How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band? (It's not
obvious.)

I bought, at CostCo, the Wenger Swiss Military 200m water proof watch
for my teen-age son's birthday for about 30 dollars (as he wants to
learn how to scuba dive in Monterey Bay).

His thin wrist in no way fits this Wenger watch band, even wearing his
wetsuit, in so much as at least two links need to be removed from the
stainless steel watch band, one on each side. Instructions supplied
with the blister pack do not explain how to adjust the band (presumably
it's so simple that we should be able to figure it out by ourselves
using a butter knife)???

His new Wenger Swiss Military watch band has six links on each side,
with two (I'll guess they're called) pins holding them together. The
three lower links on each side each have a 2 mm arrow embossed into the
center of the backside of the plates (for whatever reason, I don't
know). My son suspects that arrow is telling us the direction in which
to remove the pins holding the links to the watch band.

Further evidence these six links are the remove-me links are the fact
that a pin of some sort can be seen on a side view of the Wenger watch
band for these "arrowed" links only.

Problem is - how do we remove those 'pins'? If we punch them out with
an incredibly small punch (the pins seem to be about a half millimeter
in diameter), won't we ruin them? I mean, what holds them in? Friction?
If it's friction, won't we need new pins when we punch out the old ones
(presumably stripping the heads)?

The other thing is these arrows are not symetrical in that they are
only lined up with one of the two pins per link (that is, there is only
one arrow per link and that arrow is under only one of the pins per the
link).

Am I missing something fundamental here?
What's the trick to removing and replacing two links in a steel watch
band?

Vanessa wrote in message
oups.com...

How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band?
(It's not obvious.)

Yeah, I basically removed a couple of the links.

I bought, at CostCo, the Wenger Swiss Military 200m water
proof watch for my teen-age son's birthday for about 30 dollars
(as he wants to learn how to scuba dive in Monterey Bay).

His thin wrist in no way fits this Wenger watch band,

Yeah, I had the same problem.

even wearing his wetsuit, in so much as at least two links need
to be removed from the stainless steel watch band, one on each
side. Instructions supplied with the blister pack do not explain
how to adjust the band (presumably it's so simple that we should
be able to figure it out by ourselves using a butter knife)???

Not really, but it isnt rocket science.

His new Wenger Swiss Military watch band has six links on each
side, with two (I'll guess they're called) pins holding them together.

Mine had fold over metal bits with each link.

The three lower links on each side each have a 2 mm arrow embossed
into the center of the backside of the plates (for whatever reason, I don't
know). My son suspects that arrow is telling us the direction in which
to remove the pins holding the links to the watch band.

Further evidence these six links are the remove-me links are
the fact that a pin of some sort can be seen on a side view
of the Wenger watch band for these "arrowed" links only.

Sounds plausible.

Problem is - how do we remove those 'pins'? If we punch them out with
an incredibly small punch (the pins seem to be about a half millimeter
in diameter), won't we ruin them? I mean, what holds them in? Friction?

Some have a spring loaded inner pin at each end.

If it's friction, won't we need new pins when we punch
out the old ones (presumably stripping the heads)?

The other thing is these arrows are not symetrical in
that they are only lined up with one of the two pins per
link (that is, there is only one arrow per link and that
arrow is under only one of the pins per the link).

Am I missing something fundamental here?

Yes, http://www.wengerna.com/faq.jsp?cat_id=1#add_links

What's the trick to removing and replacing
two links in a steel watch band?

Looks like there is a special tool that does it.

"Vanessa" wrote

How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band? (It's not
obvious.)

It's not real hard, but may be more than you want to take on. Your son is
on the right track, but you don't use a butter knife. More likely, you use
a small paperclip of safety pin. Regardless, your best bet, given the fact
that this is clearly not your specialty, is to take the watch to a jeweler.
At worst, he won't charge much. At best, if you catch him when he's not
busy, he'll do it for free, just for the good will.

Lee

"Vanessa" wrote in message
oups.com...
How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band? (It's not
obvious.)

