DIY vs. Professional Watch Resizing for the Perfect Fit

A watch is more than a timepiece. Depending on its size and details, it can be a lavish accessory or an elegant accent to your ensemble. Adjusting the watch band ensures your piece fits just right. Read on to discover the pros and cons of getting your watch resized vs. doing it yourself. 

The Disadvantages of DIY Watch Resizing

Watch resizing is something you can do on your own with the right tools and a certain amount of skill. If you plan on building a substantial watch collection — each with a resizable band — it may be worthwhile to purchase the appropriate tools. 

However, watch resizing is a difficult process and comes with costly risks if you make a mistake. Such risks include:

• Broken pins
• Stripped screws
• Lost pieces 
• Scratched bands and watch faces

You need time and practice to perfect your skills. Variances in quality and metals can make a big difference. Softer metals can scratch and warp under little force, whereas harder metals may require more force.

Though resizing a watch band at home is possible it’s not recommended, especially for pieces with significant value. The chance of damaging the band and decreasing the watch's value is high, and the potential savings aren’t worth it. 

The Benefits of Professional Watch Resizing

Resizing a watch takes skill and expertise to maintain the integrity of the band and the watch’s overall value. There are many notable benefits to using a professional to resize your watch.

Knowledgeable craftsmanship 

When you use the professional watch resizing services at Jeweler’s Touch, our expert jewelers take the utmost care with your timepiece. We have the advanced tools and expertise to give you exactly what you want, whether we’re removing or adding watch links.

Appraised and sentimental value

Using professional watch resizing services helps your piece retain its appraised and sentimental value. Even slight imperfections can significantly impact the value of special pieces. Our jewelers make every effort to preserve the intrinsic and market value of the watch. 

Time is of the essence

Our jewelry repair services can take three to five days. However, if you need it done sooner, we can often make accommodations for an additional fee. If you’re nervous about letting the piece out of your sight, make an appointment to view the resizing as it happens through our 24-foot viewing window. 

Added touches

When you bring a watch or any jewelry into Jeweler’s Touch for repair or resizing, you’ll receive a complimentary cleaning and inspection. We recommend having your fine pieces cleaned and inspected every six months. 

Watch Styles That Can Be Resized

Not all watches are suitable for resizing. Bangle style and stretch band present significant challenges. Like ring materials, some bangle materials can’t be resized. For example, ceramic and tungsten may break if you try to resize them, and titanium is too hard. 

The taper and length of the links can also increase the difficulty. In some cases, if the taper between the watch face and the clasp is too significant, the band loses structural integrity when you remove the watch links. If the links are too long, removing a link can make the watch too tight and offset the balance of the piece. 

What to Expect From a Professional Service

At Jeweler’s Touch, we pride ourselves on our excellent service. All our work undergoes a five-point quality control inspection, and we offer a one-year warranty on all our repairs.

We have seven expert jewelers and goldsmiths on staff to take care of your special pieces. Schedule an appointment or walk-inwalk in for a free, no-obligation consultation, and one of our staff will get you started. We do a full inspection of the piece and provide you with a quote for the work. 

We use advanced tools and techniques to adjust your watch band or quickly replace the battery. We also offer complimentary cleaning, so when you leave with your resized piece, it’ll shine like new. 

Every piece we repair is under our care. We take photos and a detailed description for your file and our records. Plus, any jewelry or accessories left in our possession areis under our insurance policy. 

Contact Jeweler’s Touch Today

Ensure your timepiece retains its value and integrity by choosing Jeweler’s Touch for your watch resizing. Whether you’ve just purchased the watch or it’s a family heirloom, give it the care it deserves.

Our expert jewelers and goldsmiths complete the task carefully and efficiently so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your piece is in good hands. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, or drop by to visit our friendly staff and see the difference Jeweler’s Touch can make.