How To Resize A Citizen Watch Band - Add & Remove Links At Home

Citizen Eco-drive watch. Adding and removing links to size the band. This is done using a paper clip and a hammer to carefully remove the pins that retain the stainless steel links to lengthen or shorten. This is a ladies ecodrive day date watch, but the procedure should work on men's watches as well.

[@lauri.nordling]

Watched this maybe a year ago, shortened my watch band by a couple links. Got a new Citizen today, watched this again and got my band shortened again, thanks to you! :)

[@ardentst]

I tried to figure it out on my own for about 20 minutes and since didn't want to scratch or worse, mess something up on the pins, I searched for, how to remove links from citizen eco drive watch band, and your video was the first to pop up. I took a chance on you, and I'm glad I did. you were straight to the point, no huge monologue, intro, and the all too common, hit subscribe, the like button, and the bell. Nope, you didn't do any of that, which eats up my time and for that, I liked your channel a ton. again, thanks a bunch for the informative video, and have subscribed to your channel. see you around. LQ

[@Hennypenny8888]

When it come out, the flared end would come out first, but to insert it back, you need to insert the narrower smooth end first, NOT the flared end. By inserted the flared end first, you'd destroy the link bar and make it more likely to dislodge in future. Anyone watching this video would be damaging their brand new watch!

[@nyastclair8174]

I actually thought the same thing when he said to enter the flared end first. I need to take some links out of my ana digi temp, hopefully it can be adjusted the same way.

[@rhymereason5912]

@@nyastclair8174 you your

[@mikemo5196]

Thankyou! I just bought a $500 dollar sapphire and gold watch.

[@stephenmcsweeney7562]

Excellent advice

[@TradingApe]

You sir are the best, it’s 2022 and you still out here helping 💯

[@aislebback]

Brilliant! We ended up using two different sized quilting needles as the paper clip was a bit soft. (Thank you Brian Bommarito) A smaller one to tap the pin out and then when putting back in we used a larger diameter one that wouldn't fit all the way through which enabled us to recess the pin slightly without any damage. Remembering to reverse the pin so that as Fav Bal commented earlier .... 'The thin part goes in first and against the arrow so the flared side stays on the same side it was when you started. This way you don't thin out the flared side and lose the snugness by going through all the holes.' Thanks to all!!

[@Gigi-yy7jp]

Using the needles instead worked great! Thanks for the tip as I had no luck with the paperclip.

[@gregsburns]

Worked perfectly for me. Thanks for the video which gave me a sense of how much force was required, and the confidence to do it myself. Flawless!

[@widowdev]

I've been watching your motorcycle content for years.. I go to look up a watch band resizing tutorial today and didn't even realize this was you at first! Haha truly the goat thanks for you help!

[@chekovcall2286]

Was just about to resize my new watch but checked the sofa one last time and found the old one. Thank you.

[@howardkitchens7719]

Followed the instructions and worked well for me. Just don't try to use too much force at anytime. I did replace the pin and tapped down with the hammer until only 2 or 3 mm exposed and used the removed link to push it flush with the band (didn't use the hammer and metal as the last step). Thanks so much for posting the video.

[@JoseMunoz-jw9jr]

Afer you removed a link, to put the pin opposite the way you did it. Thank you so much for this video.

[@thomaslinton5765]

Thank you for the tips. Wood with holes" check. Bent paper clip: check. Pliers fro stubborn pins: check Hammer: check. OTHER IDEAS: 1) Pins are meant to go in one direction. Therefore, they are inserted narrow end-first- opposite the direction the removal arrow points.; 2) I use fingers to replace the pin and wiggle things around to line up the holes in the various parts of the bracelet; 3) a small C-clamp, with its screw leverage, easily pushes the replaced pin flush with the bracelet with no risk of striking the link with a hammer; 4) if you must hammer, a child's carpentry set hammer is easier for me to control than my Grandfather's carpenter's claw hammer; 5) place removed links together on a flat surface with extra pins on top. Sick a suitably long piece of Scotch tape over the pins and links and over each end of the "parcel." if you ever need to use one of the removed links, it will be together with the correct pins. Where? in an otherwise empty wide-mouth plastic bottle. Mine held mineral tablets. Thanks again for you great help.

