Has anyone ever had a near impossible time removing the pin and collar from an Omega bracelet?

502 to right · Feb 21, 2026

A few years ago I bought a 2254.50 Peter Blake SMP. This is the SMP with a Speedy style bracelet, which for the SMP is model 1610/930.

Two of the pins were near impossible to remove. One was one of the connecting links to the clasp and a normal link that was attached to the connecting link. For the life of me I cannot remove the two pins in question. At first I thought they must be epoxy glued in place so I put that part of the bracelet in boiling water for several minutes. No luck. Then I used a torch to break the glue (or suspected glue), just like I would on a golf club with a steel shaft. No luck.

Then I tried pounding the pins out with the working end of pin pusher and a jewelers hammer. After 15 minutes of tapping and banging away, I got one of the pins to move about 5mm. But that was it for that pin. The other pin I got pushed to the other side of the links (which allowed me to remove the adjoining link) but I could not get the rest of the pin out and it broke off. If they moved at all it must not be epoxy glue that doing it. Is it possible someone used pins that were too large? But if so, how did they get them in?

My next steps is to try to drill them out. Drill bits arrive tomorrow. The worst case is that I throw these out and have my Omega watchmaker order replacements. But I'd like to save the $100+.

Has anyone had this problem before? Any advice?

Here's the nasty offenders:

Dan S · Feb 21, 2026

I haven't had that problem personally, but lots can happen over time, who knows what kind of abuse that bracelet has been subjected to - even before you got your hands on it. ;-)

Drilling out the pins is a good idea, IMO. Be patient, use a good bit and some lubricant, and hopefully things will go well.

502 to right · Feb 22, 2026

Drill bits were too small and fragile to do the job. I think I'll just order replacement links. Thankfully it's only two.

Jakeys · Feb 22, 2026

Yes, my Railmaster had a pin that was slightly thicker than standard and the tools I had weren't capable of removing it. I ended up having to take it to my watchmaker and he sorted it out with a vice. That link is however very subtly bent now, but not enough to be noticeable on wrist so I haven't bothered replacing it. Omega didn't notice it at service because it obviously wasn't loose!

JimInOz · Feb 22, 2026

Tube pins can become so worn and distorted that removing them can be difficult.
The sections of each link can create "steps" in the pin, either from stress or wear, these end up binding against the end of the tube or against the next section of link.
I have had success by doing a heavy ultrasonic followed by heat and lubrication. Then a punch and hammer.
The larger section of link is held vertically in a vice with soft jaws and the free link is wiggled between hammer strokes. You really need three hands to do it that way, so a helper is often recruited.

One of the pins I kept as an example.

502 to right · Feb 22, 2026

JimInOz
Tube pins can become so worn and distorted that removing them can be difficult.
The sections of each link can create "steps" in the pin, either from stress or wear, these end up binding against the end of the tube or against the next section of link.
I have had success by doing a heavy ultrasonic followed by heat and lubrication. Then a punch and hammer.
The larger section of link is held vertically in a vice with soft jaws and the free link is wiggled between hammer strokes. You really need three hands to do it that way, so a helper is often recruited.

One of the pins I kept as an example.

Interesting. Perhaps that's what my issue is. Thankfully only two links are affected.