How To Shorten A Fossil Metal Watch Band

How do you shorten a metal Fossil watch band? There are two ways Fossil puts their band, or bracelets together: pins and screws. The easiest way to determine if it uses pins or screws is by the arrows on the back of the band links. Pinned links will have arrows showing the direction they should be removed in. We will address both methods here. One thing to remember, if you are removing more than one link from a Fossil band, try to remove them from both sides of the watch face evenly so that the watch and clasp center on your wrist correctly.

To remove links from a Fossil watch you will need:

• Pin pushers
• Watch makers or tack hammer
• Bracelet holder
• Watch makers screwdrivers

To remove screwed links from the Fossil band:

1. Determine how many screwdrivers. Some makers use a single screw some makers use two-piece screws. If there is a screw head slot on each side of the link it is a two-piece screw. For the single screw you will need one screwdriver for the two-piece you will need two screwdrivers.  Pick drivers which match perfectly or you can wreck the heads.
2. Unscrew the screws from the first end of the link. Using the screwdriver, or drivers, carefully unscrew the screw until you are able to slip it from the hole. For two-piece screws you will use one driver on each end of the link, so be careful not to slip and scratch the link or watch.
3. Remove screws from second end of the link. Use the screwdriver(s) to remove the screw(s) from the second end of the link to be removed. Slip the ends of the screw from the holes. The link is now free.
4. Reattach the two ends of the bracelet.  Line up the holes of the links to be attached together. Slip the screw or screw pieces in the hole slowly. Use the screwdrivers(s) to screw the screws into place.
5. Put aside removed link.  Take the screw or screws and put them into the holes in the removed link so they do not get lost. Put the link aside in case it is ever needed.

 To remove pinned links from a Fossil band:

1. Place bracelet in bracelet holder. Put the bracelet in the holder with the arrows on the back of the bracelet pointing down. This is the correct way.
2. Remove pin from first side of link. Use the pin pusher which is close in size to the pin and gently tap the pin out of the hole until it is loose enough to pull out.
3. Remove pin from second side. Using the pin pusher and hammer again remove the pin from the opposite side of the link. Put one pin in the holes on the separated link so they do not get lost and put it in a safe place in case it is needed later.
4. Rotate bracelet in the bracelet holder. Change the position of the bracelet in the holder so that the arrows point up now. This is the correct way to put pins back in. They should go in against the arrows.
5. Connect the links.  Line up the holes in the two links to be attached. Push the pin down into the hole and then hammer gently to tap the pin down into the links until it is flush.

You have just successfully removed a link from your Fossil watch, congratulations.

Resource:

Watches