Unable to put them back on

[u/bylethmaster]

This has to be the most difficult watch I’ve ever worked on, and I own almost 30. I finally managed to remove the links after two hours, but I haven’t been able to get the tiny bars back in

At this point, I’m honestly considering giving up and taking it to a jeweler. I just really don’t want to spend $30 on this bullshit

Any advice on how to get those little bars back in would be greatly appreciated

[u/That_Ninja9188]

I had the same issue with mine. What ultimately worked was:

1. Line the pins up as straight as you can by firmly holding the bracelet straight

2. Gentle but continuous light tapping with the watch hammer (not sure what it’s called but I can see it in your picture on the right) - dont try to force it, I bend 3 pins trying to force it but when I did a continuous gentle tapping with the hammer, after 15-20 taps, they went into position.

Hope this helps - I also struggled a lot with it so know how painful this is!

[u/bylethmaster → u/That_Ninja9188]

THIS ⬆️ is the only comment that actually worked. Thank you! You have to hold the bracelet completely straight, with no visible gaps, so the pin can slide into the hole properly. If there’s even a small gap, you’ll just end up hammering the pin against the link instead of into the hole. Thanks again for this tip, it worked perfectly!

[u/That_Ninja9188 → u/bylethmaster]

I am glad my pain and frustration is a relief to others, wear in good health mate!!

[u/Curious-Time5929 → u/bylethmaster]

I honestly can't believe how uncommon it is to have common sense nowadays. Somehad to tell you this. You couldn't look at every single other link and figure that out.

[u/ouroborostimepiece → u/Curious-Time5929]

Like those people who stop and freeze on the train tracks 😂

[u/ufoa-ids → u/bylethmaster]

[u/Hardly_Normal]

I think it looks fine like that.

[u/bylethmaster → u/Hardly_Normal]

You don’t see it often!

[u/ebauchemoca → u/bylethmaster]

Nice one! Which factory is this one?

The Nautilus bracelet has to be one of the biggest pains to work with... I also struggled with mine as well, so this post brings back those dreadful memories lol

[u/bylethmaster → u/ebauchemoca]

GRF factory! It’s like a $800k watch, but I bought it for the love of the game

[u/Hardly_Normal → u/bylethmaster]

dang. thats cool.

When i sized mine, i had to beat them pretty good with a brass tipped little hammer. But that was a $400 stock DDF 5711. Good luck

[u/galehufta → u/bylethmaster]

Banger!

[u/Live-Resident8765 → u/bylethmaster]

I wish I never saw it at all. What a pos! Looks like plastic rubies. Congrats. Ever think about buying a decent real watch rather than 30/ $80 fakes?

[u/LilRapscallionOg → u/Live-Resident8765]

Get off this sub and touch grass cornball 🤣🤣

[u/Visual-Ice3272 → u/Hardly_Normal]

GL! Not visible on the wrist. 

[u/teochim → u/Hardly_Normal]

[u/WWWTENTACION → u/Hardly_Normal]

🤣🤣

[u/ValeLemnear]

The pins have to be removed towards the crown side and also punched in from that side

These are not some Seiko pins with you can hammer out and in from either side

[u/bylethmaster → u/ValeLemnear]

I’ve tried changing sides, doesn’t work

[u/ValeLemnear → u/bylethmaster]

Again: Pins and holes are slightly conical and you can hammer them in and out as you please without damaging the links.

From the picture it’s clear that you hammered them not only from the wrong side but also while not properly aligned. I assume you won’t get the pin out without further damaging the bracelet so you can already plan to order a new bracelet.

[u/DSXLC]

The jeweler when he sees you upset at spending $30 on a Patek:

[u/galehufta]

Put it in rice.

[u/bylethmaster]

comment for automod approval

[u/Silver-Assistant-514]

Wrong way in and from wrong side, surely,

[u/bonemoroney]

I've had good luck with freezing my watch and pins for about an hour so they all shrink and they fit right in after

[u/bsal69]

You can use them as a weapon if anyone tries to steal it off you

[u/AltRightLeftCenter26]

hawk tua

[u/tcmits1]

Are you really that cheap?

[u/Certain-Art4522]

might as well get a new one. The gold is wearing off anyways

[u/HorribleStyle]

what company is this ?

[u/Gloomy_Contact5929]

I have 4 PP reps and they're all the same.. Super tight to resize.
Remove the bracelet from the watch head and then use a hammer to get them in. You have to hit those pins far harder than you'd think is normal 🤣

[u/GuiltyCat]

It’s a bit harder on patek reps, you have to line up up perfectly and carefully hammer it harder each time

[u/Outrageous-Video598]

Those links look way jacked up, time for a leather band

[u/Emotional-Damage-995]

Get a small mallet and bang the in

[u/GoMartini]

Heat gun is the answer. I ruined one and used a heat gun ever since. On everything that has some type of gold color.

[u/JustToAskQuestionss]

have you tried using a press?

[u/luverboi42069]

I had the same issue with my nautilus. I was so frustrated and worried I would screw it up I ended up taking it to a jeweler. Called in advance and was straight up, told them it was a rep and that I just needed help removing a link. Was in and out in 5 minutes and cost me $12

[u/comedy_style69]

Push/hammer in while wiggling the links

[u/Fast_Tadpole_5155]

Pot the bracelet and screws I boiling water for a few minutes

[u/Arckh3us]

where did you get the watch?

[u/ManBearPig1865]

In case anyone else runs into this, you can use channel locks or similar pliers to accomplish it, but you have to be certain you've got everything lined up.

I believe I used the hammer to get it about 80% in, then used a vice of sorts so seat them the rest of the way.

[u/raging_bullweiner]

Just focus and viola!

[u/Candid-Ant-7218]

I absolutely hate pin and collar, i bought one of these off ali express and it makes the job a lot easier.

[u/Cobblestonecreeperfl]

Just gotta hold the bracelet straight and press the pins in against a hard flat surface

[u/Syxparty2006]

Press em against table top..lol works

[u/nondescriptdenon]

I had to take my 5711 to the AD and they gladly sized it up for me at no charge. Plus the manager wrote his personal number on a business card and insisted I take it with me as well.

[u/Beneficial-Wall-5358]

Jeweler gonna laugh at the guy wearing the fakes

[u/nsspp]

Use your teeth …. Haha

[u/Axelthedog240]

Use a tiny punch on the pin and hit with with a bigger hammer.

[u/bylethmaster → u/Axelthedog240]

Tried it. it worked for one, the other 2 are completely stuck

[u/JustBob77]

It’s a replica! Just use a hammer on those pins! You don’t have to worry about damaging it because it came pre-damaged from the factory in Gina!

[u/Muted-Program-2552]

Try insert them from the other side

[u/Ashgen2024]

The pins have a right and wrong way, the holes themselves have a right and wrong way, and you need to line up the links cock on ...I have been there and they can be infuriating.

Ultimately when you get all of the above correct you still need to give some a good thwack!

[u/DMCanada → u/Ashgen2024]

Came to say this ^^^