In short: Work out how many links to remove, take them from both sides of the clasp, and check whether the bracelet uses screws or push pins. For pins, follow the arrows on the inside of the links, push each pin out in the arrow's direction with a link removal tool or a pin pusher and holder block, keep any tiny collars safe, and refit the pin against the arrow.
A new metal watch bracelet almost always arrives too long, and a jeweller's counter will often charge to shorten it. With the right small tools and a little patience it is a ten-minute job at home or at the bench. The risks are real but avoidable: scratched links, a bent pin, or a tiny collar lost in the carpet. Here is how to identify your bracelet's fixing, remove links cleanly and put it back together so it sits right on the wrist.
Before you start: how many links, and from where?
Put the watch on and close the clasp. Pinch the slack bracelet together under the wrist and count how many links make up the excess. Take off one fewer than you think, as a bracelet that is slightly loose is comfortable while one that is tight is not, and many clasps have micro-adjustment holes for fine tuning afterwards.
Remove links evenly from both sides of the clasp. Taking them all from one side moves the clasp off-centre, so it ends up on the side of your wrist instead of underneath. If you need to remove an odd number, try the bracelet on and take the extra link from whichever side keeps the clasp closest to the centre of the underside of your wrist.
Screws or pins? Check before you push
Turn the bracelet on its side and look at the edges of the links.
- Screw links show a small slotted screw head on one side. These need a well-fitting precision screwdriver, not a pin pusher. Pushing a screw will damage the thread. If the screwdriver feels loose in the slot, stop and find a better fit, because a slipping driver chews the screw head.
- Push-pin links show plain pin ends and usually have small arrows stamped on the inside of the removable links. These are the ones this guide covers in detail.
- Folded or riveted links on some bracelets are not meant to be adjusted at home. If you cannot see screws or arrows, it is worth taking it to a watch repairer.
Tools for push-pin bracelets
You need something to hold the bracelet steady and something to push the pin. Two good set-ups:
A screw-driven link removal tool
A metal link removal tool holds the bracelet on an adjustable platform and drives a hardened steel pusher with a screw, so the pin comes out slowly and in a straight line. This is the most controlled method and the best choice if you are unsure.
A holder block and pin pusher
A hardwood link pin removal block cradles the bracelet in V-grooves, with channels underneath for the pin to drop through. Seat a fine point such as this pin pusher and scribe on the end of the pin first so it cannot skate across the link, then press or tap it gently with a small mallet. The hardwood will not mark polished steel.
Spring-loaded watch band pin pliers are handy for pushing pins and spring bars when you size bracelets regularly. Our watch & clock tools collection has the rest of the small kit for strap and bracelet work.
Removing a link, step by step
- Protect the bracelet. Work on a soft cloth or a bench mat, and lay a piece of low-tack tape over polished surfaces near where the tool will sit.
- Find the arrows. On the inside of the bracelet, removable links carry small arrows. They show the direction the pin should be pushed out.
- Set up the bracelet. Place it in the holder or tool so the pusher lines up with the pin end at the tail of the arrow, and the pin can travel out in the arrow's direction.
- Push the pin out. Turn the screw, or press steadily with the pusher, until the pin has come out far enough to grip. Then pull it free with smooth-jawed pliers. Never push against the arrow, which can jam or bend the pin.
- Watch for collars. Some bracelets have a tiny sleeve, called a collar, inside the link that grips the pin. It may fall out when the pin is removed. Keep it safe in a parts tray; without it the pin will not stay in.
- Remove the next pin to free the number of links you need, then set the spare links and pins aside in a labelled bag in case the bracelet ever needs lengthening.
Putting it back together
- Bring the two ends of the bracelet together and align the holes.
- Refit the collar if there is one.
- Insert the pin in the opposite direction to the arrow. Push it in until it sits flush with the edge of the link, using the tool or a gentle tap with a small mallet.
- Check the pin is fully home and does not stand proud on either side, then flex the joint to make sure it moves freely.
Try the watch on. If it is slightly loose or tight, use the clasp's micro-adjustment holes before removing another link.
Common mistakes
- Pushing a screw: always check the link edges first.
- Ignoring the arrows: pins are often designed to come out one way only.
- Losing the collar: work over a tray, not a carpet.
- A pusher skating off the pin: locate the point on the pin end first, and use a holder that keeps the bracelet still.
Frequently asked
Which way do I push the pin out of a watch bracelet?
In the direction of the small arrows on the inside of the links. Push the pin out the way the arrow points, and refit it in the opposite direction. Pushing against the arrow can jam or bend the pin.
How do I tell if my watch bracelet has screws or pins?
Turn the bracelet on its side and look at the link edges. A small slotted screw head means screw links, which need a well-fitting precision screwdriver. Plain pin ends, usually with arrows on the inside of the links, mean push pins.
Should I remove links from one side of the clasp or both?
Both, as evenly as you can. Removing links from one side only moves the clasp off-centre. If you need to remove an odd number, take the extra link from whichever side keeps the clasp closest to the centre of the wrist.
What is the small tube that fell out of my watch bracelet link?
That is a collar, a tiny sleeve inside the link that grips the pin. Keep it safe and refit it when you reassemble the bracelet, because without it the pin will not stay in place.
Related guides
- A watch-repair starter kit: what amateur watchmakers actually need
- Removing watch hands without damaging the dial
Go slowly, follow the arrows and work over a tray, and shortening a bracelet becomes a calm ten-minute job. Free UK delivery from £30, and unused tools can be returned within 30 days.