Sometimes your watch band clasp will wear out before your mesh watch band does.
If you don�t want to replace your whole watch band, or you can�t because of its
unique design, you can always just replace the clasp itself.
Use this guide to learn how to change fold over style watch band clasps for mesh watch
bands.
How will you recognize a fold over clasp for mesh watch bands?
Look at the clasp, it should have two solid end caps that appear to grip the watch band.
It will also have a clasp in between that folds over on itself like a center catch clasp.
You�ll need: A spring bar tool
A digital gauge A jeweler�s ball peen hammer
And a notepad and pen
The first step is to remove the old clasp.
Start by opening the clasp so that you can lay the watch face down and can easily access
the points inside the band where it attaches to the clasp.
Then, hold the watch band so one end of the clasp is facing toward you and you can see
the small opening in the end piece.
Insert your spring bar tool into the gap in the clasp end piece and pry the it open.
Once the end piece pops free, you can set your spring bar tool aside and lift it all
the way open.
Then slide it off the end of your mesh watch band.
Set the end piece aside if you can, otherwise, if the clasp is connected together by a security
chain, just let the first end piece hang from the other end.
Turn the watch band around so you can see the gap in the remaining attached end piece.
Take your spring bar tool again and insert the end into gap of the end piece.
Pry the cover open to release the grip on the watch band.
Again, once the cover has popped open, lift it all the way up and slide it off of the
watch band.
Set the old watch clasp aside and lay the watch band out so you can use your digital
gauge to measure the width of the band to order a new watch clasp.
Position the jaws of your digital gauge on either side of watch band at the loose end
where you intend to place the new clasp.
Close the jaws until they rest securely on either side of the watch band.
Repeat the measurement twice to verify your results before recording the measurement.
Then, using that measurement, order the correct size and color replacement watchband clasp
at Esslinger-dot-com.
When you have your new clasp, you are ready to attach it to your band.
Start by taking your new clasp and opening it so both sides are only attached by the
safety chain.
If you are working with a Gents clasp, larger than eight millimeters, it will most likely
not have a safety chain and you can just set one side of the clasp aside for later.
Take your watch band and determine which side you want the clasping mechanism to be on.
Traditionally, the clasping portion is attached to the six-o�clock part of the watch band
to be easier to latch, however you can attach it to whichever side is most convenient for
you.
Hold the watch band so that watch face is facing up.
Starting with the end piece attached to the tongue, or clasping side of the watch clasp,
open the end piece cover.
Grab the tongue end of the clasp and hold it so that the gripping cover of the end piece
is hanging down and there is an opening between the two parts of the end piece.
Insert the loose end of the watch band into the opening in the end piece and turn both
pieces over so that you can see the inside of the clasp.
Push the end of the band into the end piece until it cannot go in any farther.
When you are satisfied with the position of the watch band in the end piece, you can set
the watch band down and close the cover piece.
This will cause the teeth at the opening to grip the band, keeping it from coming unattached
from the clasp.
Since these end pieces grip the band securely, you most likely will not be able to push the
cover completely closed with your fingers alone.
Take your small ball peen hammer and pound steadily, but gently, on the latch to push
the cover completely closed.
After you hear it click into place around the band, you can set your ball peen hammer
aside.
Next, take the remaining loose end piece of the new clasp and open the cover portion like
you did before.
Before you start to connect the end piece and band together, make sure that the end
piece is in the same position as the other one and check to see that the safety chain
is not twisted or tangled.
Hold the loose end piece up so that the open cover piece is hanging down and the opening
is visible.
Lift the loose end of the watchband to the loose end piece, inserting it into the opening.
Be sure that the outside of the watch band is facing up, the same way the clasp is.
Once the band is inside the end piece, turn the watch over so that you can see the inside
of the clasp.
Then, insert the watch band as far into the end piece as possible, like you did before.
Lay the band down on your workspace and close the end piece cover.
Use your ball peen hammer to gently tap the cover down into place.
Keep applying pressure until you hear the cover click into place.
When the cover has been completely closed, you can set your tools aside and continue
wearing your watch again.
For other handy watch band repairs, or to learn how to change a different type of watch
band clasp, check out Esslinger-dot-com�s YouTube channel today!