL2s

Image
I use both, but on balance I like this tool:

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/screw-in-af-swiss

as the pins are long. Care required but confidence also as some force is necessary. The similar tool from Amazon (not Frank's punch) referenced in another post above is really for wide bracelets and not ideal for 22mm, though with a bit of fiddling, you can get the job done.
"There is no beginning to enlightenment and no end to training" - Dogen Zenji (1200-1253)
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by jkbarnes »

Thank you for all the tips. I’m just waiting on the tools I ordered before giving it a go. I found a video on YouTube of someone removing links from a C60 bracelet, so I’m feeling pretty good about doing it myself.
Drew
User avatar
richtel
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 1794
Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2015 9:10 pm
CW-watches: 8
Location: Cotswolds

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by richtel »

As noted above, many of the generic screw-style bracelet tools have push-ends which are too short to push the pin far enough through to totally disengage with the spring collar. The result is that some people then resort to pliers to pull the pin through- often bending, marking and ruining the pin in the process.

I too use these-

Image

... which has nice long tips. Very cheap, work really well andspare push-ends are available. They push the pin through all the way so that the pin easily clears the collar
Rich

"The bad news is that time flies. The good news is that you're the pilot."
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by jkbarnes »

The new bracelet has arrived! Sizing was relatively easy (in terms of removing the pin & collar links) and I got the fit perfect the first try - two links on one side, one on the other side with the micro adjuster in the center is giving me a perfect fit with room to adjust either direction.

Getting the bracelet on the watch itself...not so easy. Not sure if it’s because of cheap springbar pliers or my inexperience with them. I’ll confess, one lug might have some battle scars. But no worries here because this watch will never be parted with.

Overall, I’m proud of myself, and it feels like I have a brand new watch!
A3B14281-C22D-4603-A563-704E432E65B0.jpeg
Drew
User avatar
H0rati0
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2314
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2018 7:49 am
CW-watches: 4
Location: Alpenvorland

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by H0rati0 »

jkbarnes wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2019 1:12 am The new bracelet has arrived! Sizing was relatively easy (in terms of removing the pin & collar links) and I got the fit perfect the first try - two links on one side, one on the other side with the micro adjuster in the center is giving me a perfect fit with room to adjust either direction.

Getting the bracelet on the watch itself...not so easy. Not sure if it’s because of cheap springbar pliers or my inexperience with them. I’ll confess, one lug might have some battle scars. But no worries here because this watch will never be parted with.

Overall, I’m proud of myself, and it feels like I have a brand new watch!

A3B14281-C22D-4603-A563-704E432E65B0.jpeg
Good job. I must admit I am not a fan of the cheapo spring bar pliers either. The tips are hopeless. Maybe buy Bergeon tips (not cheap) but I am thinking the money would be better spent on these:
T41939_cmyk1.jpg
which are designed to fit round a bracelet while it is still attached. Still significant cost, but maybe before I tackle the next bracelet. Does anybody have experience with them to share I wonder?
"There is no beginning to enlightenment and no end to training" - Dogen Zenji (1200-1253)
joerattz
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 1281
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2006 9:34 pm
CW-watches: 8
Location: Alpharetta, GA

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by joerattz »

+1 on these (type of) tools (block, push pin, and hammer)!

I have several tools like the other type referenced in this thread but I will never use them (again). All they do is guarantee me a divot near the hole where I missed. I don't know how you're possibly supposed to align them on the hole accurately and the screwing mechanical advantage just bores right into the metal before I know I missed.

Also, my guideline of thumb is that I only use high quality tools (Swiss or maybe German) on any tool that comes in contact with the watch/bracelet, but might use a cheaper (Chinese) tool on one that doesn't. So I would get a Swiss block and push pins, but a cheap hammer is sufficient for me.
nordwulf wrote: Fri Jun 14, 2019 10:22 pm I use a hammer and pin push tools to size a bracelet. The CW bracelet isn't any more difficult than other bracelets. You can't feel how much force you're applying with that other tool. You can tap as hard as is needed to get the pin out and you know you're doing it wrong when you have to tap too hard.

https://amzn.to/2FbfL2s

Image
C5SWT (#316), C5AKS (#316/1936), C5AWS (#789/1936), C6-ForumLE (#3/100), C6SYS (#347), C6-T3LE (#130/300), C6SWS (#601), C3SKS (#1204)

Pro LINQ: Language Integrated Query in C# 2008 : http://www.amazon.com/dp/1590597893?tag=netsplore-20
User avatar
Craig64
Senior
Senior
Posts: 195
Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2019 6:17 pm
CW-watches: 6
Location: Lincolnshire UK

Re: Sizing a bracelet

Post by Craig64 »

Hi Folks
When I bought my first CW watch, I paid the extra to have it sized, as I was not confident of doing it myself. However, I soon decided that I needed a link put back in, so I bought some tools and managed to do it without any problems. I bought some cheap tools and also the Bergeon spring bar tool, and as has been mentioned, the Bergeon is a superior quality make, and well worth the money.

I would like to add a couple of extra considerations which helped me:

1) When starting to reinsert the pin to add an extra link; I used a small model makers vice with cloth lining the smooth metal jaws to prevent marking the polished edges of the links. The vice had a very smooth action making it easy to feel the pressure gently applied to push the pin through the collar. Once nearly pushed home, I switched to the screw type bracelet tool to push the pin that extra millimetre until it “clicked” into the centre position.
2) For attaching the bracelet back onto the watch, I applied some clear sticky tape on the reverse side of the lugs, and then used the bergeon spring bar tool to compress the spring bar and refit the bracelet from the back, with the face of the watch down on a micro fibre cloth. The tape avoided any scratch marks to the hidden sides of the lugs.

I could be very tempted to invest in a set of those double armed spring bar compression tools as it would make it far less likely to scratch the lugs as can occur with the single arm tools.

Then having said that, the very latest CW bracelets have quick release mechanisms, which changes the game somewhat.
Regards
Craig
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post