Comments for
adjusting timex solid link bracelet watch band

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May 10, 2009
 Pin must be tapped out, allowing space for the pin under the link
by: Spencer

I have a Timex Expedition watch and was very frustrated trying to remove the pins that hold the adjustment links in place.
My problem was that I envisioned the pin as a spring loaded pin, like the ones normally found on watches. It is, instead, a solid piece of steel.
To remove the pin, I had to place the band on a solid surface to allow the pin to be driven from the circular indention on the top (in the direction of the arrow), but it had to have space below where the pin will be pushed out (small circle on the opposite side of the link). I managed this by placing it on top of a pair of pliers laying on its side, putting the pin above the space between the jaws.
I used a small finishing nail and a light-weight hammer to tap the pin out a little, then pulled it the rest of the way with the pliers.
Two pins have to be removed to take out one link. Putting the pin back is easier because the band can be placed on any solid surface and the pin can be tapped back in.
Sep 09, 2009
 Great instructions
by: Anonymous

Thanks so much your directions were extremely helpful!
Sep 11, 2009
 watch band pin removal
by: Anonymous

great advice,,,,,NOWHERE in the poor instructions does it mention this.....
Sep 24, 2009
 Great
by: Ron

Thanks, for your help! It saved me a trip to the jewelry store and worked just as you said.
Nov 12, 2009
 Thanks
by: Anonymous

Good post. It worked well. I was able to use a section of paper clip for my improvised punch and while not ideal (tends to bend if you don't strike it just so) it did the trick.
Dec 23, 2009
 Perfection...
by: Campbell

You missed your calling, you should be writing these directions for Timex. Thank you very much.
Dec 25, 2009
 Thanks!
by: Anonymous

Thank you for the clearly worded and great instructions.
I just got a Timex Expedition for Christmas and I had to remove 4 links to get it to fit.
Dec 25, 2009
 Thanks!
by: Anonymous

Our jewelry shop charges $20 per link and I needed 4 taken out of my $30 Timex! This was incredibly helpful and free! Thanks!
Dec 26, 2009
 End to frustration
by: Don

Thanks so much.
You ended hours of frustration.
Jan 06, 2010
 Terrific directions
by: GarryC

Looked difficult - took 1 minute. What a great help!
Jan 06, 2010
 Thanks
by: Anonymous

Nice write up, clear and concise. The Timex instructions do not inform the user that you need to tap out the solid pin. I'm sure many people think that the link is held together with the same type of pins used to connect the band to the bracket. Thanks...
Jan 16, 2010
 Fantastic! Great Instructions
by: Lorenzo C

I too was struggling with trying to get my watch band adjusted and thought I might have to find a video or some jewelers secret on removing links. I was wrong. Great explanation and worked perfectly. My watch band now fits. Thank you!
Jan 18, 2010
 links
by: Anonymous

it is a pain in the ass i wish it was easier
Jan 26, 2010
 timex strap ajustment
by: John W

brilliant ....well explained...did the job easy.....many thanks.
Jan 31, 2010
 Nice, thanks Timex for the easy adjustment
by: Bill in Chicago

Thank you, spent almost a week trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. I rufused to pay a jewler for a $25 watch. Nice.
Feb 12, 2010
 Failed
by: Anonymous

I just spent hours trying to get the pins out. I tried pulling the pins out with pliers but it crushed the pins.
Feb 20, 2010
 Your the man
by:

Thanks bud. I almost lost my mind. Another way to explain this to someone who has never seen this band before could be, "The little round nipple that looks like a pin need's to be tapped out forcefully through the link which has the arrow stamped on it".
Thanks Again.
Mar 06, 2010
 Thank You,
by: Anonymous

Thank You, Thank You!!!!
Mar 09, 2010
 You are just sooo awesome
by: gdottie

I was about to take this stupid thing back! I'd played with it almost an hour. The timex site says the links are SPRING LOADED. Sheeeeeez! Got the pliers and a tap hammer and done in 5 minutes. Timex should hire you to write the instructions!
Mar 11, 2010
 Don't buy TimeX
by: Anonymous

Save yourself all the trouble, and frustration. DO NOT BUY TIMEX
Apr 22, 2010
 Great, Thanks
by: Purpy

I must have looked my watch over for an hour trying to figure out the instructions...thanks for your assistance.

