How to Easily Size Watch Bracelets: Tips, Tools & Tricks. Avoid scratches & remove stuck screws

This video looks at tips and tools to easily size your watch bracelets and includes tricks to remove stuck screws.
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Tools mentioned in video:
Inexpensive Kit - amzn.to/3hLpIqI
Wera 1.2mm Driver - amzn.to/3AxxxI8
Bergeon Spring Bar Tool (other tip options available) - amzn.to/3lJGnMn
Loctite - amzn.to/3hRJwca
Electric Kettle - amzn.to/3nR6yUm
WD-40 - amzn.to/3knGVYY
I did not receive compensation or sponsorship for filming this video. The statements contained within are only my opinion. This video is offered for informational purposes only.
Included Amazon links are affiliate links and may qualify for compensation. Using these links helps to support the channel (even if you buy different items), doesn't cost you anything, and is greatly appreciated!

[@JonathanTReviews]

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[@ritchieritch393]

Love the way it’s assumed that the viewer doesn’t know how to boil water or where to purchase a kettle but will definitely know the strength of “blue” loctite in relation to purple

[@JonathanTReviews]

I did my best to help. Cheers

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks to everyone adding tips! Let's keep them coming to help others out and I'll try to capture them here: - Wrap the bracelet in painter's or masking tape to add rigidity and provide further scratch protection - Rather than WD-40, try soaking the bracelet (again, not watch head) in olive oil. This can help to loosen things without using a penetrating oil or caustic chemicals

[@redbarchetta8782]

Nice. One tip I'd pass along too is the use of 'painters tape' to hold the links together making them stiffer and scratch proofing while making adjustments. The added rigidness helps a lot.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing! Cheers

[@PickAnyNameButMine]

Hi Jonathan, I just wanted to say thank you to you and thank you for doing this video. Thank you also to those that left helpful tips. I was resizing my first Zelos watch and my first bracelet using screws, I had one screw that was stuck solidly, I tried using a hairdryer to heat it, but it didn’t work. I remembered watching this video, and quickly found it and watched it again. This time I used hot water in a mug from a boiled kettle and put the bracelet into it as far as the stuck screw. A few (4-5) minutes later I tried again, and it worked perfectly and I could remove it, thankfully the rest of the screws were no problem. I also put low tack tape either side of the screws to help protect the bracelet, just in case I slipped. I have the same make and size screwdriver that you used, and lightly screwed them in reverse as you showed, you definitely feel and hear a click when the screw is seated and then I could screw it back in properly. I am waiting a few days just in case I want to alter the bracelet, then if I am still happy with it, I will put a touch of 222 Loctite on all of them. This video and the tips left by others made everything so much easier.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thank you very much for sharing! That's awesome to read it was helpful and you overcame the stuck screw without things going south. Enjoy the new watch! Cheers

[@KLucero22]

Informative, didactic, and concise. Thank you so much for putting this tutorial together

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thank you so much! Cheers

[@johnhealey6455]

Great video! Very helpful. Thank you so much!

[@JonathanTReviews]

My pleasure! Thanks for the support 🥂

[@markedfortime]

Great tips here. I know a lot of folks have been dealing with adjusting bracelets with the hardening treatment. Hopefully this will save them from stripped heads and scratches.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thank you! That's my hope as well. Between the hardening process and increased usage of thread locker from the factory (responding to complaints about screws backing out), there have been a lot of people having issues. Cheers

[@Laura.L..the.nature.gal..16]

very helpful! thanks for the info regarding how some pins are actually screws.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Happy to help! Cheers

[@WesWatchRoom]

Thanks for the tips, I currently have a stuck screw in a bracelet so I'm going to give these tricks a go.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Happy to help! Good luck 🤞 Please let me know how it goes. I added some extra tips in the pinned comment too. Cheers

[@WesWatchRoom]

@@JonathanTReviews thanks man, appreciate that. I'll definitely have to try them

[@netcatfulful]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@JonathanTReviews]

Glad I could help! Cheers

[@MyAlan999]

My little Wera 1.2 has served me well :)

[@JonathanTReviews]

They are such great drivers for a really low price! Cheers

[@HorologyinSanity]

Great video with some great recommendations. One other tip I've found helpful for stuck pins or links is to soak them in olive oil. I had a pin and collar link stuck on one of my SARB033s and the olive oil trick worked great to loosen it up, but in a more natural way than using solvents, etc.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks buddy! I appreciate the tip! I'd much prefer using olive oil to WD-40 or a similarly caustic and risky (gaskets) option. Cheers

[@HorologyinSanity]

@@JonathanTReviews yep yep. All credit goes to my buddy, Jay. He recommended it to me and it worked great.

