How to Remove an Expansion Band Link

Posted June 13, 2014 by Esslinger Staff

Many people assume expansion style watch bands are stretch to fit and cannot be sized. This is not the case, in this article you will learn how to remove an expansion band link with our online watch and jewelry repair resources to gain the most comfortable fit for your watch.

Tools Needed:

A bench mat or other protected surface
A watchmaker’s bench knife
A pair of non-magnetic tweezers
A thin nose pliers
And a parts tray

Step 1

Pry up on 2 tabs next to each other, on most bands there will be tabs on the inside of the watch band and the outside. That means in most cases you will have to pry up on 4 tabs for each side of the watch band to remove one link.

Step 2

Repeat Step 1 on the other end of the links.

Step 3

Pull the small U shaped clips out of both links of the band.

Step 4

Repeat Step 3 on the other side of the band.

Step 5

Remove the link, which is most cases will have 2 parts an inside and outside or a top and bottom.

Step 6

Once you have removed the desired number of links put the watch back together and insert the c-clips.

Step 7

Repeat with the other side of the link.

Step 8

Bend the tabs back down on the links to hold the C-clips in place and secure the band.

Step 9

Repeat on the other end.

Step 10

Pull the expansion band open and closed a couple of time to make sure everything is secure. Look closely at the links you worked on to make sure they are operating smoothly and not loose.