Shortening or resizing your watch yourself: Step-by-step guide
How to shorten or resize a watch (with links) yourself?
A watch that is too large can feel uncomfortable and not look good aesthetically. In this article, we discuss various methods to shorten your watch yourself, the costs involved, and we provide a step-by-step guide for shortening different types of watch straps.
Why do you want to shorten your watch?
There are 3 important reasons to make a watch smaller:- Comfort: A strap that is too loose can feel uncomfortable on your wrist and constantly shift.
- Aesthetics: A well-fitting watch looks better and sits more snugly on the wrist. This simply looks better!
- Pain: If your watch is REALLY too loose on your wrist, it can even cause pain if you swing your arm quickly.
Video: Shortening a watch strap
Are you a visual learner? And would you like to see, step by step, how to best remove links from your watch strap? Then watch the video below. It clearly and calmly explains how you can get started yourself!
You receive this watch strap shortener / pin remover for FREE with Urban Ace.
What you need to shorten a watch
The necessities for shortening your watch strap are minimal. If you order from Urban Ace, you get the watch strap shortener for FREE.
- Watch link pin toolkit (you get this FOR FREE when you order from Urban Ace!)
- Small hammer
- Soft cloth or towel
- Small pliers (optional for precise work)
Tip: Remove links on both the left and right side of the clasp.
Step-by-step plan: Removing a link from a watch
Follow the steps below to make a watch smaller or shorten it yourself:
- Step 1: Prepare - Place your watch on a soft surface such as a cloth to prevent scratches. Make sure you have all the tools ready.
- Step 2: Determine the correct size - Measure your wrist and determine how many links you need to remove.
- Step 3: Open the link remover - Turn the pushpin remover all the way open.
- Step 4: Place your link watch - Place your link watch in the pushpin remover with the correct link in front of the pushpin of the shortener.
- Step 5: Tighten the remover - Push the small pin out of the link you want to remove.
- Step 6: Repeat: Tighten the remover - Repeat this step on the other side of the watch.
- Step 7: Note: - Remove the required number of links on both sides, left and right of the clasp. This way, the clasp will remain centered.
- Step 8: Reinsert links - Reinsert the remaining links and firmly secure the pins with a small hammer or small pliers.
- Step 9: Enjoy - Okay, you did it! :) All you have to do now is enjoy your Urban Ace city watch.
Shortening a watch strap with arrows
To shorten a watch strap with arrows, it's best to follow the step-by-step plan above as well. Make sure you know which way the arrows are pointing. Once you know that, you'll also know which way to push out the pins... namely, in the direction the arrow is pointing!
Tip: Measure accurately... this prevents you from removing too many links.
Shortening a steel watch strap
As you now know, you need some specific tools. A watch pin remover (which we send along FOR FREE), a hammer, a cloth, and possibly small pliers. If you have these ready, it's actually quite easy to adjust your steel watch strap. It's child's play... but you do need to keep your calm and not get frustrated if it doesn't work.
- Carefully try to unscrew the pin. Once it's loose, you can remove the pin with your fingers or pliers.
- Then, remove the links you want to remove. Tip: do this on both the left and right side of the clasp. Otherwise, the clasp won't be centered after shortening.
- Place the pin back into the hole and tap it very gently with a small hammer. Note: do this carefully. Don't hammer too hard on this pin. While this pin can withstand some pressure, if you hit your thumb or, even worse, hit your watch, that would be a real shame!
Zephyr Legacy - Black
€179,00
Zephyr Legacy - Black
€179,00
Zephyr Legacy - Black
€179,00
Zephyr Legacy - Black
€179,00
Maverick - Ice Blue 45 mm
€179,00
Maverick - Ice Blue 45 mm
€179,00
Maverick-Gold
€179,00
Enigma - Silver
€149,00
Enigma - Rose Gold
€149,00
Shortening a steel watch strap without tools
Can you make a watch strap smaller without tools?
In principle, no! There are many small pins in the steel strap. These pins can be pushed out with a pushpin remover. Don't have this remover? Then it will be very difficult to shorten your watch without tools.
Tips for adjusting the watch strap
- Wrong size: Make sure to measure accurately to avoid removing too many or too few links.
- Loss of parts: Work on a flat surface and pay attention to small parts like pins or screws.
- Stay calm: Don't hit the pin too hard.
- Remove links from both sides: Remove links from both the left and right sides of the watch clasp. Otherwise, the clasp will not be centered after resizing.
Frequently asked questions about making a link watch smaller
- How much does it cost to make a watch smaller? - With a professional, it costs between €7.50 and €20.
- Can I shorten my watch myself? - Yes, with the right tools and our step-by-step plan, you can do this yourself. We provide the tools; the only thing you need to provide yourself is a small hammer.
- What tools do I need? - A pushpin remover, small pliers, a towel, and a hammer are the main tools.
- Can I make my watch smaller without tools? - Unfortunately, this will not work. You will need some tools to make your link watch smaller!
Enigma - Rose Gold
€149,00
Enigma - Silver
€149,00
Nemesis - Rosé Gold
€119,00
Nemesis – Black
€119,00
Nemesis – Navy Blue
€119,00
Nemesis – Silver
€119,00
What does it cost to make a watch smaller?
What are the costs for making a watch smaller?
The cost of shortening a watch can vary, depending on the method you choose. If you buy a watch from Urban Ace, you will receive a pushpin remover so you can get started yourself without extra costs.
- Professional jeweler: At a jeweler, you usually pay between €7.50 and €20, depending on the type of watch strap, the complexity, and how many links you want to remove.
- Buying tools yourself: If you want to do it yourself, you can buy professional tools for about €10 to €30. This includes a pushpin remover (watch sizer), screwdriver, small pliers, and a small hammer.
- Buying a watch from Urban Ace: If you buy a watch from Urban Ace, you will receive a pushpin remover so you can get started yourself without extra costs.
Adjusting your watch yourself.
Conclusion: Shorten your watch for FREE
Making a watch smaller is a relatively simple task, provided you have the right tools and work carefully. Whether you choose a professional or do it yourself, a well-fitting watch ensures comfort and a neat appearance.
If you order a watch from Urban Ace, you will always receive a FREE watch strap shortener/pin pusher. This way, you can easily make your watch smaller yourself. If, after reading our step-by-step plan or tips, you think you won't be able to do it yourself or you're in doubt, a jeweler or watchmaker will charge you a few euros to make your watch smaller. Good luck!
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