You really need a stronger steel shaft to force the connectors out. They are designed to stay in place by friction, not like screws.

Lay the bracelet flat on something hard like wood. Brace the edge of the bracelet on either side of the link you want to remove. Take a small screwdriver perhaps and with a small hammer tap the center in the direction of the arrow. It will be tight, but when it moves, you'll know it. After you tap the center link as far as it can go within the gap, you should be able to grab it from the side of the bracelet with some jewelers pliers and pull it out.

Putting the center links back in is much easier...just stand the bracelet up insert the center into the slot in the opposite direction of the arrow and tap it down until it's flush with the side. Good luck!

 

You really need a stronger steel shaft to force the connectors out. They are designed to stay in place by friction, not like screws.

? And what holds a screw in place?

@OP: Essentially the same as MrD offered, except that I use a dental tool which I have re-shaped to fit this application.

Regards, BG

 

You need a link removal tool that works like a vise. They are very inexpensive on Amazon.

Something like this:

Amazon.com: MMOBIEL Watch Band Strap Link Pin Remover Adjust Repair Tool Kit for Watchmakers with Pins Spring Pusher Steel Punch, Blue, Modern : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry

Buy MMOBIEL Watch Band Strap Link Pin Remover Adjust Repair Tool Kit for Watchmakers with Pins Spring Pusher Steel Punch, Blue, Modern and other Repair Tools & Kits at Amazon.com. Our wide selection is eligible for free shipping and free returns.

www.amazon.com

 

Try getting one of these

 

link removal tool as others have noted; also, if it's an old bracelet, and the pins have been in place for a long time, something like WD40 or liquid wrench in limited quantities (make sure you thoroughly clean up the bracelet when done) can help free up stuck pins.

I assume the pins are held in there by pressure, that they're not screw-in.

 

Agree. A very small amount of well place penetrating oil might make this easier.

Normally I heat up the bracelet slightly (removed from the watch head), with my heat gun, apply a bit of oil around the pins, let it soak in for about 30 minutes and then have at it.

If you do get it sized correctly, make sure to remove any residual oil, etc, to keep everything clean and not attract and future debris.

Good luck.

 

Thank you all so much for your input! I will give it a try with the link removal tool and if I don’t succeed I’ll take it to a watchmaker.

 

I can't be completely sure with only that photo to look at, but I'm pretty sure that what you need is one of these:

Link Removing Pliers

Cousins UK for Link Removing Pliers

www.cousinsuk.com

The pin removal tools mentioned above will not work. You might get away with using normal needle nosed pliers or a small screw driver but the sliding part of the link is usually very tight and will risk damaging the link.

 

This is true. The link pin removal tools are for the round split pins. His bracelet is just as described above.
I remember this video was helpful when I was faced with the same type of bracelet folded links.

 

I can't be completely sure with only that photo to look at, but I'm pretty sure that what you need is one of these:

Link Removing Pliers

Cousins UK for Link Removing Pliers

www.cousinsuk.com

The pin removal tools mentioned above will not work. You might get away with using normal needle nosed pliers or a small screw driver but the sliding part of the link is usually very tight and will risk damaging the link.

This is true. The link pin removal tools are for the round split pins. His bracelet is just as described above.
I remember this video was helpful when I was faced with the same type of bracelet folded links.

Oh thank you so much! I’ll try finding one of those pliers!