[@thomaslinton5765]

6) I purchased a couple of watch bands. They came with combo spring bar/pin punch tools. One was repurposed as the tool that I tap with my tiny hammer to remove stubborn pins. The paper clip worked. The punch works better for me.

[@terrycunnane5443]

Brilliant use of materials. Explained at a good speed. No "ums", "ers" or repetitions.

[@jenniesgarage]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm not the best speaker, but try to keep the vocalized pauses to a minimum.

[@nschultz417]

I just did this! It only took about 10 minutes and now it fits so much more comfortably. Thank you for you help!

[@lou1201]

The pin goes back in unflared side first opposite the direction of the arrow!!!

[@jvardakis]

Just used this technique with my wife's new Citizen Ecodrive watch. Was a little tricky getting the pin back in but all-in-all worked exactly like the video. Thanks for the help - great job!

[@jenniesgarage]

Thanks for the comment, I'm glad it worked for you!

[@jackcrusan]

I would put the pin back in the way it came out. The flared end is hard to line up with the holes and the pin will bend. If you start the pin on the opposite side with the smooth end it will easily go in all the holes and only a slight tap will cause the flared end to seat.

[@jlewisesq]

Wow! That took me about 5 minutes following your video. Awesome and thanks! I used a thick needle but all else was the same. That was my first youtube "how to" video and it worked like a charm. Thanks!

[@jenniesgarage]

Thanks for the comment, I'm glad you got your watch fixed!

[@cliffordavery1049]

Thank you very much. This was extremely useful and saved me time and money. Especially for the pins being different on each side. Maybe it is better to drive in the pins from the opposite side of the arrow with the smaller side of the pin first. This is the way it came out.

[@renegarcia7662]

Thank you very much. I was afraid to damage the watch but with your advice I was able to take care of it myself and avoid having to go back to the store. Thanks again.

[@jenniesgarage]

+Rene Garcia I'm glad it worked for you and saved a drive to the store!

[@favbal2450]

+Jennies Garage shouldn't the re-insertion of the pin be in reverse order? The thin part goes in first and against the arrow so the flared side stays on the same side it was when you started. This way you don't thin out the flared side and lose the snugness by going through all the holes.

[@dvybq]

Thanks for the correct info. My brother-in-law and I had spent several minutes trying to unscrew the pins because another site showed the pins can be unscrewed and we saw what appeared to be a slot in one end of the pin for a screwdriver. Your information was most helpful. Ideas from my experience: (1) I'm usually great at adapting paperclips for my needs but I struggled with making a paperclip work. I took a pushpin and ground the point flat. The diameter was perfect and the plastic head was a stable surface to hammer. (2) I reinserted the pins solid end first at the exit hole and pushed on the split end. (3) I used a plastic putty knife handle over the end of the split pin to hammer the pin into place. (4) I pushed the leftover pins into the removed links for storage. I discovered using the pushpin to push the pin in to place was all I needed. The hammer wasn't necessary.

[@heatherpgarrison]

Thank you so much! This helped tremendously. I removed two links. I'm not as handy as you seem to be, so it took me longer - but mission accomplished!

[@jenniesgarage]

Glad to help out, and I'm not that handy, it's just the magic of selective video editing!

[@pradeeprajagopal7374]

I had to use some tensile strength and pliers but it worked for my eco-drive! The tutorial is much better than the other ones on the citizen websire

[@ThereIsOnlyTheOnePJC]

A variation of this worked for me. Instead of a hammer, I used my chunky Victorinox penknife. Instead of a piece of wood with a hole, I set it on top of a space between 2 CD jewel cases.

