[dogs-in-brine]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I've been looking at various threads in this forum for a while now while making the decision about whether to buy a Citizen Chronomaster. I don't know whether I should thank you guys or not for the fact that I'm now significantly poorer and with a nice new watch on the way from Higuchi ;-). Suffice to say, great forum guys.

Anyway, along with my CTQ57-0953 I also bought the brown leather strap sported by the CTQ57-1203, so that I'd be able to switch between Titanium and Leather straps whenever the mood takes me. Here's my question - I'm a watch newbie and though I just about know how to change a strap I'm aware that there are different types of bars (spring, screw etc.) and different types/sizes of tools available. I think it's Rex who has this same model on a leather strap (the pictures of which pretty much pushed me over the edge), so maybe he's the man to ask; but if anyone could tell me exactly what tool I need to buy for swapping between straps on this model (and, ideally, resizing the Titanium bracelet myself as well) I'd really appreciate it. I know I could take this to a specialist to do it (and maybe I should!), but I want to be able to swap straps on a whim, which means it's got to be DIY.

Any help you guys could give would be really appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

DiB

 

[Abra]

Probably the most amateur tool, but works for me

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320438460542

 

[dogs-in-brine]

Cheers Abra,

So from that I'm guessing it's a spring bar to get the strap off the watch - that should be fine. As for taking links out of the bracelet does it not matter about the size of the "pokey" end? Looking on ebay there seem to be tools saying things like "300 replaceable heads" - is that just crazy or are there actualy loads of different sizes? Obviously I don't want to risk scratching or otherwise damaging my new baby

Thanks,
DiB

 

[rex]

Hey Dib...Great idea, but not very practical for frequent changing.>>

The Chronomaster uses traditional springbars that hold the bracelet or strap in place...For me, it's a quite a tedious task and (pain in the butt :-d), when removing and installing a strap or bracelet on any expensive watch, because I'm super careful not to put any tool marks from the springbar tool on the polished surfaces on the back side of the lugs...I've had pretty good success applying masking tape inside the lugs before the procedure..This helps protect the surface somewhat, but isn't infallable because sometimes the masking tape's glue isn't strong enough and can still slip from the surface from the pressure of the springbar tool.

I live in New Orleans where most of the year it's hot and humid. Straps are only practical during a couple months....Anything I hate worse is a the smell of stinky watch strap from sweat bacteria!

Not sure if I answered you question, but I hope it helped.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

 

[Abra]

dogs-in-brine, I'm pretty sure your strap link holes are the standard size, so any tool will work

rex, how about shark, lizard, croko straps, do they have the same problem?

 

[dogs-in-brine]

Sounds good. Thanks a lot guys.

Yeh, I think I'll be taking care and using the masking tape as well. I'll be getting the watch just after Christmas so I'll have a bit of time on my hands - frankly, if it takes me a whole day to resize the strap without damaging it, that's something I'll live with ;-).

I think my leather strap will probably get more of an airing than yours though Rex - I'm in London and there's little fear of overly sweaty weather for more than about 5% of the year!

Thanks again,
DiB

 

[rex]

Good luck DIB...Here's part of a pic of the tool I use>>>

and a pic of my tan Sirtoli strap(short size).

http://www.fototime.com/{962EE48C-3F45-4C09-A03A-291D9172B8CA}/picture.JPG

http://www.fototime.com/{081D5A92-2DB3-4E3B-9232-B9ACD979C13F}/picture.JPG

Good luck and Happy Holidays.

 

[dogs-in-brine]

Thanks a lot Rex (and Abra) - that's a big help.

I bought one like this yesterday: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-ROLSON-WA...Accessories_SpareParts_SM?hash=item4149af3ee3

It's not quite the same as yours, but it seems like it should do the trick. I also saw something like this and bought it as well: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Watch-Strap-A...tZUK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item19b86a07d3

I'd not seen one of these before, but I thought it should give me an easy way to take links out of Ti bracelet without the risk of slipping and scratching it. Hopefully both of these (and the Citizen itself) should turn up just after Christmas, so I should know soon if these will do the trick.

Happy holidays guys,
Alex

 

[Catalin]

Thanks a lot Rex (and Abra) - that's a big help.

I bought one like this yesterday:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-ROLSON-WATCH-SPRING-LINK-BAR-REMOVER-REPAIR-TOOL_W0QQitemZ280409095907QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Jewellery_Watches_WatchAccessories_SpareParts_SM?hash=item4149af3ee3

It's not quite the same as yours, but it seems like it should do the trick. I also saw something like this and bought it as well:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Watch-Strap-Adjuster-Bracelet-Link-Pin-Remover-Tool-701_W0QQitemZ110468138963QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item19b86a07d3

I'd not seen one of these before, but I thought it should give me an easy way to take links out of Ti bracelet without the risk of slipping and scratching it. Hopefully both of these (and the Citizen itself) should turn up just after Christmas, so I should know soon if these will do the trick.

Happy holidays guys,
Alex

The second one with the plastic holder/pusher (and metal pin) is the only one that is good enough for use by non-pro watchmakers - but you have to be attentive even with that one since you can still do some damage (much smaller) - always pay attention at the direction/sense of the pin (almost always marked somewhere) and if you don't see perfectly just use glasses !!!

 

[Beau8]

Welcome~Cheers! ;-)

 

[Guest]

i bought pin remover and other watch tools at local watch store. because for first timer, u can always ask their advice. that could make a huge difference.

and always wearing good gloves to protect urself and the watch

cheers

 

[artec]

All the responses I've seen to your initial post have been about changing the strap/bracelet, and I have no doubt that they'll help you to do the job.

I don't know if you are going to size the bracelet as well. If you are, you need different tools. I've got a couple of titanium The Citizens, too and have adjusted the bracelet lengths. It's not difficult but be warned that there is a tiny split bushing that lives in one end of the middle link. Its job is to grip the pin so that the pin stays put.

Some people like to drive the pin out with a little hammer and a pin-punch. I prefer to use a screw press made of plastic. There are several available. I got mine from Otto Frei at tztools.com. It's listed under bracelet and strap tools as FB-506. You'll also need a pair of tweezers. At least I do, my fingers aren't delicate enough to handle the little bushing without throwing it onto the carpet, never to be seen again.

If you haven't done this before, look for the little arrow on the inside of the links near the clasp and push the pin out in the direction of the arrow. I've found that it's best to make sure I take the bushing out as soon as the links are separated, or it tries to escape.

If you've done all this a hundred times before, I'm sorry I bored you!

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I've been looking at various threads in this forum for a while now while making the decision about whether to buy a Citizen Chronomaster. I don't know whether I should thank you guys or not for the fact that I'm now significantly poorer and with a nice new watch on the way from Higuchi ;-). Suffice to say, great forum guys.

Anyway, along with my CTQ57-0953 I also bought the brown leather strap sported by the CTQ57-1203, so that I'd be able to switch between Titanium and Leather straps whenever the mood takes me. Here's my question - I'm a watch newbie and though I just about know how to change a strap I'm aware that there are different types of bars (spring, screw etc.) and different types/sizes of tools available. I think it's Rex who has this same model on a leather strap (the pictures of which pretty much pushed me over the edge), so maybe he's the man to ask; but if anyone could tell me exactly what tool I need to buy for swapping between straps on this model (and, ideally, resizing the Titanium bracelet myself as well) I'd really appreciate it. I know I could take this to a specialist to do it (and maybe I should!), but I want to be able to swap straps on a whim, which means it's got to be DIY.

Any help you guys could give would be really appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

DiB