Wearing a smartwatch too loose for your wrist is annoying. Typically, most smartwatches come with a leather or silicone watch strap. But companies like Fossil manage to offer metal watch straps with leather and silicone.
Like leather or silicone, metal straps don’t have a dozen locking holes.
For that, many people complain about their watch being dangling on their wrist. So here I have come up with a working solution on removing links from fossil watches.
Also, this fix is compatible with any smartwatch or analog watch that has a metal strap or link strap.
This fix includes two methods one is without using any special tools. And the other way is to use proper tools (recommended).
I would suggest looking at both ways and then decide which one to choose. But I will recommend using a proper set of tools as it is much easier and more secure for your watch.
Disclaimer: Before starting, please read the steps carefully to avoid making any mistakes. (Highly Recommended)
Remove Links From Fossil Smartwatch (Without Tools)
Step 1: Get Required Tools for the Process
Honestly, you cannot adjust your watch strap without these tools. I agree, I have mentioned above that no special tools are required. But these tools are not specialized; needle-nose pliers and paper clips (ideally medium-sized) are commonly used in our home.
Why use a medium-sized paper clip? Because a medium-sized paper clip fits perfectly into the hole of the straps.
For demonstrating, I am using Sea Striker Needle-nose Plier and these Medium Size Paper Clips.
Also, you should have a foam or semi-soft base, this is to protect your watch from getting damaged.
Step 2: Cut the Paper Pin and Place in the Slot
After you have decided how many links need to remove from the strap to get the right fit. Now you have to look for an arrow mark on the straps, which indicates the side of the strap you need to punch the pin.
Now cut that paper clip about half an inch to get that pin out of the hole. And then hold that cut piece and put it in the right slot.
Step 3: Push Out the Pin From the Watch Strap
Before proceeding further make sure, you are using the foam as a base.
Now pick up your needle-nose pliers and give some knocks to the paper pin with the flat side of the needle-nose pliers.
After that, you can notice the pin coming out of the link. Use your needle-nose pliers to pull out the pin carefully without causing any damage.
Step 4: Remove the Pin & Reattach the Strap to Clap
And it’s done. Repeat the process to remove the pin from the other side of the link. Keep repeating this process until the watch fits you perfectly.
After you’ve removed the desired number of links, it’s time to reattach the watch strap to the clasp.
How to reattach the watch strap to clap? It’s easy, pop the pin connecting both ends of the watch strap and then place the watch, but this time keep the arrow pointing up and give a few taps gently with the flat side of the needle-nose pliers.
Remove Links From Fossil Smartwatch (With Proper Tools)
Step 1: Pick the Right Tools for the Process
This step is essential.
As illustrated earlier, you can adjust the straps with a paper pin and a needle-nose plier. However, it’s not what I recommend because this can mess up your watch.
I suggest buying proper tools for adjusting your watch strap. Also, using these tools makes the process much easier and more secure.
The kit isn’t costly; I am using EFIXTK Watch Band Repair Kit to demonstrate here. It includes 24 different tools which are helpful in different situations.
If looking for a small kit, you can go for SE Watch Band Link Remover, it gets the job done. Inside this kit, you’ll find some pin punches, a tool to secure your watch strap, and a little dual head hammer.
Other than this, all you need is needle-nose pliers. It’s good to have one because sometimes the pins get stuck halfway, and you need a grip to get it out.
For that, I recommend using Sea Striker P6 Needlenose Plier.
Step 2: Look for the Arrow Mark Under the Strap
After deciding the number of links that need to be removed from the watch to get the right fit, it’s time to remove them.
For that, turn the watch over and look for the arrow. The arrow indicates the direction to push to get the pinout.
Because the pins are typically pinned one way, the head is larger at one end and smaller at the other.
Step 3: Fit the Watch Strap Inside the Watch Tool
Now, fit the watch strap into any one of the crevices of the watch band holder. Make sure the direction is correct by looking at the arrows.
Plus, check if the pin and hole are in the accurate position so that the pin rolls down to the tool.
Step 4: Take the Pin Out From Straps
After that, pick all the pin punches that come with the kit and check one by one which pin punches fit perfectly in that slot. After you find the one, either push it with your hand or take a hammer and give it a couple of gentle knocks.
Once the pin is out, grab the needle-nose pliers and try pulling the entire pin out securely without bending it.
Now repeat the whole process on the other side of the link to remove it entirely.
Step 5: Attach the Strap Back to the Clasp
Once removing the unnecessary links, now it’s time to attach the strap back to the clasp. Take the pin and pop it in by joining both the end of the strap.
Then, place the watch strap into crevices of the watch band holder, but this time arrow facing upwards.
Next, take the hammer and give it a couple of gentle knocks, but this time use the nylon end to avoid any damage.
Step 6: It’s Done!
After a lot of effort, finally, it’s done.
Now you can wear your Fossil smartwatch and check if the adjustments you made are correct. If not, repeat the process according to your measurements.
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