NOVEMBER 08, 2021 HOW TO CHANGE OR ADJUST A ROLEX WATCH BAND A nice strap or bracelet has the ability to define your watch. While the metals and jewels of the case are eye-catching, and the face of the watch is impressive with all of its complications and movements, the sophistication, fashion, and flair of the watch are all determined by the band it rests on. That is why when a watch strap or band breaks, it is no laughing matter. While having a backup band is a good practice that will prevent you from having a day without your favorite watch, keeping a spare on hand doesn’t prevent your other bands from breaking. So what to do with a broken Rolex watch band? Discard it? Put it in a junk drawer and pledge to inevitably get around to repairing it? No! Having your Rolex watch band repaired is as easy as employing the services of a professional at CJ Charles. If you don’t know how to repair your watch or how to repair a scratched watch face, you have come to the right place. And who knows, your watch band may not even need a professional fix! In this article, we will take a look at some of the more common watch band problems, repairs, and at-home replacement tactics so you can better determine what kind of repair your watch band needs. Keep in mind that your Rolex watch repair cost will differ depending on the issue at hand. With the help of CJ Charles, you can have your favorite band back on your watch and strapped to your wrist in no time at all. Before we begin to discuss some of the greater Rolex watch repairs, let’s take a look at the most common types of the watchmaker’s bands. BRACELET BANDS Bracelet bands are some of the most common for Rolex band watches, especially for everyday use, as they tend to have one of the longest life spans. A bracelet refers to a linked chain of small interlocking pieces that attach to the wrist via a locking clasp system. While this type of band is quite sturdy, you still may need a Rolex bracelet repair if one of the link chains breaks. LEATHER BANDS This type of watch strap creates a classic style for any Rolex timepiece. Leather bands are usually a popular choice for dress watches, and they employ the use of a traditional buckle. While a leather strap or band is typically a more stylish choice, it is also prone to greater wear and tear due to the supple nature of leather. ADDING OR REMOVING A BRACELET LINK A Rolex repair can be easier than you think. Let's look at adding or removing links from a Rolex band. Adding or removing a band is similar to the process of swapping out the entire watchband. You can read more about the process of swapping out your watch band below but for now, let’s focus on one bracelet link at a time. Each bracelet link is held together by a small pin or screw. To add or subtract a bracelet link from the band as a whole, you simply need to remove the pin or screw and manipulate the band accordingly. Using a strap pin removal tool, press down on the spring-loaded pin on the outside of the watchband. The bar should pop out the other side enough that you can grab it with your fingers or a small set of tweezers. Set the pin aside and either add or remove links as necessary. If you are trying to find the perfect fit, try adding and removing one or two links at a time, as this will save you the headache of guessing and then trying to correct the mistake of making it too tight or too loose. To subtract a link in the bracelet, pop out the pins between two links, remove the link and reattach the remaining links by re-inserting the pin. To add a link, pick any link, remove the pin, place the new link between the two links attached, and simply re-insert the pin. It’s that simple! REPLACING THE BAND Just because it's a luxury watch, doesn't mean it has to be complicated. If you are just interested in replacing your watch band, there is no need to bring your watch to CJ Charles. Although we would be happy to take care of the switch for you, it is a task that can be easily done at home. Here is a quick synopsis of how to repair and change your band at home: How to Remove the Band From Your Rolex Watch: Take a soft cotton towel and spread it across a clean, flat surface. Make sure to clear the area of anything that may damage your watch. With a microfiber cloth, clean your watch and band. Take this time to examine your watch and look for any additional scratches or damage. Place the watch face down on the towel. Using a strap pin removal tool, press down on the spring-loaded pin on the corner of the watch or unscrew the screw in the link. Press in the spring-loaded bar from both sides, which will release the spring bar and pin. This will allow one side of the band to come free. Repeat steps four through six on the other side, which will detach the watchband completely, leaving you with only the case of the watch. Make sure to catch the spring bar and pin as you will need them to attach your new band. How to Install the New Band On Your Rolex Timepiece: Take the new band and place it where the old band was, making sure to align the holes in the band with the holes in the watch. We want to make sure that the bar which secures the band in place can slide through the watch and the band simultaneously. Keep in mind that this is what’s going to help keep the watch in place. Carefully slide the small bar back through the watch and then through the band. Press the bar firmly until the bar is almost all the way in. Press the final bit of the bar into the watch with your specialty tool until the spring-loaded pin that we pressed down to release the bar is locked back into the right position. Repeat steps one through four for the other side. For all major fixes, you should employ the services of a professional like CJ Charles. Having a professional like CJ Charles tend to the needs of your watch ensures that your watch is protected while the job is executed properly. Sometimes watch band repairs are included in a service like a yearly tune-up or cleaning, so it may be in your best interest to have your Rolex frequently serviced. Watchband repairs, although they seem simple, often carry more complication and nuance than you may initially expect. Plus, the tiny pieces of a watch band can easily go missing or be damaged, so if you are not confident in your skills regarding even the most rudimentary watch band repair, then definitely employ the services of a professional. 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