PS: Anonymous above must work for Fossil! lol

Apr 23, 2010
 Finally!
by: Anonymous

I don't know what the instructions that came with my watch were for, but they certainly didn't apply to my watch! Thanks so much for this!
Apr 25, 2010
 links
by: Anonymous

Thank you soooooooooooooo much!
May 11, 2010
 links
by: Anonymous

I love it when a plan comes togather!
Many thanks.
jl
May 20, 2010
 thanks
by: Anonymous

It worked! Thanks so much!
Jul 14, 2010
 Watch Strap Instructions?????????
by: Anonymous

I searched the Timex website for instructions like yours and guess what....couldn't find anything on this pain in the *$$ topic. I guess Timex thinks everyone has the same size wrist. Thanks for your help. Timex....get your head out of your *$$. :)
Jul 20, 2010
 Thank God
by: Anonymous

Thank God for someone else's pain of the Timex wristband reduction. You saved a major panic attack and possibly the loss of one finger. High five on the advice.
PBWY
Jul 22, 2010
 Ahhhh....so THAT's how ya do it!
by: Enlightened!

Ahhhh...thank you for this enlightenment. I've been trying to following the pictures provided by Timex at no avail. Now I see how to do it! Thanks. You saved me much frustration.
Jul 30, 2010
 Thanks
by: John

These are the exact instructions I was looking for. Thank you very much.
Oct 10, 2010
 big help
by: Mike (AL)

Ended up removing five links. Not smart so I took all from one side, clasp was almost on the watch, added two back and then took two from other side. Without your help, it would still be in the drawer.
Oct 11, 2010
 thanks for the instructions
by: hank

Thanks for the instructions. Worked like a charm.
Oct 26, 2010
 Another big THANKS
by: Anonymous

I was trying to push the pin out with another pin--wound up drawing blood.

This worked perfectly--thanks!!
Nov 06, 2010
 Awesome instructions
by: Spirit Child

Thanks mucho! Worked like a charm.
Dec 05, 2010
 Awesome Instructions
by: Shane

Just like the other posters this one had me about ready to take it to a jeweler or return it to the store especially for such a relatively inexpensive watch. Very helpful post, thanks.
Dec 07, 2010
 Great suggestion
by: Anonymous

It was a pain to do, but it worked. Thanks!
Dec 25, 2010
 Thanks
by: Anonymous

The instructions supplied with the watch were very lacking, I found your post great instructions - I will try again by tapping out the pin. THANKS
Jan 03, 2011
 Great instructions
by: Jussi

It took me about 3 minutes removing one link using your guidelines. I used a short length of paper clip, longnose pliers and a small hammer. It was apiece of cake. It took longer to get the tools together than it did to remove the link.
Jan 15, 2011
 frustrating......
by: suzi

Tips really helpful.........but used a packet of papar clips and bent them all, safety pin no good either....now going in search of a long thin pointy thing in the garage???..but I will not be beaten...
Jan 15, 2011
 dunnit!!
by: Suzi again

Woop de woop at last.....half a packet of drawing pins later and I've finally got 4 links out of my watch strap. Could'nt have done it without you, thanks
Jan 15, 2011
 dunnit!!
by: Suzi again

Woop de woop at last.....half a packet of drawing pins later and I've finally got 4 links out of my watch strap. Could'nt have done it without you, thanks
Jan 19, 2011
 Great instructions!
by: Anonymous

My husband received this watch as a gift for Christmas and had been trying to follow the instructions to reduce the band. I tried the Timex site, which was as useless as a bucked under a bull, then searched Google. I was thrilled to have your instructions and was able to make the desired changes in less than 1/2 hour. Kudos. You are awesome! Ruth
Jan 29, 2011
 Not just Timex
by: Roger Ransom

I had the same problem with my Citizen Eco Drive that was a couple hundred bucks (I don't remember exactly) Those instructions were no better.

