How can I remove this jubilee bracelet?

[PaulB81]

Hi Guys

My new watch arrived today, I chose it after some advice on here so thanks for that. I dont much like the bracelet so bought a nato strap to go on it instead. However, its not obvious how to remove the jubilee type bracelet its on

See below pics (excuse the crappy iphone snaps)



and



I was hoping to be able to tap a few pins out and job done but apparently not..

Any ideas? My googling failed.

[Hoofy]

Use a very small screwdriver to get in between the end-pieces on the underside. The bar holding the bracelet in place is a springbar.



Get the screwdriver into the groove towards the end and push towards the body of the springbar (which contains two springs pushing outwards).

[PaulB81]

How much force should I need to apply? I have a springbar tool I bought as part of a cheapy watch resizing kit with this job in mind. Also there is a piece of metal sort of in the way, not sure if I should just be bending this out of the way? Should I be able to do this at either end of the spring bar?

[Hoofy]

Oh, hang on. You've got those stupid Seiko spring bars.



It's still possible as it all goes into the main length.

[PaulB81]

Its quite hard to see but they do look like those ones above.

Do I need to do something special to remove those? Hope its possible as I dont like the band and bought it specifically with changing it in mind :/

Edited by PaulB81 on Friday 27th January 18:09

[Hoofy]

It's not impossible to do, just a little more tricky. I pushed a tip into the tiny gap between the watch lug and the main body of the spring bar. I then used friction to slide the end of the spring bar into the body of the spring bar, and with my third hand, pulled the bracelet away from the watch without much resistance.

WARNING: There's a chance you can scratch the watch case. There's an outside chance you could stab yourself in the face.

Good luck!

[anonymous-user]

Either a knife blade (doesn't need to be sharp) or preferably a strap removal tool like this:



You need to prize the spring bar pins from their holes in the case:



Like this:



You may have to use a bit of force, and swearing like a sailor is inevitable, oh,, and you'll probably have to retrieve the pin from behind a piece of furniture when you're putting it back in and it recoils out across the room. Good luck.

[anonymous-user]

Oh, and if you don't like the NATO (I didn't on an SKX007) then these replacement metal bracelets come highly recommended, especially the one with the solid end links:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f281/review-william-j...

[Hoofy]

Mac. said:

and you'll probably have to retrieve the pin from behind a piece of furniture when you're putting it back in and it recoils out across the room. Good luck.

You, too, huh?

[Big_Dog]

I can recommend sitting/standing in the shower, door closed and something over the plug hole whilst messing with anything involving springs.

[Hoofy]

Big_Dog said:

I can recommend sitting/standing in the shower, door closed and something over the plug hole whilst messing with anything involving springs.

Naked being optional?

[GC8]

Lumpys are pretty dire on SKXs, especially when theyre old and stretched as yours appears to be.

Id suggest buying a Super Oyster for about £35 - itll transform the watch.

[PaulB81]

I gave up!! My GF works in a jewellers once a month so shes going to take it in and get them to sort it. Cheating I know!!

[bry1975]

DUDE,

A few tricks a thin stanley blade is perfect at removing those springbars just be careful you don't cut yourself,

ANOTHER trick if you aren't bothered about the bracelet a quick twist with a pair of pliers will easily break the springbars, I know as have used this trick a few times,

Some guys use a divider/compass like tool I've never bothered with that trick.

Bry

[Hoofy]

Shame you're not closer or I'd happily do it for you. It's a 30 second job. And that includes taking my socks off.

[checkmate91]

is that a 7 or a 13? No bother, the orig seiko rubber straps work well with them (22 or 20mm). What actually do you not like about the strap, I've worn it on both the 7 and the 13 and it's fine...

[XG332]

Hoofy said:

Shame you're not closer or I'd happily do it for you. It's a 30 second job. And that includes taking my socks off.

Do you always work on your watches bare foot?

[Justayellowbadge]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/eSecure-Piece-Watch-Repair...

A fiver gets you all the kit you need to start. Not the best quality, but very usable.