[@jahawnp9167]

Thanks for this video. Wife new Citizen watch needed a link out. This save me the time and hassle of going to a jeweler. And it took less than 5 mins to so. How can anyone thumbs down this? Oh... unless they were jewelers.

[@kevinf3845]

Thanks, Jennies Garage. Super helpful! Agree with the other folks about reinserting the pin the opposite way that it came out 😄

[@enrichingexchanges]

Thank you so much! This was so helpful and easy! Anyone who shares useful and good knowledge that makes life a little better is a teacher. Thanks for sharing!

[@jenniesgarage]

Thanks for the comment, I'm glad to help out

[@SuperJCBDigger]

Really useful info - just got a Citizen Promaster and was trying to figure out which way the pins should be pushed out - I didn't notice the direction arrows on the back of the strap until you mentioned it - talk about not seeing the wood for the trees! Thanks again! :)

[@stevelarwood8058]

I knew how to do this, I just wanted to see someone else take a hammer to their wife's watch first! Thanks for giving me confidence that I wasn't gonna screw it up!!! The wife's a happy bunny now her watch (that's been sitting in cupboard so long it had stopped!) is finally on her wrist! :)

[@michaelnott2440]

IMPORTANT - MISTAKE IN VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS - The pins should be removed in the direction of the arrow on the inside of the strap, you will notice the pin as it exits the strap is slightly flared ON REFITTING. The pins must be inserted in reverse, WITH THE FLARED END LAST, recess end of pin 0.5 mm in hole.

[@uillyhernandez7080]

I have a Bulova Watch don't know how to resize AND make it bigger😟

[@cartergilbert2221]

Michael Nott thank you so much for this info, I'd hate to mess up my 15th birthday gift being an Eco-Drive Titanium

[@738polarbear]

Exactly Well said sir.

[@thelonehellyranger01]

Uilly Hernandez I’d say loose weight but that would suck lol 😝 just kidding

[@thundercat007]

Exactly!!! The pin should be reinserted in the opposite direction of the arrows. This user went in the same direction as the arrows.

[@Jazziegirltoo]

Good job! At first, the video was blurry and I could not see the kind of pin you have. Then it cleared up. It's not my pin, but my other watch was, that I did another time.

[@harleyrider4949]

worked like a champ, I just did the reverse on the reinstall - ie I drove the pin from the bottom side with the smooth part going in first

[@RaviYamala]

Thank you for taking time and making this video. Your instructions worked perfectly and saved my trip to the jewellers.

[@Barnagh1]

Thanks for posting this - new watch adjusted successfully in a few minutes.

[@jenniesgarage]

***** Thanks for the comment. I'm glad it helped you adjust the watch.

[@joyceoliver5080]

Thanks for the video. My husband followed your video and it worked great!

[@taabuferret1118]

Thanks for this video. I have an older Skyhawk that I needed to remove a link from and didn't want to go to the jewelers. A suggestion for those trying this: If you have a thicker sewing needle, that works a bit better than a paper clip. Just hold it with a pair of needle nose pliers and give it a few good whacks. Also, if you use a wood block to do this on, you may have trouble getting the pin far enough out to grab it with needle nose pliers. I recommend doing it on something like carpet, or a foam block if you have one.

[@aaronfale3730]

+Taabu Ferret Unless the wood block has a hole in it where the pin can come through like this guy has in his video :)

[@taabuferret1118]

+aaron fale That's my bad. I didn't notice that and if mentioned, it didn't click in my head.

[@aaronfale3730]

;) hope you have a great weekend :)

[@hubersrj1]

Awesome tutorial! I've recently lost quite a bit of weight so my Ecodrive was nearly falling off my wrist. I figured it was as easy as you made it look, just wasn't sure about actually doing it. Thanks for the boost, mine's good to go!

