Since losing a fair amount of weight, I had to have all of my watch bracelets adjusted. The Omega Boutique adjusted all of my modern Omega bracelets, and the others I was able to adjust the pins at the clasp to get a better fit. However, my 1035 bracelet was still not fitting, so I decided to just wear it on the JB Champion and deal with it at a later date. The later date was today. You will want to remove the bracelet from the watch. You will also need to fold the links back so that you can slide the little metal plate that is holding the two links together. You will need to slide the little metal part. Push gentle and do not force. It will go in either direction. I needed to use my strap changing tool to get enough pressure to move the metal part. It was caked in there with dirt and whatever else you can see in the pictures. In my case, I ended up removing two links. The most difficult part was putting the bracelet links back together. At times it felt like I was going to have to go to the watchmaker to get this attached back together (which would be okay today because I hope to pick up my -71 today from service). I found that the little metal part will not slide on when the bracelet links are folded back in the same position as when I removed the little metal part. So I placed the bracelet in my hand and applied pressure to the back to links and folded them back slightly so that there was enough room to slide in the little metal part. It took me about 15 minutes to complete this task. I was able to get info from this website, and it was very helpful in getting the bracelet apart, but lacked details on getting it back together. The pictures are very good, so take a look. http://www.old-omegas.com/bracadd.html
Before getting lost on the details of sizing a bracelet, may I say congrats on losing weight. It's not easy and it's a big accomplishment!
Thanks for doing this...I had used the old website instructions. Easy once you get over the fear that you may screw it up...even though you won't.
Great thread! The reassembly is a little easier if you do it in the folded position, as it was when you took it apart. I usually push a little thin plastic or wood wedge between the links where I drew an arrow, it makes it easier to slide the cover on
@toddle321 Thanks!! By using toothpicks on each side, it took literally seconds to add the little metal cover.
I wish I’d have had these instructions when I did mine .... stabbed myself in the hand multiple times.
Oh man, I could have done with this a couple of weeks ago! I can see that I did just about everything wrong now. It was no wonder I was punching and cursing the air in frustration. Great Post!!
Great post I knew about the old-omegas link, but could've used the toothpick tip when I added links to one of mine a year or two ago - like you, I thought I'd have to bring it to my watchmaker with a sheepish look when I had trouble putting it back together
Funny. Folks are getting healthy and losing weight and I'm getting phat. Fat. I just purchased 2 links for my 1039, from an OF member, and every time I put enough pressure on the bracelet to "flatten" it out, I stop. Just looks like too much pressure on the band. Makes me afraid I'm going to do irreparable damage. Glad to see this post. I know it can be done, just need to man up. BTW, even if I accomplish this task, pretty sure I'll wear the watch on new leather. Just want to get the 1039 back to spec.
I just used the "toothpick" method to remove a link from my 1039, and it was crazy fast! Thanks for the timely post, and congrats on your weight loss.
No charge, just send me your bracelet with watch attached and I will resize and send it back. I can adjust any Speedmaster bracelet. And while I did not mention in the earlier post, I can also adjust Patek, AP, A Lange, Blancpain FF only, and FP Journe. You can send them to San Diego, CA. Depending on the bracelet, turn around time is 4-12 weeks.
This thread scored me points with the in-laws over the Thanksgiving weekend! I was showing my 1035 to my father-in-law over the weekend and I felt like a real pro when he asked how I'd make it smaller to fit my wrist and I was able to show him the connectors. Thanks @Taddyangle