[@JonathanTReviews]

@@HorologyinSanity Watch'ing is a team sport 😁 Much of my feedback is from others sharing as well. Cheers

[@halkennedy6353]

Thank you - this was great. Very helpful. Now I'm off to boil some water...

[@JonathanTReviews]

Good luck! After the loctite is heated, just remember the firm inward pressure on the driver while turning. That part makes a world of difference in minimizing chances of stripping the head. Cheers

[@xmryeofuren]

I have trouble removing Cartier Cle De Cartier bracelet link..

[@JonathanTReviews]

Sorry, no experience with that model to confirm technique.

[@TheLezwoymn]

Good info, but he didn't mention how to loosen up the pins. I was only able to get out 1 pin.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Glad I could help. Can you clarify where you're running into an issue? Cheers

[@dianetaylor573]

How do you make your watch bracelet longer ?

[@JonathanTReviews]

Has it already been sized? If so, you should have extra links. If not or you don't, you'll need to contact the brand to see about obtaining more. Putting them in is the same process as removing, just in reverse. Cheers

[@refills9344]

What if I broke half the head unable to unscrew it, any solutions for that ?

[@JonathanTReviews]

That's unfortunately a tough one. Is it still fully seated (below flush with the link)? If so, it's probably best to enlist the help of a professional or the brand/manufacturer. Is the link on either end (last with a screw) or between other removable links? If the latter, it's likely easier to just remove that section and obtain (or use, if you have spares) extra links. Good luck

[@refills9344]

@@JonathanTReviews it’s a date just rolex and yes it’s on there the screw thing is on the bottom and not the top. Thanks !

[@JonathanTReviews]

I'd definitely recommend having someone check it out. Hopefully they have a specialty tool or technique without needing to drill it. Cheers

[@emircan3047]

how can we open locked (with glue) screws ? Please Help

[@JonathanTReviews]

Actual glue or thread locker? If actual glue, that's likely a problem. If thread locker, heat is usually needed for higher strength variants. Bringing water to boil and soaking the bracelet links (not watch head) is a good way to apply even heat. Cheers

[@emircan3047]

@@JonathanTReviews I dont know its actual glue or not the watch is inherited from my granpa it is a old watch. If its glue i cant open it?

[@JonathanTReviews]

If it's old, it might be best to have it professionally serviced. It could even be corroded or otherwise seized. You're certain it has screws and not pins? Split pins can look like screws.

[@emircan3047]

@@JonathanTReviews Yeah i am sure it's screw. It is rolex daytona but i think it's replica. So i am going to nearest clocksmith. Thank you for helping

[@joevac24]

What if the screw head is a bit stripped?

[@JonathanTReviews]

Depending on how badly it's stripped, it may still be possible to unscrew it with a quality screwdriver. If the screw is seized from thread locker, it's advisable to heat it first. Having as tight/solidly fitting a screwdriver will help and inward pressure while turning is key. It's nerve wracking, but I've successfully removed several questionable screws (read ones I didn't think were possible) with this technique. I've only had one screw I needed to drill out (severely seized, stripped, and broken 😣). Good luck. Cheers

[@joevac24]

@@JonathanTReviews I will try that. Thanks so much!!

[@joevac24]

It worked! I bought a nice set of precision screwdrivers and I was able to get the screw out. Thanks so much!!

[@JonathanTReviews]

That's great news! Glad I could help! Cheers

[@sergiogodoym4]

Very useful and informative! thanks!

[@JonathanTReviews]

My pleasure! I'm hoping it will help everyone minimize future headaches. Cheers

[@sergiogodoym4]

@@JonathanTReviews Yeah, mine as well...