Happily I found this procedure.

I have a tiny drill bit that I use in model building for a pin driver , drilled a little hole in a piece of wood to drive the pin into. Now it takes about 30 seconds per pin.

Thanks folks!
Feb 21, 2011
 Did the Trick!
by: Tom's Wife

If there had been a light bulb over my head, it would have just started glowing. Worked perfectly--you are a genius and ever so wonderful to help so many people! I fixed my husband's Timex band--no problem!!! You are a jewel!!
Feb 22, 2011
 Sheet says it is a screw not a pin
by: Anonymous

The pins on my timex band look like a small screw head on one side and the instructions say to unscrew it. Is that correct or can I just push the pin out?
Feb 22, 2011
 YES!
by: ShopApe

I would have ruined my watch if i had not read this post. Thank You dude. I am grateful, This is the first time i have left a comment on a web page.

To the guy that left the messege before me - Knock that pin out.
Mar 04, 2011
 Thanks
by: Anonymous

Thank you so much for posting your instructions!
Mar 05, 2011
 Frustration with timex
by: Edward Sherlock

Great directions but where can i find a picture of where the arrows are and what i am supposed to be pushing in or out
I cannot find any arrows
Directions with watch are pitiful
East read carraige model
than k you
Mar 30, 2011
 Easy instructions
by: Len

Great instructions. I removed a link with no problem at all. Many thanks.
Apr 04, 2011
 timex ironman watch band remove link
by: Anonymous

Your post was helpful, thanks.

The search engine which can not be named needs some help getting this post better results.

Timex ironman watch band remove links. Shorten band. Instructions.
Apr 14, 2011
 removing links
by: Anonymous

I found this helpful this shows you how http://youtu.be/wLTzGAtxXsc
Jun 04, 2011
 Brilliant
by: Anonymous

Perfect. exactly what I needed to know. Thanks.
Jun 18, 2011
 thank you - you should write instructions
by: Anonymous

so easy if you know the magic to it. a pair of pliers later and i became an expert. i thank you and so does my husband!
Jul 21, 2011
 THANKS!!
by: Linda Dreer

Timex has great customer service, but they write lousy instructions. Your help was what was needed. perfect.
Jul 24, 2011
 No circular indention on the top
by: Anonymous

I have a Carriage also and there is no circular indention on the top. I can see no way to remove anything from the band except removing it from the watch. At 19.95 I'm just taking this one back to the store.
Aug 19, 2011
 AWESOME!
by: Anonymous

I have had this watch for over a year now and have never been able to wear it until I read your post!

Thank you so much!
Aug 20, 2011
 F8ck Timex
by: Anonymous

There's a special circle of hell reserved for Timex, thanks to their shockingly poor bracelet design. Will never buy one again
Oct 08, 2011
 Expedition Bracelet
by: Anonymous

Thanks so much for your instructions on how to shorten the Timex Expedition Bracelet. It took me 5 minutes after I read your instructions.

Lloyd P - Texas
Oct 25, 2011
 Pins look like screws, look carefully
by: Karen A

I had the same problem and I am fixed now. My timex watch has pins holding the links. The one side looks like the little hole to tap into, the other side looks like a flat or slot head screw but there is no room in the screw head to fit even the smallest screwdriver. If you think you have screws, try that end first. If it spins and nothing comes out, then you can tap the pin from the other side that does not look like the slotted screw head. I did like he said and tapped over another item so the watchband is supported and pin has room to come out the bottom. After I moved enough links how I wanted them, the pins tap back in in the same direction they came out. No arrows needed, just peek at the other unmoved links for the clue.
Dec 31, 2011
 thanks NEW
by: J.P.

Worked like a charm
Dec 31, 2011
 Bingo! NEW
by: Anonymous

A little tricky, but got it! Your directions were sooooooooooooo much better than the official one's included with the watch. Thanks!
Jan 07, 2012
 Thank you NEW
by: Donna

Did it!!! Took a minute but once I figured out how hard to tap it worked perfectly. I love cheap Timex watches and this saved me from taking it to the Jewelers for an expensive adjustment!

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