How to Resize a Citizen Watch Band

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Watch image by Corneliu C from Fotolia.com

Citizen watch bands are composed of metal links. To make the band smaller or larger, these metal links can be added or removed from the watch. If you attempt to adjust the watch yourself, Citizen recommends using a CIT-SZTOOL, a special tool custom made for adjusting Citizen watches, as well as a few common tools.

Removing Links on a Pin and Center Link Locking Tube Watchband

Place your watchband in the CIT-SZTOOL with the back side up.

Make sure that the arrows on the band are pointing away from you. If there are no arrows on the back of the band, the pin can be removed from either side.

Align the pin hole with the Citizen tool sizing pin, a component of the CIT-SZTOOL.

Apply gentle pressure to the pin, pushing it out as far as the CIT-SZTOOL allows.

Using a straight motion, pull the rest of the pin completely out with the pliers. The links will separate.

Inspect the watchband to see a locking tube located at the center.

Using the tweezers or a pin pusher, carefully push out this locking tube.

Set the pin and locking tube aside: you will need them for connecting links.

Adding Links on a Pin and Center Link Locking Tube Watchband

Using the tweezers, insert a locking tube into the center of the watchband link.

Place another link so that its pin hole aligns with the first link’s pin hole.

Tightly hold the two links together with your fingers.

Insert the pin into the pin hole, and push it in with a finger as far as you can. There will still be a small portion of the pin sticking out.

Turn the band on its side, continuing to hold the links together.

Use the jeweler’s mallet to tap the rest of the pin into the hole.

Removing Links on a Split Pin Wristband

Place watchband in the CIT-SZTOOL with the back side up.

Make sure that the arrows on the band are pointing away from you. If there are no arrows on the back of the band, the pin can be removed from either side.

Align the pin hole with the Citizen tool sizing pin.

Apply gentle pressure to the pin, pushing it out as far as the CIT-SZTOOL allows.

Using a straight motion, pull the rest of the pin completely out with your fingers or a pair of pliers. The links will separate.

Set the pin and aside: you will need it for connecting links.

Adding Links on a Split Pin Wristband

Place two links together so that their pin holes are in alignment.

Insert the connecting pin into the pin hole small end first, in the opposite direction of the arrows on the back of the watchband.

Use the tweezers to push the pin back into the watchband hole so that the end of the pin is slightly lower than the hole’s opening.