I bought, at CostCo, the Wenger Swiss Military 200m water proof watch
for my teen-age son's birthday for about 30 dollars (as he wants to
learn how to scuba dive in Monterey Bay).

His thin wrist in no way fits this Wenger watch band, even wearing his
wetsuit, in so much as at least two links need to be removed from the
stainless steel watch band, one on each side. Instructions supplied
with the blister pack do not explain how to adjust the band (presumably
it's so simple that we should be able to figure it out by ourselves
using a butter knife)???

His new Wenger Swiss Military watch band has six links on each side,
with two (I'll guess they're called) pins holding them together. The
three lower links on each side each have a 2 mm arrow embossed into the
center of the backside of the plates (for whatever reason, I don't
know). My son suspects that arrow is telling us the direction in which
to remove the pins holding the links to the watch band.

Further evidence these six links are the remove-me links are the fact
that a pin of some sort can be seen on a side view of the Wenger watch
band for these "arrowed" links only.
Problem is - how do we remove those 'pins'? If we punch them out with
an incredibly small punch (the pins seem to be about a half millimeter
in diameter), won't we ruin them? I mean, what holds them in? Friction?
If it's friction, won't we need new pins when we punch out the old ones
(presumably stripping the heads)?

The other thing is these arrows are not symetrical in that they are
only lined up with one of the two pins per link (that is, there is only
one arrow per link and that arrow is under only one of the pins per the
link).

Am I missing something fundamental here?
What's the trick to removing and replacing two links in a steel watch
band?

I've adjusted quite a few watch bands over the years and each time was
different.

Have a jeweler do it. He want charge much and he has the tools and know how
to do it right.

On 17-Jun-2005, "Vanessa" wrote:

I bought, at CostCo, the Wenger Swiss Military 200m water proof watch
for my teen-age son's birthday for about 30 dollars (as he wants to
learn how to scuba dive in Monterey Bay).

Don't be too surprised if the watch doesn't work well under water.
200m water resistance sounds like is should be ok (since the
sport diving limit is 40m). However, if it has any push buttons
and they are not specifically designed for constant pressure, they
may depress under water pressure. What happens to the watch if
the button(s) are constantly held down may be unpredictable. DAMHIKT.

Mike

"Lee Bell" wrote in message
ink.net...
"Vanessa" wrote

How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band? (It's not
obvious.)

It's not real hard, but may be more than you want to take on. Your son is
on the right track, but you don't use a butter knife. More likely, you
use
a small paperclip of safety pin. Regardless, your best bet, given the
fact
that this is clearly not your specialty, is to take the watch to a
jeweler.
At worst, he won't charge much. At best, if you catch him when he's not
busy, he'll do it for free, just for the good will.

I gotta say;

For a conservative democrat, you sure are a decent human.

grin

Rod Speed wrote:
Am I missing something fundamental here?

Yes, http://www.wengerna.com/faq.jsp?cat_id=1#add_links

What's the trick to removing and replacing
two links in a steel watch band?

Looks like there is a special tool that does it.

I should have mentioned I had been to the Wenger web site previously.
http://www.wengerasi.com
which happens to have a photo of my son's Wenger Swiss Military Watch
(70016) on the home page - but my searches came up blank.

However, unless I'm more of an idiot than I thought (which is always
possible , there are absolutely no instructions for removing links in
that steel watch band on the entire Wenger web site.

While there are detailed instructions for measuring arcane things like
the simple width of the watch
(http://www.wengerna.com/browse/tutorial.jsp) I'm surprised there are
no common adjustment instructions for the band. Given the CostCo Wenger
Swiss Military 200m date watch band ships in XXL elephant size, I can't
imagine that everyone on the planet won't have to remove links in the
bracelet band.

I very much appreciate your link to the Wenger Swiss Army Watch FAQ.
http://www.wengerna.com/faq.jsp
But all it says for adjusting the band is take it to someone who knows
how to adjust the band already (that's why I'm asking this message
board).

The two PDFs at that FAQ site are for the booklet that comes with the
watch (which says ask someone who knows how to adjust the band) and for
ordering new bands.

