Community Stories

Am I at the mercy of an OB for bracelet sizing? 1575/899

BradleyJ.
Posts
1,023
Likes
1,018
I just received my 36mm railmaster and I couldn't be happier but it needs either a full or a half link removed to fit properly. Unlike the speedy pro I have which was pretty straight forward on sizing, I can't find any info on how to size this style with the pin and barrel design.

Do I need to go to a boutique or buy a pin pusher tool? (I have no clue what the tool would be called) I see the arrow or direction marker on the bracelet so I assume, like other non omega watches I own, that's the direction the pin needs to be pushed. However unlike my cheaper watches I don't want to trial and error this journey Haha.

Any info would be awesome and if I need a specific tool I welcome suggestions on that as well.
 
20190201_094641.jpg 20190201_094611.jpg 20190201_094536.jpg
blufinz52
Posts
3,173
Likes
8,341
It can be done yourself with a few tools, like a small hammer. Google it and you should find a few good videos on the subject.
 
Meme-Dweller
Posts
2,245
Likes
3,473
If you've never sized a pin+collar type bracelet before, there's a good chance it's going to get damaged on your first go. Just bring it to the OB to get it sized for free.

That being said, it's pretty simple after you've gone through sizing a couple Seiko beaters. All you need is a pin, a hammer, and BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG you're done.
 
BradleyJ.
Posts
1,023
Likes
1,018
Thanks for the replys. If it can be done with pin and hammer then I'll just have the boutique do it and while I'm there I'll ask what tool they use so I can order one. I was hoping there was some trick I wasnt seeing since the speedy bracelet was such a breeze to size.
 
Au79
Posts
376
Likes
3,073
Meme-Dweller Meme-Dweller
If you've never sized a pin+collar type bracelet before, there's a good chance it's going to get damaged on your first go. Just bring it to the OB to get it sized for free.

That being said, it's pretty simple after you've gone through sizing a couple Seiko beaters. All you need is a pin, a hammer, and BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG you're done.

Agreed. If you never done a sizing on a push pin type bracelet, it will get frustrating and you will most likely bend or damage a pin. I say try it on another less valuable watch if you have one or just take an afternoon and go to the AD or OB.
 
Hunter87
Posts
67
Likes
39
Meme-Dweller Meme-Dweller
If you've never sized a pin+collar type bracelet before, there's a good chance it's going to get damaged on your first go. Just bring it to the OB to get it sized for free.

That being said, it's pretty simple after you've gone through sizing a couple Seiko beaters. All you need is a pin, a hammer, and BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG you're done.
Why risk it.
 
Donn Chambers
Posts
2,543
Likes
3,401
Au79 Au79
Agreed. If you never done a sizing on a push pin type bracelet, it will get frustrating and you will most likely bend or damage a pin. I say try it on another less valuable watch if you have one or just take an afternoon and go to the AD or OB.

+1 on this. Even if you think you have experience with the push pin links on other bracelets (like on Seikos), these aren’t the same. Trust me.

If you don’t have a do-it-yourself personality with a temperament to take absolute failures as a learning experience — plus are willing to spend the equivalent of two bottles of good bourbon on the proper equipment — take it to a dealer or OB and let them do it.

Or replace the bracelet with a strap.
 
hungdangnguyen23
Posts
216
Likes
347
Go to a jeweler (not one of those kiosks in the mall) or a watchmaker. It would be a shame if you butcher the bracelet/watch case, which is a significant possibility if you've never sized a bracelet before.
 
Hunter87
Posts
67
Likes
39
My OD sized the watch and it wouldn’t fit it was either too loose or two tight as I have previously said. More importantly I’ve just found several flaws with reflective dust particles under the Crystal and some dial markers that haven’t fully been printed on the dial so now I need to take it back to get sorted in the morning.
 
R
Posts
55
Likes
90
+1 for going to the OB. But then again, I'll look for any reason I can come up with to go to an OB.😉
 
MRC
Posts
3,428
Likes
8,620
Hunter87 Hunter87
Why risk it.
It's not your watch until you have personalised it! Like this:

bitmapfff.jpg


Who knows what further damage I'll do in the next 40-something years of wearing it.

But it still looks great on the wrist 😜 😉
 
BradleyJ.
Posts
1,023
Likes
1,018
I went to an AD and they took care of it. I also ordered the pin tool so I can fine tune it myself. Took out a half link and it was still way too loose so he put it back in and took out a full and it fits good but I feel like it might be too loose still. It will probably be perfect in the summer but little loose now.

My initial question was really the process. Can I use the reverse side of my spring bar tool (the pin end) and just push it out by hand or would a tool be necessary. I know now it's in there good so I just ordered a simple pusher. As a machisnt I work with stuff like this day in and day out but when theres no instructions (looked everywhere online but nothing for this type of omega bracelet) I'm a little more hesitant when I cant just scrap the part I'm working on and start over Haha. Oh and a hammer was never an option, I dont even do that to my Tissots or even my Seikos lol. This watch took me a while to find and the condition its absolutely flawless.... borderline brand new so I'm just being over cautious.
 
