There are no arrows, no obvious pins, no pin latches. This band is different than all of the ones I've ever sized. Does anyone know how to remove links from this band?
Edit: user Septimaeus was correct in that it was a fixed link band. The link they provided helped in understanding what is requires to resize, and the band now fits my wrist like it was made for it. Thanks!!
Fixed links are often machine-pressed w/ splined pins. Not designed for easy removal, however they can be removed by disassembly using basic tools and some force.
Disclaimer: while I would encourage you to use this as a learning opportunity if this is an inexpensive homage piece (that band looks like the one used on a number of older model Invicta submariner styles, for example) if it’s expensive or an heirloom, you might instead replace the band to keep the original intact. A lot of watch nerds do that anyway because the variety is fun.
Shoot. That's what I was afraid of. It's a Geneva brand. I found it at a thrift store, and thought it looked neat. I don't actually know the true value.
It looks nice! If it also keeps the time, I’d say it’s a good find. (If by true value you mean resale estimate, about $10-15.)
It’s a good watch to tinker with, if you’d like to try. If your tools are limited or that’s too much hassle, many stylish and inexpensive replacement bands can be found online, even ones that look like the original. I’ll put brief instructions for that below.
If you’d like to replace the band, you can measure the lug width (e.g. 20mm) to find one that’s compatible. When you’re ready to swap the bands, you will find little spring bars beneath the lug joint covers.
If it’s difficult to reach the spring bars through the gaps, you can loosen each cover by slightly bending the two tensioner arms on the underside of the watch.
There are little notches on each side of the spring bar that you can catch with a small tool/knife/fingernail and compress, letting each side of the bracelet free.
Installation of the new band is the reverse but usually easier, especially if your new bracelet style doesn’t use a shroud over the lugs.
Then you’re done!
(Also, if you want to put the joint shrouds back at some point, just remember to pinch the tensioner arms a bit before reinstalling, otherwise they will be noisy when you move your hand.)
Hey there, I just wanted to say I completely agree with Septimaeus because I have a watch with the same style of bracelet (for any watch people reading this, It's the Casio AE-1200 or the Casio Royale in Stainless Steel). The secret is to get some sort of tool in there and use some force. As you can see from the side, there is a sort of bracket inside each end link that holds the middle links and the entire bracelet together. It's quite an interesting system. If you want to look it up online, I believe these are known as folded link bracelets.
Just take it to a watch shop...