If you need to make your metal watch band a little longer, but you don�t have any
links to add to it, you can always try adding a buckle extender.
Use this guide from Esslinger-dot-com to learn how to install an arthritic style buckle extender
to your tri-fold clasp today.
You should use an arthritic buckle extender like this one when you need to expand the
open length of your watch band to allow it to easily slide over your hand and ensure
it still fits comfortably around your wrist.
You will need: A digital gauge
A spring bar tool A pin pusher
A ball peen hammer A watch band holder
A parts tray An extra spring bar
And an arthritic buckle extender
Before you can add a buckle extender, you must first disconnect one side of the clasp
from the watch band.
The extender will generally attach to the side of the clasp opposite from where it latches
closed.
Take the pointed end of your spring bar tool and insert it into the hole in the top of
the clasp where the end of the spring bar is held in place.
Press down on the spring bar with your tool until it is out of hole and then push it out
from under the clasp.
Be aware: you might accidentally fling the spring bar across the room here if you are
not careful.
Grab the loose spring bar and place it in your parts tray.
Let the band a clasp fall apart.
Now you need to make sure you order the correct size buckle extender to fit your watch band
and clasp.
Take your digital gauge and line the backward opening jaws up inside the clasp.
Use that inside measurement you found to order a new buckle extender.
Its outside diameter should be the same as the inside diameter of the existing clasp.
Be sure to order an extender that matches the color of your watch band and clasp.
The arthritic extender will have one end with a solid tube and the opposite end will have
two small tubes at each side of the end.
Start by taking the end with two separated tubes and fitting them on either side of loose
end of the watch band like this.
Holding the extender and the band together with one hand, take your friction pin and
insert it into the hole that should now pass through one tube of the clasp and into the
watch band.
Take your pin pusher and align it with the free end of the friction pin.
Then, using your ball peen hammer, tap on the pusher to set the friction pin into place.
When the pin is flush with the watch band you�ll know it is securely in place.
After you have attached the extender to the free end of the watch band you can remove
it from the watch band holder and put the watch band back together by attaching the
loose end of the extender to the loose end of the watch band clasp.
Take the extra spring bar you have, or reuse the spring bar that you removed from the clasp
earlier if it is in good shape, and insert it into the solid tube end of the buckle extender.
Insert the tube and spring bar into the free end of the watch band clasp.
Align the bottom end of the spring bar with the bottom hole in the free end of the watch
band clasp.
Then take your spring bar tool and use the forked end to press the free end of the spring
bar down and slide it and the extender completely into clasp.
Once the extender is attached to the clasp and your watch band is securely back together,
you can continue wearing your watch again.
To learn more about watch band repair, check out Esslinger-dot-com�s Youtube channel
today.