16618 bracelet link removal question

[PJW001]

Recently pick up a 16618LB all 18k (approx 1993) in what appears to be very good condition.
As I examine the bracelet from all sides I am not seeing any indication as to which direction the pins need to be pushed for removal. I am attaching pics in the hope guidance/assistance will be forth coming from a fellow forum member. I do have the correct tool/mechanism to remove/push the pins once I am sure of the direction to do so. My goal is remove one link from the bracelet side that has the 3 "push pin links".
Apologies for the poor images.

[HERITAGE82]

Don’t know the answer, but that is a beautiful watch!

[PJW001]

Originally Posted by HERITAGE82

Don’t know the answer, but that is a beautiful watch!

Many thanks indeed. Given its condition I am very happy to have this. Now if a helping/informative post would happen I would be even more happy.

[HERITAGE82]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=580944

[PJW001]

Appreciate your link. I did see this thread.
My challenge is based on close examination I cannot see any indication as to which direction the pins should be pushed. The ends of the pins do not have any depressions, they appear flat.

[thesharkfactor]

Lovely condition for an older Sub.

I'd probably push the same side as the one that has evidence of being pushed before. You can see the link on the left in the 2nd picture has been used before. So I'd decide which side appears of the oppsing link to be the same and push that.

[TimeToGo]

.
On the cheaper bracelets, i.e. Seiko, where they show the direction to push the pin is because the non-push side of the pin is slightly thicker to hold it in place.
.
Here are a couple of pictures of a push pin link that I own and shows that it was pushed on both sides (one I assume was like a thumb tack, the other is a bit thicker). Also attached is a Rolex NOS push pin, not showing a thicker end. As has been recommended, I would push on the side that has been used.
.

[PJW001]

Sincere thanks to all who posted suggestions.
I thought I would post the process I followed should another forum member need it.
1-Protect watch entirely before starting. (I used racers tape: ISC Racers Tape HT2308 since I had this on hand).
2-Remove band.
3-I used an inexpensive "pin pusher" to remove/push the pin (see pic 1).
4-The pin on the pusher only partially pushed the pin (See pic 2) so I needed an extension. This required cutting one of the extra pins that came with this device (see pic 3)
5-I then placed the extension in the pin hole and then continued using the same pin pusher to further push the pin.
6-However this still did not completely remove the pin. I could have cut another pin extension or pull the pin with a pair of pliers with nylon end caps so as to not damage the pin. I chose the latter.
7-The band has an interior collar that the pin fits thru. It creates friction and holds the pin in place (pic 4, This shows the pin on top, the collar in the middle and then a watch link).

Final thoughts; at the risk of repeating myself make sure all surfaces of the watch and band are protected before starting.
Work slowly being very careful not to bend the pin.
When actually pushing the pin both in removal and assembly keep a close eye on where the pushing extension actually meets the watch pin. It will have a tendency to slip off given the very minimal contact surface area between these two points.
If you need to use an extension pin as I did make sure it easily falls into and out of the hole and the interior collar before you start pushing this thru.
If this gets stuck in the collar or anywhere inside the band you could be SOL.
As you can see in pic 4 the watch band pins are uniform in thickness on either end so it does not matter which side you actually push from.

[Renbro]

very interesting to read.

[Alexjb007]

Rolex no usa pasadores de presión en ese modelo, usa tornillos.