I purchased a citizen eco-drive perpetual calender titanium watch, and was wondering if adjusting the band is something I can do on my own or if I'll have to take it in. There's arrows on the links indicating a direction, but I can't seem to push the spindles in or anything, and I don't have watch adjustment tools. I also couldn't find any documentation on how to adjust the band. If anyone knows and could fill me in, it'd be much appreciated.
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Adjusting Citizen Watch bands?
- Thread starter Pedwalk
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- Apr 29, 2002
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I think you'd be better off taking it to a watch repair place. I've watched people adjust those things, they use a pair of very fine pliers and press that hole (next to the arrow) downwards and slide it over in the direction of the arrow.
wolfmann601
Gone, but not forgotton. RIP Ira.
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- Mar 12, 2001
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there is a special tool that allows you to easily add and remove links. the link pins need top be compressed on both ends simultaneously and without the tool it's a bitch.
Just go to any jeweler and most would be happy to do it at no charge. If you have great hands you can do it with two paper clips. I cannot!!
Just go to any jeweler and most would be happy to do it at no charge. If you have great hands you can do it with two paper clips. I cannot!!
Cougar Allen
Buccaneer (ret.)
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Well, some jewelers just mangle things. Most don't, though, and any jewelry store that isn't full of ham-handed idiots can do that with no damage to the finish and they'll charge you little or nothing.
If you want to do it yourself, push the pin out in the direction indicated by the arrow, and replace it pushing it in the same direction -- do not reverse that, always push the pin in the direction indicated by the arrow. So you push it in the side it didn't come out.
It's sometimes necessary to use quite a bit of force with a brand new bracelet. You might have to tap on the tool you use with a hammer or something -- don't pound with great force, just tap on it and it should come. If you have to use a lot of force it's important to use a pin punch the right diameter -- if it's too small it'll expand the end when you pound on it; if it's a little too big it'll enlarge the hole. Normally it'll come without that much force and anything handy will work as a pin punch -- a paper clip or whatever.
If you have it done at a jewelry store that'll loosen up the pins so you'll be able to make future adjustments yourself.
If you're into gunsmithing at all you'll need pin punches. You can buy a set but most of us make our own with broken drills or any rod we happen to have around -- if you don't have the size you need you can buy a drill and mount it in a dowel for a handle. Avoid high-speed steel drills if you're buying it for that purpose -- get a cheap carbon steel drill and heat it with a propane torch or over the stove to soften it. A pin punch doesn't have to be particularly hard and drills are so hard they're brittle and break easily. Brass rod works if you happen to have some the size you need.
If you want to do it yourself, push the pin out in the direction indicated by the arrow, and replace it pushing it in the same direction -- do not reverse that, always push the pin in the direction indicated by the arrow. So you push it in the side it didn't come out.
It's sometimes necessary to use quite a bit of force with a brand new bracelet. You might have to tap on the tool you use with a hammer or something -- don't pound with great force, just tap on it and it should come. If you have to use a lot of force it's important to use a pin punch the right diameter -- if it's too small it'll expand the end when you pound on it; if it's a little too big it'll enlarge the hole. Normally it'll come without that much force and anything handy will work as a pin punch -- a paper clip or whatever.
If you have it done at a jewelry store that'll loosen up the pins so you'll be able to make future adjustments yourself.
If you're into gunsmithing at all you'll need pin punches. You can buy a set but most of us make our own with broken drills or any rod we happen to have around -- if you don't have the size you need you can buy a drill and mount it in a dowel for a handle. Avoid high-speed steel drills if you're buying it for that purpose -- get a cheap carbon steel drill and heat it with a propane torch or over the stove to soften it. A pin punch doesn't have to be particularly hard and drills are so hard they're brittle and break easily. Brass rod works if you happen to have some the size you need.
Thanks for all the info Cougar. After seeing it done, I'm sure that I could do it myself now, it's really just a matter of finding the right materials. But the guy at the jewelry repair place was real helpful, and as it only cost me $10 I don't mind.
I knew the pins had to come out, but I think the object I was using wasn't the proper size, and I was scared to apply too much force and mess the watch up.
But yeah, all you really need is a pin of some sort, a small mallet or hammer, and a piece of wood with a hole drilled through it to hammer the rod down into. There's also little tubings inside the links, which I wasn't aware of, that you don't want to lose. So it's most likely just as well that I had someone experienced do it, rather than sending the tubings flying off somewhere and then scouring across my carpet on hands and knees trying to recover them
But if I ever have to adjust this watch, or another one, in the future, I'm sure I could get it done.
I knew the pins had to come out, but I think the object I was using wasn't the proper size, and I was scared to apply too much force and mess the watch up.
But yeah, all you really need is a pin of some sort, a small mallet or hammer, and a piece of wood with a hole drilled through it to hammer the rod down into. There's also little tubings inside the links, which I wasn't aware of, that you don't want to lose. So it's most likely just as well that I had someone experienced do it, rather than sending the tubings flying off somewhere and then scouring across my carpet on hands and knees trying to recover them
But if I ever have to adjust this watch, or another one, in the future, I'm sure I could get it done.
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2001
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- 1,190
I have several of the Citizen Eco-Drives between my wife and I. Always wanting to do things my self I found that an average size paper clip is just right for pushing the pin through. Needle nose pliers (or my leatherman wave) do fine to pull the pins and tap them back in. NO PROBLEMS! You'll love your Ti eco drive!
GREAT watch for the money!
GREAT watch for the money!
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- Oct 2, 1998
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- 1,874
You could always buy a Screw-Type Link Pin Remover for about $15 and never have to visit the jeweler again...
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- Jun 8, 2000
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- 3,140
I got the screw type pin remover and the bracelet tool from the linked site in his post (tztoolshop.com) and couldn't be happier. Now I can do it all at home and not worry about breaking or scratching something by using the wrong tool.
jmx
jmx
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- Jul 6, 2002
- Messages
- 20
they show the direction of which way the pins or links are to slide.
PLEASE do not use a hammer or anything forceful they come out easily once you know how. Send me a photo of the back, front and side of the bracelet and I shall email you how to get them out. I also have a tool for you if need be but a small pocket blade is often all the is
necessary and some care. A jeweler is fine but not always needed.
best Howard
PLEASE do not use a hammer or anything forceful they come out easily once you know how. Send me a photo of the back, front and side of the bracelet and I shall email you how to get them out. I also have a tool for you if need be but a small pocket blade is often all the is
necessary and some care. A jeweler is fine but not always needed.
best Howard