Why would it be so exasperating to do something so simple as a watch
band adjustment - especially since the band comes in such a huge size
to start with that every human other than Mike Tyson will have to
adjust the band. Where's the usability in that?

By the way, I seriously doubt the pin is spring loaded like it is for
the clasp adjustment on the band because in the u-shaped clasp, there's
a place for the pin to come out - but in the closed-off band, there is
NOWHERE for a spring-loaded pin to exit. It seems that the link pins
can ONLY come out one end or the other which means it must be a
friction fit or some other trick - but not simple springs like in the
clasp (am I totally off base here?)???

Here is my best-guess procedure for all those CostCo watch buyers out
there.
1. Find a very small (1/2 mm) punch (probably a very tiny brad or nail)
2. Find a block of wood with a very small hole (about 1mm or so)
3. Find the arrow on the underside of the Wenger Swiss Military Watch
70016
4. Place the watch band on its side on the block of wood
5. Place the point of the punch on the pin in the direction of the ---
arrow
6. Make sure there is a closed hole (a ditch if you will) below the pin
7. That way you won't lose the pin if it suddenly pops out on you
8. Punch two pins per link out
9. Remove the link and replace only one of the pins
10. If we're lucky - the pins won't have been destroyed in the process

Does this sound anywhere near like a usable procedure for the new
owners of the Costco 70016 Wenger Swiss Military 200m date watch?

Vanessa wrote:
Am I missing something fundamental here?

either return the watch for the $50 casio with the vinyl band, or take
the wenger to a local jewelry store and have em resize it for a few bucks.

Vanessa wrote:
Why would it be so exasperating to do something so simple as a watch
band adjustment - especially since the band comes in such a huge size
to start with that every human other than Mike Tyson will have to
adjust the band. Where's the usability in that?

the bigger the band size, the more people can potentially wear it.

"Scott" wrote

I gotta say;

For a conservative democrat, you sure are a decent human.

You didn't have to say, but I'm glad you did. Thanks.

Lee

Vanessa wrote in message
oups.com...
Rod Speed wrote

Am I missing something fundamental here?

Yes, http://www.wengerna.com/faq.jsp?cat_id=1#add_links

What's the trick to removing and replacing
two links in a steel watch band?

Looks like there is a special tool that does it.

I should have mentioned I had been to the Wenger web site previously.
http://www.wengerasi.com
which happens to have a photo of my son's Wenger Swiss Military Watch
(70016) on the home page - but my searches came up blank.

However, unless I'm more of an idiot than I thought (which is always
possible , there are absolutely no instructions for removing links in
that steel watch band on the entire Wenger web site.

While there are detailed instructions for measuring arcane things like
the simple width of the watch
(http://www.wengerna.com/browse/tutorial.jsp) I'm surprised there are
no common adjustment instructions for the band. Given the CostCo Wenger
Swiss Military 200m date watch band ships in XXL elephant size, I can't
imagine that everyone on the planet won't have to remove links in the
bracelet band.

I very much appreciate your link to the Wenger Swiss Army Watch FAQ.
http://www.wengerna.com/faq.jsp
But all it says for adjusting the band is take it to someone who knows
how to adjust the band already (that's why I'm asking this message board).

It actually says pretty unambiguously that there is a special tool that is
used to remove excess links and that the watchmaker should have it.
http://www.wengerna.com/faq.jsp?cat_id=1#add_links

Its certainly possible that someone with some decent mechanical
aptitude can work out how to do it without the tool, but its unlikely
that you'll find anyone who has done that with that particular band.

The two PDFs at that FAQ site are for the booklet that
comes with the watch (which says ask someone who
knows how to adjust the band) and for ordering new bands.

Why would it be so exasperating to do something so simple as
a watch band adjustment - especially since the band comes in
such a huge size to start with that every human other than Mike
Tyson will have to adjust the band. Where's the usability in that?

Basically they have chosen to have the seller of the watch do it.

Thats basically a design choice.

