Making It Fit........The Bracelet.

[Tools]

Omega uses pins to hold the bracelet together. To confound this, the nice clasp they provide does not have any micro-holes for adjustment..

But you can do it:

First you need a couple of simple tools.

Either a bracelet pin removal tool...or
A pin punch the approximate diameter (smaller) of the pins.
A small hammer to tap the pin out.
A pair of small pliers to pull out and insert the pin.

Something like this:
a-tools.jpg

Looking at the links from the backside, some small arrows can be seen etched in the removable links. The pins are pushed out in the direction of the arrows.

Place the bracelet in a padded vice, or hold sturdily on a piece of padded wood....or two with a small space between for the pin to have room to come out. After the pin is started out, it can be pulled the rest of the way with the pliers. This photo shows two pins partially out.
b-Arrows.jpg

Here we see the parts. You will notice we have two full links and one 1/2 link. The other parts are the locking tube and the pin. This photo also shows that the center links are actually three pieces and it is possible to mis-align the thin outside pieces..
c-3things.jpg

Unfortunately it is trial and error to know if you need a link out/added or a half link, or several, so don't put it together tightly unless you try it on "mocked up" first.

When you have the size you want, it's time to reassemble. The locking tube is inserted first in the center link, the link is mated up, and the pin is inserted. It is important that you notice that the pin has a long smooth side and a shorter side with a crimp. The crimp is what locks into the locking tube so it is important to insert the long end first. Push it in against the arrow (opposite of removal)

This shows the proper assembly order:
d-pinalign.jpg

[Robb]

Great tutorial!!!!

[sherwin]

look like seiko links that are on my divers watch

[Perdu]

Great stuff, Larry. I understand that if you use a pin pusher you must get one with a longer pin as the regular pin won't push an Omega pin out far enough. Thanks foe the helpful instructions.

[Perdu]

Larry,

If you are chnaging the bracelet and need to lay it flat is this the only way to half the strap or is there a spring pin on the clasp somewhere?

[gaopa]

Thanks, Larry! I think that even I can do that thanks to your clear explanation! Cheers, Bill P.

[DSJ]

Outstanding! I tried this a couple months ago on my SMP, but then wisely decided it was best to take it to the AD, since I nearly lost the tube.

[zak98]

thanks! have a 2254 coming soon!

[theloxmyth]

Thanks to your tutorial, mine GMT not flop around on my wrist.

You're one-of-the-best!

[rmcarlton]

Thanks for sharing!

[Monero]

I used one of those cheap plastic tools sold at Amazon, those blue ones. It works amazingly! I highly recommend them, and I didn't damage the links at all.

[xjeeunitx]

Does the planet ocean links have the locking tubes also?

[JimC]

Another great tutorial! Thanks, Larry!

[v1vne]

The Seamasters come with one half link.
The speedmaster 3570.50.00 has no half links.
Two half links, are longer then one full link.
The half link from the Seamaster Speedy bracelet fits:
The Speedmaster 3570.50.00 bracelet.
Adding one,or two half links.
Sometimes solve the bracelet fitment problems.
On Omega watches.
Omega should ship all of their watches with two half links.
But this is not the case.
Just food for thought.
Adding one half link, to my 3570.50.00. Made the bracelet fit correctly.
For those who purchase new, ask the AD to include a half link.
With your purchase.

[RXPete]

Awesome.. I just took out a half link.

Thanks!!

[TARDIS]

Great tutorial...thanks!

[janice&fred]

those pix were very helpfull as we just removed links from a bond seamaster so i would fit my wrists

janice :)

[miller1624]

Thank God found this post before I demolished my braclet! Great information! This is why I love this site!!

[Nashville cat]

This is great info for Rolex Datejust that was a bit loose...for husbands wrist...
thanks for taking the time to list!!

[dysondiver]

heres a tip , find a small block of wood , say 3x3 inch , and about 3/4 inch thick , and drill a 2mm hole in it , then line the pin your driving out up with the hole , it gives the pin somewhere to go , and the whole job gets easier .
hope tha helps

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

heres a tip , find a small block of wood , say 3x3 inch , and about 3/4 inch thick , and drill a 2mm hole in it , then line the pin your driving out up with the hole , it gives the pin somewhere to go , and the whole job gets easier .
hope tha helps

might work... ordered a bracelet pin remover online, that should do the trick

[Zirotti]

This may sound lame, but the push-pin bracelets are the only reason I can't fall in love with Omega or any other watch that has a bracelet that has pins instead of screws.

[thepurze]

If the pin tends to be sloppy a touch of nail varnish help keep it tight the purze

[cyglee]

Ok, all you Macguver fans...
A few years back, I bought my parents matching Constellations (gold/ss).
In a pinch, I did not have a punch pin of the right size and length.
So, I used pieces of metal I cut from a good sized safety pin.
It has to be straight, large enough in diameter to be strong, small enough in diameter to fit the bracelet hole.
I supported the bracelet on small toy blocks, and held the safety pin pieces with a small needle nose plier and tapped the Omega pins and tubes out.
When replacing the Omega pins, I used the safety pins pieces as a set punch to carefully drive the Omega pins flush.

Gutsy in my early days... now I like Bergeon watch tools!

[bbqBiker]

Information like this is always better shared. Much obliged.

[al358]

excellent , thank you so much. I always size any bracelet inside an old shirt box, much like you'd get at a department store. This way if something rolls away from you or pops out it will hopefully be contained in the box and you dont find yourself crawling around on the floor looking for it.

best regards, al

[jaffa_cree]

Damn speedmaster bracelet!
I have resized many bracelets of many brands myself using my cheapo push pin remove from ebay for $5, however I cannot for the life of me remove the pins from the speedy.

Time for a visit to the AD or my local mall watch repairer.

Grrrrr .......

Speedy 1
Me 0

[watchnut.com]

Originally Posted by jaffa_cree

Damn speedmaster bracelet!
I have resized many bracelets of many brands myself using my cheapo push pin remove from ebay for $5, however I cannot for the life of me remove the pins from the speedy.

Time for a visit to the AD or my local mall watch repairer.

Grrrrr .......

Speedy 1
Me 0

If you can get the jeweler to let you watch, you will see why it can be difficult and is better done with good tools.

[bob-e]

Thanks for this. I added a link to my speedy 3572.50 no problem. I need to order another full link and both link pins to make it fit just right. Anyone know a good place to get one? Thanks

[Marc1911]

Just how much extra length do you get out of a half link?

My dealer made my bracelet exactly the length I asked for but it is just slightly too tight and irritates my wrist after about 4 hours of wear. It needs to be loosened slightly but I don't want it flopping around either. Just curious how much extra length I'll gain before I start tearing the thing apart.

Thanks