So, I’ve got this Fossil watch I really like. Had it for a while. The original strap, some kind of leather thing, started looking pretty worn out, you know how they get. I figured, time for a change, maybe something tougher. Decided a metal strap would be the way to go. Looked classier, probably last longer too.
Went online and found a metal strap that seemed like it would fit my Fossil model. Looked pretty standard. Ordered it, didn’t cost too much. When it arrived, I opened the package. Felt solid, good weight, nice finish. Looked good next to the watch face.
Getting Down to Business
Alright, first hurdle. Tried it on. Way too big. Like, the watch was sliding halfway down my forearm. Knew right away I’d have to take some links out. I’d seen people do it, watched a video or two before. Didn’t look too hard, but I’d never actually done it myself.
First thing was checking if I had the tools. You need that little pin pusher thing. Rummaged through my drawers, toolbox, nothing. Figures. Had to hop back online and order a cheap little watch tool kit. Just needed the basics. Waited a couple more days for that to show up.
Tool kit arrived. Bunch of tiny tools. Okay, let’s do this. I laid the watch strap on a cloth so I wouldn’t scratch it all up. Looked closely at the inside of the strap links. Saw those little arrows showing which way the pins push out. Seemed simple enough.
The Actual Work (and a bit of fumbling)
- Lined up the pin pusher tool with the pinhole on the first link I wanted to remove.
- Gave it a gentle push. Nothing.
- Pushed a bit harder. Still nothing. Started to worry I’d break the tool or scratch the strap.
- Took a breath, made sure it was straight, and gave it a real firm push. Heard a tiny ‘click’ and the pin started moving! Felt like a major victory right there.
- Pushed it out most of the way, then used some tiny pliers from the kit to pull the pin completely out. One link separated.
- Okay, gotta do the other side of that link. Same process. Push, push harder, click, pull.
- Then I had to figure out how many links to remove. Took out three from one side first. Reconnected the strap using one of the pins I removed (making sure to push it back in the opposite direction of the arrows). Tried it on. Still too loose.
- Okay, took out another two links from the other side. Same fiddly process. Push, click, pull. Reconnect. This part took the most time, just carefully pushing those pins without losing them. Almost lost one tiny pin when it popped out unexpectedly, spent a few minutes searching the table for it.
- Tried it on again. Much better. Snug, but not too tight. Perfect.
Attaching to the Watch
Now for the easy part, or so I thought. Getting the old worn-out strap off was simple. Used the spring bar tool from the kit – the little forked end – to compress the spring bars and pop them out. Took seconds.
Putting the new metal strap on… well, it took a bit more patience. Lining up one end of the spring bar in the little hole on the watch lug, then compressing the other end with the tool and trying to wiggle it into the opposite hole. Took a few tries on each side. You kinda have to feel for it clicking into place. But eventually, got both sides secured.
All Done
And that was it. Stood back and looked at it. Yeah, much better. The metal strap totally changed the look of the watch. Feels more substantial now, a bit heavier obviously, but in a good way. Looks way more durable than the old leather one.
Honestly, pretty happy I tackled it myself. Bit fiddly with those tiny pins, sure, and getting the size right took some trial and error. But saved a trip to the jeweler, learned something new. Feels good wearing it now, knowing I sized and fitted the strap myself. Definitely worth the bit of effort.