Frustrated with my new watch

W

White95Max

New member
I ordered a new watch through the mail, and the metal band is way too big for me, so I need to remove some links. The pic shows the pin that I'm supposed to compress. I have some tiny jewelry screwdrivers, but I'm still having a lot of trouble.



Has anyone done this before, that might be able to offer advice?



I went to TWO jewelry stores today, and both managers told me that they were unable to adjust this particular watch. They both do free watch cleaning and adjustments, but one said that she had not seen a design like this before and therefore did not feel comfortable working with it, and the other said he didn't have the right tools to remove the links.



WatchPin-R.jpg
 
I just had the idea to try a sharp poker that came with my screwdriver set out in the garage. Within seconds, I had a pin out. 10 minutes later, 5 links were removed, and the watch was put back together. Now the watch is sitting on the countertop, after being cleaned with S&G and wiped down with 4* UPPS. :D
 
If you are a watch addict, you need a good sizing tool. They are pretty cheap and come in quite handy. Best of all you don't have some hack at the mall screwing up your watch.
 
The watch is a Casio G-Shock MTG solar-powered atomic watch. Here it is, charging under my terrarium UV lamp. It must have sparked a little curiosity, though I was hoping that wouldn't happen. Oh well...no harm done.



PainterWatch-R.jpg


PainterWatch2-R.jpg
 
I size all my own bracelets as the thought of having some hack put a scratch on an expensive timepiece would simply kill me. And sizing a bracelet is so easy especially with the right tool. I have several bracelet sizing tools, but the one I always keep reach for due to its versatility is this one, which costs about $16.00:



ofrei-506.jpg




What I like about it is that it's very gentle on the timepiece. All you have to do is lay the bracelet down and slowly turn the knob - the pushpin will gently push the link pin out. Couldn't be easier. The two added pieces at the bottom are used to adjust for the thickness of the bracelet to ensure that the pushpin and the link pin are aligned when you start turning the knob.
 
Neat little gadget. I was able to adjust my band pretty quickly and easily when I found a good tool for the job. It wasn't made for that purpose, but it did well. This isn't a terribly expensive watch, so I wasn't horribly concerned about using a makeshift tool.
 
Everyone that has a watch should have some of those really tiny screwdrivers and a sizing tool. They're always real handy like in cases like this.

The final photo of the watch was both informative and thought provoking. I look at it as proof positive that it is indeed, are you ready for this:

The Dawning of the Age of Aquarium.

-John C.
 
I think those jewelers were just messing with you. It's probably "free" for their own customers.



I was about to buy my own tools when I bought my watch, but I decided to just take it to a store. I think I paid about $5-$8 at some family jeweler's store to get about 3-4 links removed. Ridiculous? Probably... but at least I got to wear it. I guess that counts for something.



I think you really have to have that special eyelet tool or those clamp type tools, pictured earlier. I've tried endless online tutorials with paper clips and other such things. Nothing works as well as the jewelers little eyelet tool thingy... they just push, and the pin pops right out. No paperclip or anything else you can try will do that.



BTW, those pins look like pretty standard watch pins, exactly like all of my metal link watches! I don't know why any jeweler would say "no." Most jewelers just looked at me and said stuff like "uhh... yea.... $15" or "$20"! so yea... just shop around a bit or maybe buy your own tools if you see yourself buying more watches in the near future.
 
JohnZ3MC said:
Everyone that has a watch should have some of those really tiny screwdrivers and a sizing tool. They're always real handy like in cases like this.

The final photo of the watch was both informative and thought provoking. I look at as proof positive that is indeed, are you ready for this:

The Dawning of the Age of Aquarium.

-John C.
Click to expand...



The worst part was that I put the watch on the rock to charge under the UV lamp, and when I go back to check on it, there's a turtle standing on the backlight button! :grinno:
 
I have an idea. Go to the TimeZone forums and ask Wisconsin members for a good local watch repair shop. They may be able to direct you to a better place.
 
To the guys offering teh advice fo buying the tools and doing it yourself......just becareful becuase on some/most higher end watches, especially Movados and Tags etc, they usually have a compression sleeve which sits in the middle. If you lose that sleeve, you're pretty much screwed unless you are removing a link and can use the pin to replace it. When you are adding teh link back in, you're screwed until you can order one from the manufacturer.



Yes most watches are easy, but not all. The reason why a jeweler will charge is because they are devoting time....time which is missed at selling items or doing gold repairs. Any place that sells watches should be able to adjust them! If they sell the watch, they should size it free of charge! Additionally, why should a jeweler service a watch or anything they didn't sell for free? That would just increase the propensity for people to buy from hackers at the mall. You may be a little more for a watch at the local jeweler, but you will get better service. It's like detailing, no one here would ever go to swirl wash to get their car polished. They would go to a pro detailer who would charge more than the scrub a dub, but would offer better results and service!
 
I had a similar problem with my watch. I couldnt find a screw driver small enough to resize my band. Turns out a xacto knife/razor blade tip works better then a screw driver :)
 
I have a simlar watch



gw810d-1v_large.jpg




I just used a box cutter razor blade and carefully applied pressure to release the springs. It can be done. I used a pad of paper for cushion and put the watch sideways. Then with the razor blade, carfully pushed the pins down. Really like the watch, though I wish the band wasn't so tight. If I include one more link, feels pretty loose for me.
 
Ya have to love g-shocks. Ive had mine for 2 years now and there isnt a scratch on the lens. I would venture to say that these things are damn near indestructible.

G2300-9V.jpg


They issue them to the navy SEALs, now thats a watch.
 
jauto98 said:
Really like the watch, though I wish the band wasn't so tight. If I include one more link, feels pretty loose for me.
Click to expand...



Isn't there a fine adjustment on the band? Mine has a fine adjustment on the middle of the band where you squeeze the tabs to take your watch off your wrist. It adjusts it by the equivalent of 1/3 link. You can see this in the first pic with the turtle. There are 3 holes on the band clip just in front of the turtle's right arm.
 
White95Max said:
Isn't there a fine adjustment on the band? Mine has a fine adjustment on the middle of the band where you squeeze the tabs to take your watch off your wrist. It adjusts it by the equivalent of 1/3 link. You can see this in the first pic with the turtle. There are 3 holes on the band clip just in front of the turtle's right arm.
Click to expand...



Dang, you are right. Never noticed that! Fixing it now! Thanks!
 
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