[@echodun]

This worked well. It took awhile on one link. Instead of wood I used a dish cloth to put the watch on and hammered the pin out with the paperclip. Also, I had no problems hammering the pin back into the new link without needing any other material If you take your time the pin eventually drops in the hole without risking hitting the watch itself. Couple of things: Take your time - some pins are easier to get out than others depending on where you are on the links. Also, if you accidentally push a pin in too far and it doesn't fall in the new link you have to keep pushing it through to start over rather than pulling it back up. Good luck.

[@nevjencook]

Excellent, worked a treat. Saved a visit to the jewelers. Many thanks

[@jtquick893]

Great video ! I like the way you bent the paperclip(90 degree angle) and taped with hammer. Piece of wood with drill hole is a great idea. Two things, That door jam stop in not made out of copper.Too soft for door application. Its just gold plated metal. Second, instead of regular hammer ( your not framing) use a tack hammer a small piece of hard wood or hard plastic. Other than that, Very Informative !

[@jenniesgarage]

Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the ideas!

[@JamieLent]

+1 on the pushpin comment. Snipped the point off of the tip and sanded it smooth. Then tapped the pubs out. Saved the extra pin in the extra links. If you worry about damaging the watch, a few layers of tape on the hammer head makes a good improvised rubber mallet.

[@pauldavies9543]

This was so helpful but I did one link on each side of the watch for an even fit.

[@jacksharp9303]

First thing i thought when he took out two links. Not the best instructional video.

[@melvynadams8657]

Thanks, Samuels wanted to charge me £20 just like another respondent here. Slight difference with my titanium watch - a mans watch- there is no split pin but there is a 'sleeve' on the inner link which can easily fall out. This sleeve is replaced before offering up the link and tapping in the pin. Without the sleeve the pin just falls out

[@neilpavett3413]

Agree - the sleeve / ferule is tiny and easy to lose. Take care.

[@camilogodoy5877]

In some models there is a litttle sleeve that goes inside the link. be careful not to lose it, otherwise the pin (no matter which side you put in first) is always loose (and may drop anytime).

[@randorfja]

Yes, confirmed!

[@MaryJayneTrainor]

Thanks for this video! I was about to pay to have someone do this for me, but it was so easy!

[@Nuggett33]

Awesome! Thanks! I was wondering how much pressure to use. Creating a right angle in the paperclip is a good idea and having a whole in the wood.

[@IngerWinkelmann]

Thanks, you just saved me a visit to the watch makers! Great tip! :)

[@jenniesgarage]

Glad to help, thanks

[@saildale]

Thanks, Always better not to resort to trial and error. I found it easier to hold the bands steady when hit if I cut off a piece of paper clip and held it with a needle nose that to hit a bent wire. I use the same piece of paper clip to countersing the pin as it was originally.

[@angelashafer8470]

Thank you so much for this video! Worked like a charm and saved me a trip and probably cash$$!!

[@OUnit1]

This worked perfectly for me -- thanks so much. I bought one of those $6-$7 watch-link removal kits from Amazon (with the mallet and a couple drivers to get the pins out), but didn't really know what to do with it. I just adjusted 2 of my watches in about 15 minutes, thanks!

[@jenniesgarage]

Good to hear you got your watches adjusted!

[@ronfishtube]

Thank you, a comprehensive explanation step by step

[@jenniesgarage]

Thanks so much, happy to help!

[@HannahKilcoyne]

Thanks, the block of wood was key. Saved me $10.

[@jenniesgarage]

+Hannah Kilcoyne Glad it worked for you, thanks!

[@kjo9110]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing this how-to! Worked like a charm.

[@claudea79]

Thank you for this great video! This is just the solution that I was looking for!

[@susieqclark1201]

You have just saved me £15 as I did it myself. Thank you!

[@jenniesgarage]

Glad you saved some money!

[@yungt220]

Awe it actually works I did it for mine and now it perfectly fits ....👍👍

[@johnlake8009]

Super helpful, saved a trip to the jeweler!

[@magdyhammad4158]

Excellent instruction, easy to understand ! thanks !

