Do you have a watch that’s too loose or has a damaged link? Would you like to save money and learn some jewelry repair skills? If you said yes and yes, we have a great instructional video with our written guide to help!
Welcome to JTV’s Jewelry Care and Repair Series. Our host and skilled jeweler, John Brooks, will help guide today's lesson in changing a watch bracelet. With some simple tools you may have at home, we can save you a trip to the jeweler and save on spending. Now, let's dive into the DIY world of watch link removal.
How to Remove a Watch Link - Video
Tools to Fix a Watch
1. Paperclip
2. Needle-nose pliers
3. Small hammer
4. Piece of wood (1.5 x 1.5 inches) for creating a jig
5. Skill saw (optional, for making the jig)
6. Patience and attention to detail
What is a jig, and how do I make one?
A jig is a helpful tool that can hold items securely in place for repair or creation. Jigs can be made of metal or carved out of wood and can have varying looks. When it comes to simple jewelry repairs, a jig made from a small block or plank of wood can get the job done.
• To make a simple jig using a piece of wood, cut a groove with an electronic or manual saw.
• To figure out the groove’s dimensions, try placing your watch on the piece of wood before cutting into it.
• You can trace lines for each side of your watch’s band across your wooden piece, and you can then cut a groove that matches its dimensions. This will allow your watch to snuggly fit in the jig’s groove.
• You can also drill two holes in your jig to fit the pins inside your watch links. (I recommend checking our video at 32 seconds to see how the jig looks). Consider marking lines on the wood where you place your drill holes for lining up the watch later.
While a jig isn’t mandatory for removing a watch link, it can help hold and keep your watch in place while you try to adjust it.
The Watch Link Removal Process
1. Prepare the Paperclip
Bend the paperclip at a right angle, leaving about a quarter of an inch straight. This will serve as your tool for pushing the pin through the watch bracelet.
2. Identify the Pin’s Direction
Most watches have arrows indicating the direction in which the pin should be pushed through. Make sure to follow these arrows while working on your watch.
3. Loosen and Push Out the Pin
Place the watch in the jig, aligning it with the marked hole(s). Gently tap the paperclip with the hammer to push the pin through. Be careful not to damage the pin's crimped end during removal.
4. Removal with Needle-Nose Pliers
Carefully use needle-nose pliers to remove the pin once it is pushed partially out by the paperclip and hammer. Avoid squeezing the crimped end with your pliers, as this end of the pin creates compression necessary for the pin's stability in the watch link.
5. Reconnect the Bracelet
If you're removing more than one link, repeat the process. Reconnect the bracelet by placing the pin back in the same way it came out.
6. Fine-Tune the Fit
Check the bracelet's fit and make additional adjustments if needed. Some clasps have spring-loaded pins for finer adjustments, so use the paperclip to handle these with care.
Congratulations! You've successfully removed a watch link at home. We hope our guide helped, and we suggest you explore our JTV Live YouTube channel and jewelry care playlist for more jewelry care and repair advice. If you’d like helpful info on cleaning your jewelry aside from repairing it, check out our jewelry cleaning guide!
