How to Make a Watch Fit Tighter for Any-Sized Wrist

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The question of how to make a watch fit tighter may arise after purchasing a new timepiece for those who want to wear their wristwatch securely. The techniques may change depending on whether the watch is made of leather or metal.

If your watch is made of metal, you’ll need to remove the pins connecting the links, replace them, and then re-pin the watch. For leather straps, the buckle mechanism must be positioned into one of the several holes on the opposite strap.

How to Make a Watch Fit Tighter?

In some cases, the band of your watch might be difficult to alter. It can be challenging, especially if the watch is clutched. Putting on a watch with a clasp requires a just few steps to ensure a secure fit.

1. Figuring How Much Watch Band to Tighten

Determine the root cause of the problem with your watch first. Do you think it’s too small, too big, or maybe just a tad loose?

You’ll need to put it on and give your wrists a good workout to figure it out. Make a series of incoherent gestures with your hands.

If the watch slips off your wrist, it’s too big. However, if it moves slightly, it’s just loose enough that you don’t need to worry about it. You certainly could, but it could be too much trouble.

A little tight is OK (just as a little loose is good), but if your wrists pain when you move, you should adjust your watch.

2. Pinch the Watch

Tightening it requires a pinching motion, much like adjusting the clasp on a watch.

Be sure to lay your arm on a level surface with the bottom facing up. You’ll need to give the strap an even pinch on both sides (with fingers that are roughly the same distance apart).

Pinch it by grabbing the band or the face of the watch. There will be several links. You’ll require to carefully remove exactly this number of links, so be sure you get a correct count.

For instance, two from the left side and two from the right.

You’ll remove too many links if you don’t count carefully.

That’s why it’s important to squeeze it a few more times to ensure success. Keep track of the total number of times you perform this by writing it down.

3. Preparing Necessary Instruments

With that out of the way, you may begin your work. Acquiring the resources detailed here is all that’s required.

It’s likely that you already own most of them. You’ll require a push pin, nose pliers, and a jewelry hammer, to name a few.

If you’re not a fan of pins, you could be wondering what to do if you lose a link on your watch. Then, just grab whatever knife you happen to have on hand.

Moving on, except for a jewelry hammer, you probably already have everything here. You may acquire this at a very low price on websites like Amazon, where it is readily accessible.

In addition, high-quality illumination is an absolute must. You must readjust the timepiece in a well-lit area, as the tiny pins that hold the links together might be difficult to see in dim conditions. 

4. Surface

You will need to ensure that the watch is resting on a relatively level surface. In the event that it is not, the removal of the pins will be more difficult.

Yes, this may appear to be an inconvenience; but, if you are having trouble removing the pins from the device, you may just snap one of them inside of it. You would have to put forth twice as much effort if you did this.

Then, locate the desired quantity of links that were provided by the band. As was previously mentioned, it is possible that there are two from the left strap and two from the right.

Find the final link for each set, and then track down the pin that secures it to the main body of the strap. The pinhole is conveniently located on the side of the strap, just to make things simpler for you.

5. Push It In

You need to force the push pin into the hole. If you did this, the pin would be pushed out from between the links.

It’s possible to accomplish this without using a hammer, but doing so necessitates the use of excessive power and is therefore discouraged. In order to exert force, the jewelry hammer should be used.

The use of hands is also risky if the watch is water resistant since a slip might result in a puncture that would allow water in.

After it enters the hole, it can get fairly tight; therefore a jewelry hammer is a must. 

6. Take Your Pliers

If everything works well, the pin will be protruding from the hole. You could use your fingers to draw it out, but it would be a mistake. As previously said, the interior is rather cramped.

Therefore, pulling it might cause the pin to break. A fine-nosed plier might be useful in this situation. Take care not to apply excessive force while using the pliers.

Since you’ve already done this to one part of the strap (by removing 2 links from the left), you should do the same to the opposite side. 

7. Acquire the Clasp

In order to detach the clasp part, you will need to follow the steps you took to remove the metal links. It needs to be connected to the conclusion of the ties that you have just severed.

Now that you have the components of the clasp in hand, you may join them to the band that has been reduced. This step is the opposite of the one we just completed, so hammer the pin into the hole from the inside.

How to Tighten a Leather Watch Band?

By pulling on the holed section of the watchband, you may remove the metal tab from the hole and the watchband will open.

Keep pulling on that end of the band till the metal tab is flush with the subsequent hole. The metal tab can be inserted into this hole. The watchband should become more secure as a result. If you need more than one hole, you can punch one out of leather.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If the watch band is too loose, how do you adjust it?

Get in touch with a jeweler or watchmaker in your area if you think your watch is too loose or tight. If it’s a bracelet watch, they may take off links as needed. They may carry a variety of watch band replacements to help you find one that works better with your wrist.

Can you adjust the size of a watch on your own?

It’s possible that, with the right equipment and some time, you can adjust the size of your watch on your own. A professional adjustment may be in order, though, if your metal watch band is very intricate or if you just don’t have the time or resources to do it yourself.

What causes my watch to feel loose?

Your watch may need to be adjusted if you’ve put on weight since a bigger wrist means a bigger case. The watch will get loose due to the nature of the material it is built from. One of the most malleable metals is gold. You can easily tighten your watch if it has become loose.

If you don’t have the proper tool, how do you remove a watch’s links?

As an alternative to a tool, you can use a pin, sim ejector, or thumbtack to remove links from a watch with a loose strap.

To resize a watch, how much does it charge?

So many individuals have timepieces they adore but never wear because they are either too huge or too little for their wrists. Depending on the watchmaker’s rate of pay, resizing might cost anywhere from $30 to $60 an hour.

Last Words

After reading this content on how to make a watch fit tighter, you may enjoy wearing your favorite watch without having to be concerned about it slipping off your wrist. It should be possible to fine-tune your watch at home using the included instructions and equipment!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nick Rolloson

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