How do you shorten the lenght of a expansion watchband?

Answer 1

First look at the Speidel website (FAQs) http://www.speidel.com/default.cfm?PID=1.24

(Watchbands) - How do I adjust the length of my watchband?

http://www.speidel.com/default.cfm?PID=1.24&inq_key=7851&action=detail&LibID=465

Quite detailed information and illustrations are shown.

The tabs to be bent (shown in the Speidel illustrations) can be at the ends of the links (sides of the watch band) I shortened my Speidel, 'twist 0 flex' (R) watchband this way, but of course you're on your own (no guarantees).

Good Luck!

This is a bit complicated. First, have your magnifying glasses on because it is very tiny work. Have onhand a set of jeweler's pliers, a tiny screwdriver, and lots of patience! Determine the length you wish to remove. In the middle of the band, on the inside of the band, you will find tiny tabs that reach almost to the outside edge of the band. Use the tiny screwdrive to gently pry both tabs of one "link" to a straight position. If you have a double type linkage, pry the other side's tabs up too. Inside you will find a tiny staple which holds the links together. Remove the staples with the screwdrive or a pair of tweezers. Carefully lay these staples aside (a white piece of paper helps). Now take the measure of the length you wish to remove, and carefully repeat the process at the other side of the removal. Note that you need to remove the linkage in the reverse order on the other side. This will give you a link open on the underside and one open on the overside. Find those tiny staples and insert them into the fitted together ends at the open tabs, one on each side. Slide in securely, and bend the tabs carefully back down with the jeweler's pliers. If you have done this correctly, your watch band will now fit without pinching and not be too loose.

Answer 2

Assuming the question refers to a link bracelet, and not a rubber or leather strap you can shorten the bracelet on a Citizen watch by removing one or more links.

There are usually some removable links close to the bracelet's clasp. Each link is connected to adjoining links with pins.

There are three kinds of pins. They are compression pins, straight pins with sleeves and threaded pins.

If you look at the back of some of the links, you may see an arrow engraved into the back of the link. This indicates the watch uses compression pins and shows you in which direction the pin should be pushed through the links when you remove it.

If you can see that the pin has a slotted screw head on one end, it can be removed with a small screwdriver, but be careful because the slotted head is easily stripped.

Straight pins with sleeves can be pushed out in either direction, but you must be careful not to lose the sleeve. The sleeve sits inside the link, but it will fall out when you remove the pin. When you put the links back together, you have to put the sleeve back inside the link. When the pin goes back through the sleeve, the sleeve expands and doesn't allow the pin to slip out of the link.

Remove links evenly from both sides of the bracelet, but if you need to remove more from one side than the other, remove it form the bottom (6:00 side).

If this seems like too much trouble, most watch dealers of jewelers will do this for a few dollars.