A wristwatch is an invariable accessory, often indicating a person’s status. Nowadays, the popularity of this accessory has decreased due to the presence of every person with a cell phone, which will always show the exact time on its display. But many still prefer to wear a wristwatch as a beautiful and fashionable accessory.
Which watch bracelets can you shorten with your own hands?
Manufacturers produce them, supplying them with different types of straps and bracelets.
Main types of strap materials:
- natural or artificial leather;
- mixed fabrics;
- plastic;
- precious or stainless metal (consists of links);
- ceramics;
- stretchy base;
- ceramics.
Typically, watches are produced taking into account different wrist widths, focusing on the widest one. Therefore, the most common problem when purchasing is Wrong bracelet size. It is especially difficult to choose the right size if the product was purchased without trying on, for example, through an online store.In this case, there is a need to reduce the length of the bracelet. It’s easy to reduce it at home; it doesn’t require special skills, just patience and accuracy.
There are several ways to reduce length at home:
- If bracelet leather, textile or plastic, the simplest solution is to puncture a new hole.
- If the bracelet is longer than necessary, he is being pruned.
- If the basis metal, you can work with the clasp, that is, the buckle. This method is suitable when the bracelet is not very large and the length needs to be slightly adjusted.
- Remove several metal or ceramic links from the strap.
- Remove excess segments from the stretch strap.
Cast metal, stone or ceramic bracelets cannot be transformed. They cannot be reduced on your own.
How to make a bracelet smaller?
Reducing the length of a leather or textile strap
- Prepare an awl or thick sewing needle.
- Put on your watch and mark the desired piercing location with a pencil or pen.
- Carefully pierce the strap with an awl. In some cases, the awl is heated to high temperatures to make the hole neater.
Reducing metal watches
- Unfasten the bracelet.
- Find the buckle stopper; it can usually be secured in three positions.
- Use a pin or needle to press the stopper and pull it out.
- You need to move it to a suitable position and press the stopper.
If the watch is still too big for you, you need to remove the extra links.
How to remove extra links from a bracelet?
You can remove excess links yourself using improvised means; it is not necessary to go to a workshop.
Wristwatch links are fastened in various ways:
- stiletto heels;
- screws;
- records.
The algorithm of actions is the same in all cases, only the method of attaching the links is different. To understand in which direction to pull the element holding the links together, manufacturers engrave the image of arrows on the inside of the bracelet links.
You will need:
- a well-lit place at the table. You should cover the table with a light tablecloth so as not to lose small parts;
- pliers;
- a sharp long object to push out the fastener;
- small hammer;
- a thin screwdriver if the links are fastened with screws.
Procedure:
- It is necessary to examine the bracelet and find the fastening element - the pin.
- Press the pin in the direction shown by the arrow on the inside.
- Apply force by lightly tapping the needle or awl with a hammer.
- Pull the pin out of the link using pliers and do the same with the other pins, thus disconnecting the remaining links.
- Now put the pin in place, locking the strap into the ring.
The same should be done with the plates connecting the links of the bracelet. The plates must be picked up with a thin object and pulled out with pliers.
Reducing ceramic watches
Some straps are made of ceramic rather than metal. It is also possible to reduce ceramic link bracelets yourself, following the same principle as with metal ones.
Ceramics is an extremely fragile material. You need to act extremely carefully and carefully!
Reducing the stretch bracelet
The stretch bracelet is very comfortable; there is no buckle and there is no need to fasten it. It consists of segments connected by U-shaped brackets.
Algorithm of actions:
- Put on the watch and mark the excess number of segments to remove them from the bracelet.
- Place the watch so that the bracelet brackets are visible.
- Take an awl and pry the staple.
- Pull the bracket out with pliers.
- Count out unnecessary segments and remove the U-shaped bracket.
- Connect the segments by placing the bracket in place.
Useful tips
Many people are interested in the question of how to choose the right strap for a watch.. An accessory with a good watch mechanism can serve its owner for many decades, but the strap may lose its original appearance over time. You don't have to buy a new watch; you can replace the old strap with a new one.
Tips for choosing a new strap
- Decide on the material. It can be leather or metal, textile or ceramic.
- The strap should not squeeze your wrist. The optimal girth is one that fits one finger between the watch strap and the wrist.
- The width of the new strap should fit your watch, that is, match the width of the old strap.
- Choose the color and texture of the strap to your liking, but the watch will look much more harmonious on your hand if the new strap matches the design of the dial.
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