BradleyJ.
Posts
1,023
Likes
1,018
MRC MRC
It's not your watch until you have personalised it! Like this:

bitmapfff.jpg


Who knows what further damage I'll do in the next 40-something years of wearing it.

But it still looks great on the wrist 😜 😉
I guess none of my watches are mine yet 😁😁😁
 
MRC
Posts
3,428
Likes
8,620
BradleyJ. BradleyJ.
I guess none of my watches are mine yet 😁😁😁

BradleyJ. BradleyJ.
As a machisnt I work with stuff like this day in and day out

Just wear it next time you're operating a lathe and hope the bracelet breaks fast. That'll give it some scars.

And I hope not you.

[Ex-machinist here. No, please don't try it.]
 
Meme-Dweller
Posts
2,245
Likes
3,473
BradleyJ. BradleyJ.
I went to an AD and they took care of it. I also ordered the pin tool so I can fine tune it myself. Took out a half link and it was still way too loose so he put it back in and took out a full and it fits good but I feel like it might be too loose still. It will probably be perfect in the summer but little loose now.

My initial question was really the process. Can I use the reverse side of my spring bar tool (the pin end) and just push it out by hand or would a tool be necessary. I know now it's in there good so I just ordered a simple pusher. As a machisnt I work with stuff like this day in and day out but when theres no instructions (looked everywhere online but nothing for this type of omega bracelet) I'm a little more hesitant when I cant just scrap the part I'm working on and start over Haha. Oh and a hammer was never an option, I dont even do that to my Tissots or even my Seikos lol. This watch took me a while to find and the condition its absolutely flawless.... borderline brand new so I'm just being over cautious.

Sounds like you need 2 half links. Interesting fact, 2 half links do NOT equal 1 full link. It's actually a little longer.

Not sure what spring bar tool you're referring to without a picture, but I think you're talking about the one with like a forked end for the spring bar and a regular round tip at the other end. If so, (1) the pin of the tool is not going to be long enough as it needs to go fully beyond the center link which is where the collar sits, and (2) it's near impossible to push it out like that unless the collar is worn.
 
BradleyJ.
Posts
1,023
Likes
1,018
MRC MRC
Just wear it next time you're operating a lathe and hope the bracelet breaks fast. That'll give it some scars.

And I hope not you.

[Ex-machinist here. No, please don't try it.]
I worked with a guy who had lost a finger from his wedding band getting caught in a lathe. That was before he started with me, so he wore his band on the other hand. Well that got caught as well, this time while working at my shop. Luckily he didn't lose that finger but hopefully he finally learned his lesson.
 
BradleyJ.
Posts
1,023
Likes
1,018
Meme-Dweller Meme-Dweller
Sounds like you need 2 half links. Interesting fact, 2 half links do NOT equal 1 full link. It's actually a little longer.
I actually did read that in my search for how this bracelet is sized. Once I receive the tool and try messing around with link configurations I'll consider grabbing another half link if needed.
 
Donn Chambers
Posts
2,543
Likes
3,401
BradleyJ. BradleyJ.
My initial question was really the process. Can I use the reverse side of my spring bar tool (the pin end) and just push it out by hand or would a tool be necessary. I know now it's in there good so I just ordered a simple pusher..

If that simple pusher is one of those blue plastic ones you see for sell on Amazon, it won’t work that well either. The pins are in there REALLY tight (because of friction collars internal to the bracelet). I found the best way to remove the pins was with a small mallet, a strudy pin pusher, and a plastic bracelet holder. Those cheap kits you find on Amazon aren’t worth the money — the pins on the pushers break or bend because they aren’t high quality metal. I went through a few of the cheap Amazon kits back in the day before finally ponying up the money for a Bergeon kit I ordered through Otto Frei. It wasn’t cheap - I think it was $75 10 years ago, but it works perfectly.
 
BradleyJ.
Posts
1,023
Likes
1,018
Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
If that simple pusher is one of those blue plastic ones you see for sell on Amazon, it won’t work that well either.

I got one of those years ago. It came free with an equally crappy watch strap and it lasted all of one bracelet sizing Haha
 
Au79
Posts
376
Likes
3,073
Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
If that simple pusher is one of those blue plastic ones you see for sell on Amazon, it won’t work that well either. The pins are in there REALLY tight (because of friction collars internal to the bracelet). I found the best way to remove the pins was with a small mallet, a strudy pin pusher, and a plastic bracelet holder. Those cheap kits you find on Amazon aren’t worth the money — the pins on the pushers break or bend because they aren’t high quality metal. I went through a few of the cheap Amazon kits back in the day before finally ponying up the money for a Bergeon kit I ordered through Otto Frei. It wasn’t cheap - I think it was $75 10 years ago, but it works perfectly.

Agreed. It is more of gently hammering the pin out than pushing it out. I've tried many cheap push pin contraptions as well and found those don't work. You need a high guality set of tools for a high quality watch.
 
8 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

D

New to Omega world. Looking for a Lollipop sweeping hand for my 2998-2. Am I at the right place?

Dupontbuff Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
earth38
earth38
Posts
13
Views
3K