Removing a permanent link on GMT?

[lek0708]

Is it possible to remove a permanent link?

I FINALLY have a watch - a vintage GMT, that I love! But it doesn't fit the best :(. I have all removed all of the temporary links and slid over the easy-adjust to the farthest hole, and I can still fit 2 fingers inside the bracelet. I think if I could just get one more link out it would be the right size. I don't want it sliding up and down my arm. Is there any hope? Or should I just strap it with a leather band. Any other ideas or devices that would give me a tighter fit?

Thanks for the help.
-Lauren

[metal man]

Yes but you'll have to take it in to someone and your going to lose the link for good. It will need to be drilled out,depending on the condition of the band a jewler may be able to get a blade to the pin and cut it out. Good luck.

[Tools]

The permanent links just pull apart, although it does take some technique..

Find a Dealer with a watchmaker on staff and he/she may be able to do the job for you, or the Dealer can send it in and the Service Center will remove one for you... it is really quite common..

Make sure that it is removed from the 6 o'clock side for a best fit...

Here's what it looks like

[lek0708]

Originally Posted by Tools

The permanent links just pull apart, although it does take some technique..

Find a Dealer with a watchmaker on staff and he/she may be able to do the job for you, or the Dealer can send it in and the Service Center will remove one for you... it is really quite common..

Make sure that it is removed from the 6 o'clock side for a best fit...

Sweet. Okay, I'll give this a shot. Thanks for the help!

[Juggernaut]

great photo, Tools. thanks for posting.
ah, so that's what the permanent links look like. So is that considered a "hollow link"??

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

great photo, Tools. thanks for posting.
ah, so that's what the permanent links look like. So is that considered a "hollow link"??

Yes... this one is hollow.... but by the time you get the very thick and solid Rolex connecting pins inside, there really isn't much "hollow" left... just enough room to have a little flexibility..

[RsqVet]

I know those who have done it themselves the following way --- Vice grips on either side of the link you wish to remove -- wiggle, wiggle some more and pull. Eventually comes apart. You are destroying the link you are removing so the fact you are locking vice grips on it hardly matters.

Not for the faint of heart.

[Juggernaut]

Originally Posted by Tools

Yes... this one is hollow.... but by the time you get the very thick and solid Rolex connecting pins inside, there really isn't much "hollow" left... just enough room to have a little flexibility..

So then the newer "solid center links" have a different connection not using the locking pins??

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

So then the newer "solid center links" have a different connection not using the locking pins??

Nope........

They're connected the same way...

[TurboWatch]

We have Larry (Tools).

[lek0708]

Originally Posted by RsqVet

I know those who have done it themselves the following way --- Vice grips on either side of the link you wish to remove -- wiggle, wiggle some more and pull. Eventually comes apart. You are destroying the link you are removing so the fact you are locking vice grips on it hardly matters.

Not for the faint of heart.

Haha... yeah definitely not for the faint of heart. I'll leave it to a professional if I decide to remove one. Giving it a shot the way it is for a little bit.