How do you shorten your watch strap with links?

To shorten your watch strap, you need a watch strap shortening set, a (small) hammer, a pair of pliers, and a towel or tea towel. Put your watch on this to prevent damage.

Each link has a pin with which it's attached to the watch strap. Before you shorten your watch strap, it's important to check which links can be removed. You can recognize these links by the arrows that you find on the inside of the watch strap. These arrows indicate the direction you should follow when you remove or place the pin of a link.

Place your watch strap on the watch strap shortening set. Make sure the link you want to remove is in front of the needle that you use to remove the pin of your watch strap. To prevent damage to the screen of your watch, place a towel on the table before you get started.

The watch shortening set has a needle with which you push the pin out of a link. This needle is mounted on a rotatable screw. Turn this screw clockwise so that the needle presses against the pin. The pin protrudes on the other side of the link. If the pin is not too tight, you can pull it away with your fingers. If this does not work, use a pair of pliers (carefully). The link is fixed with 2 pins. Follow the above steps to remove the second pin as well.

After you've removed one or more links, you have to close the watch strap again. Attach the links to each other by inserting the pin into the link. Look at the direction of the arrow on the inside of the watch. Follow this direction when placing the pin. To put the pin in the link again, use a hammer. First, put a towel on top of the link and then carefully hit the link with the hammer. Make sure the pin is completely inside the link.

After you've removed the links, check whether your watch is comfortable enough on your wrist. Your watch is now ready for use again.