A critical video for anybody that intends to shorten their band themselves. The tiny split pipes are absolutely essential - they provide the friction that holds the pins in place. They also hide themselves easily in carpet, or anywhere else, if you drop them.
Thanks for this. My late dad's watch appears to have tiny straight-bladed screws on one side of the removable link pins, which led me to think I'd need the world's tiniest watchmaker's screwdrivers - or a tripto a jeweller... But armed with your video, some strong wire and a 'persuader' (aka hammer), I was able to carefully drift the pins out and resize the bracelet so that my son can wear his Grandad's watch to the upcoming funeral. Your help is much appreciated
Excellent video. My frustration lead me here and 10 minutes later I can enjoy wearing my watch with a new confidence about the security of the strap having removed a couple of links. Thank you.
God bless you! I just encountered my first bracelet with pins and split pipe assembly and was completely baffled by those little silver thing-a-ma-jigger that fell out when I removed a link. Now I'm glad I saved them cuz the pin will just fall out if it's replaced without it. I'm curious though ... how old would these be? I would think that the split pin and collar would be a step-up from the pin and split pipe set-up? Anyhow, thanks! I would have been stumped if not for you video.
This video was a little misleading because it indicates that the split pipe goes back into the centre portion. For my watch it definitely did not! I spent a futile time trying to get the split pipe into the centre portion without success. Trying to manage the split pipe with tweezers and dropping it onto the carpet raised my frustration levels! The light bulb moment for me was when I noticed that the hole on one of the outer portions was larger than the other. This was where the split pipe went and I was able to easily get it in with my finger nails rather than tweezers. The next bit you have to remember is to go against the arrow when putting the pin back in. You will meet resistance when the pin reaches the split pipe - you can press the pin in completely by pressing a coin against the remainder of the exposed pin. Now I can wear my watch without pins falling out. Happy days!
A Life saver that , thought my titanium bracelet from my Attesa Jounetsu CB3016-51Z was a wreck, still lost a small pin but it's from a removed link. Thank you
The crucial bit for this brand: the split or locking pipe. Not seen this before (and could hardly see it anyway, even with glasses). Without this tiny widget the pins keep falling out.
Followed the instructions to the letter in this video, and it won't work. Pins slide right back out. Have the right amount of links removed, but cannot put the bracelet back together. I always disliked the pin and collar system, but was able to put two Seiko bracelets back together and one Citizen. But this Citizen Titanium just will NOT go. Can't tell you how frustrated I am.