[@audreymuratore]

Just did the same for my cheap watch from Target. No one removes links anymore and I wasn't going to pay to have them removed when the watch cost me $19.99. Shame on these stores that don't do that especially on an expensive watch. So thank you for the video tutorial.

[@TheViewTube99]

Thanks for posting this, was hesistant to touch a $300 watch without research!

[@MrRadar88]

Thanks! You not only saved me money, but you saved my wife a lot gas by not having to drive to the jewelry store in the mall.

[@MatchstickMan]

Saved my life. Thanks.

[@jenniesgarage]

+SamCleaves Happy to help!

[@davetran858]

thanks! saved me some time and money.

[@jenniesgarage]

Dave Tran Glad to help out, thanks!

[@MantasJanusauskas]

Thank you a lot, Sir. It worked! At first I thought I will need a tiny screwdriver. But those are just pins... :)

[@giovannidimarco8632]

I almost destroyed my watch doing this.

[@alohamark3025]

Advice on men's band: There is sleeve inside one of the inner links and it has a tendency to fall out. Without this sleeve, the pin will not hold. Look for the link with a slightly larger diameter (the sleeve fits into this hole). The sleeve is very small, so do not lose it. If you have extra links, you can cannibalize this part by separating an unused link. Also get a watch band removal kit. Very little need to use a hammer.

[@michaelbarker4442]

Thanks for that I thought the pins were screws now my wife can wear her new watch on Christmas Day

[@jenniesgarage]

So happy to hear she got to wear her present. Plus you scored Santa Points for being an impromptu watchmaker. Merry Christmas!

[@heatherknight7505]

Thank you for the video! I was about to pay a jeweler for something I can do at home!

[@sgtgrantham]

I have a citizen watch full titanium band and watch. A pin broke in the non removable link. Citizen told me they only kept parts for 10-12 years and that mine was no longer repairable. But they would be glad to swap it for a new one for 50% off. The watch is 15 years old and in great shape except the band. I paid $350 for it at Service Merchandise on sale. I love this watch and citizen is telling me it is junk.

[@jenniesgarage]

Keep an eye on ebay, you might find something. If you're lucky, maybe just the band, or a good band with a broken watch for a good price. Good luck, I hope you can find something.

[@paulpsyche42]

Thanks a million! I just took out a link on my new watch, bday gift from Fiance :)

[@khurram202]

Thnx for the video, it's made my day and made my present more special. Thnx once again

[@greysunshine]

Thank you for taking the time to do this; it was very helpful.

[@jenniesgarage]

leftstriker Thanks for checking in, great to hear it worked for you.

[@carsgates3]

Thank you for sharing this. I was able to fix mine.

[@andrewcrain5461]

Even though this was 6 years ago thank you I've just recently bought a Citizens watche and it doesn't fit need to remove a link....I see the Arrows and I'm gonna take it out now again thank you

[@goldsmithaloey]

Thank you so much! You made this so easy for me. Very much appreciated!

[@jenniesgarage]

Caroline Fay great to hear that it worked for you!

[@bblazeff1]

You seriously used a framing hammer? Ha! I'm going to remove a link on my eco drive this weekend. Thanks for the upload

[@tan1380]

very informative. they charged me 30 bucks to remove 3 of those. Crazy!!!

[@jenniesgarage]

Glad you liked the video, thanks!

[@randorfja]

You sir are a hero!

[@jenniesgarage]

You are too kind. Happy the video was of some use to you.

[@danieljstark1625]

Nice! Better than Citizen's video. I only don't understand why you didn't one link on each side so the clasp would remain centered.

[@gstanden1]

So just my 2c - when reinstalling the pins, this video is wrong! The pin removal step is ok but when you put the pin back in, you just take the rounded end of the pin (the end without the split) and just slide it in, easy as pie, no "hammer" needed - my God - can you imagine working with a hammer that size on a fine jeweled watch worth thousands? No, the way to reinstall the pins is simple to slide them in with the rounded (non-split) end against the arrow direction. The pin goes in almost all of it's entire length with just our fingers. Then to do the final seating of the pin, you use the paper clip tool again, or better yet a very small a very small micro-awl (which is what I use) which seats the pin the last 1mm or so. The idea here is the the pin gets pushed in and the expanding portion at the end of the pin gets compressed into the hole as the pin is pushed in the opposite direction, and the compression of the split ends of the pin keeps the pin in place.

[@ptauerbach]

thank you, your video was very helpful, however I too realized the comment by HennyPenny8888 was correct, "when it [the pin] comes out, the flared end would come out first, but to insert it back, you need to insert the narrower smooth end first***, NOT the flared end. By inserted the flared end first, you'd destroy the link bar and make it more likely to dislodge in future. Anyone watching this video would be damaging their brand new watch!" Still your video was very helpful, thanks

[@Byfaithclothing]

Thanks alot! Saved me time and money!

[@jenniesgarage]

By Faith Clothing Glad to help out, thanks for the comment.

[@kittenmixer812]

Excited to try this!! Thank you!

[@Gibonz]

Great video. Worked like a charm!

[@jenniesgarage]

Glad it worked for you!

[@hengman14]

Thanks for the help! I was able to do this myself. I almost went and bought an eyeglass screwdriver kit, but the way you fold the paperclip works well! The most difficult part was putting the pins back in, and trying not to bend the pins with the hammer. Any other tips for that? I bent 2 pins, but I now had some spare because I took some links out. Pins are probably really cheap anyway to replace.

[@bobgoldring5834]

Thank you.....method worked perfectly!

[@panteraCFHdarell]

Yayyy thank you soo much now i cam wear watch gifted to me by my wife/gf/life partner thank you sooo much

[@jenniesgarage]

Congratulations on the nice gift! I'm glad the video was helpful for you.

[@robertturney8341]

Thanks! The Jewellery shop (Samuels) wanted to charge me £20 for altering the strap!

[@andyn6053]

+Robert Turney Yeah they are nuts. I will try this method myself and save some money.

[@trees5338]

The shop assistant removed 2 links, when I said 1 will do, so she had to put 1 back. Got to go back again as she has pushed the pin through too far and is sticking out. Called H Samuel about it, if I take to my local watch shop, it will invalidate my guarantee. Two choices, do it myself or spend 4 hours round trip to let them fix what they messed up

[@kfonseka4724]

Wonderful technique. Thanks

[@carolshucker3640]

Great instructions, but we found it easier to put the watch back together by turning the band upside down and putting the narrow end of the pin in, instead of forcing in the wide end, which is much more difficult!

[@btownmxer]

yes it Is easier but you could damage the pin because you are forcing it against the taper

[@faireladylynnea5974]

btownmxer I put the pin back in the way he said, but now it won't stay in. I think it got ruined by being shoved all the way through.

[@738polarbear]

You DO NOT force in the wide end . THAT IS COMPLETELY WRONG.

[@HD6642]

Thank you. This was very useful.

[@alessandrogualtieri7198]

Well down and explained! Kudos!

[@ashkae1]

thank you for this post! i was able to adjust my watch!!:)

[@pexpollo]

Nice job, thanks you just save me 20 bucks at the local jewelry... 👍 😀 👌

[@738polarbear]

IMPORTANT . Put pin back in EXACTLY the REVERSE way . SO lay the pin down so that you KNOW how it goes back in . The ends of the pin ARE DIFFERENT .

[@jenniesgarage]

I'm happy to help out, thanks!

[@gailhaynes2021]

Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for.

[@brentolie]

Great video. Thanks for the help.

[@justmebill1]

You don't have to remove a link from each side so the clasp is centered ?

[@Bengir99]

thank you for the video. Very helpful.

[@cryptozoo765]

Thank you thank you thank you. Well done.