By the way, I seriously doubt the pin is spring loaded like it is for
the clasp adjustment on the band because in the u-shaped clasp,

Yeah, sounds plausible. And you dont need a special tool for those.

there's a place for the pin to come out - but in the closed-off band,
there is NOWHERE for a spring-loaded pin to exit. It seems that
the link pins can ONLY come out one end or the other which
means it must be a friction fit or some other trick - but not simple
springs like in the clasp (am I totally off base here?)???

Nar, it does look like they have designed it to be dont with a special tool.

Corse that doesnt mean that thats the only way it can be done.

Likely it is a friction fit and the tool provides enough force to overcome that.

Here is my best-guess procedure for all those CostCo watch buyers out there.
1. Find a very small (1/2 mm) punch (probably a very tiny brad or nail)
2. Find a block of wood with a very small hole (about 1mm or so)
3. Find the arrow on the underside of the Wenger Swiss Military Watch
70016
4. Place the watch band on its side on the block of wood
5. Place the point of the punch on the pin in the direction of the ---
arrow
6. Make sure there is a closed hole (a ditch if you will) below the pin
7. That way you won't lose the pin if it suddenly pops out on you
8. Punch two pins per link out
9. Remove the link and replace only one of the pins
10. If we're lucky - the pins won't have been destroyed in the process

Does this sound anywhere near like a usable procedure for the new
owners of the Costco 70016 Wenger Swiss Military 200m date watch?

Have you asked costco what they suggest you do about the band adjustment ?
They may have an arrangement with someone to do that.

Vanessa wrote:

Here is my best-guess procedure for all those CostCo watch buyers out
there.
1. Find a very small (1/2 mm) punch (probably a very tiny brad or nail)
2. Find a block of wood with a very small hole (about 1mm or so)
3. Find the arrow on the underside of the Wenger Swiss Military Watch
70016
4. Place the watch band on its side on the block of wood
5. Place the point of the punch on the pin in the direction of the ---
arrow
6. Make sure there is a closed hole (a ditch if you will) below the pin
7. That way you won't lose the pin if it suddenly pops out on you
8. Punch two pins per link out
9. Remove the link and replace only one of the pins
10. If we're lucky - the pins won't have been destroyed in the process

Does this sound anywhere near like a usable procedure for the new
owners of the Costco 70016 Wenger Swiss Military 200m date watch?


you can buy the tools off ebay, either one of these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=5004066 795
or this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=5004067 208

if the band has the push out pin type and is not a screw or a "U" shaped
clip like used in the Seiko bands.

but really the best solution for you is to take it to a watchmaker or
jeweller and have them do it, I usually charge a couple of dollars, or
nothing if they bought watch or band from me.

the watchmaker/jeweller would have the right tools and the knowledge of
the right way to remove links without damage to the band.

some bands are easy, some are real *******s to do.

"dAz" dazb@zipDOTcomDOTau wrote in message
u...

but really the best solution for you is to take it to a watchmaker or
jeweller and have them do it, I usually charge a couple of dollars, or
nothing if they bought watch or band from me.

You don't get ****ed off that your customer bought their watch from a big
box store? If I were the jeweler I'd probably tell the customer to return
to Costco to get the thing adjusted because that's the quality service she
paid for. But that's just me perhaps.

Greg Mossman wrote:
"dAz" dazb@zipDOTcomDOTau wrote in message
u...


but really the best solution for you is to take it to a watchmaker or
jeweller and have them do it, I usually charge a couple of dollars, or
nothing if they bought watch or band from me.


You don't get ****ed off that your customer bought their watch from a big
box store? If I were the jeweler I'd probably tell the customer to return
to Costco to get the thing adjusted because that's the quality service she
paid for. But that's just me perhaps.


all the time, they buy them duty free, on a bargain somwhere etc etc,
but come to me for batteries, servicing, and band adjustments, meanwhile
my stock just sit there on the shelf, oh well, glad I am not in a shop
anymore.

Greg Mossman wrote:
You don't get ****ed off that your customer bought their watch from a big
box store? If I were the jeweler I'd probably tell the customer to return
to Costco to get the thing adjusted because that's the quality service she
paid for. But that's just me perhaps.

mom and pop shops are there to provide service. costco is there to
provide low prices on some items.

Take it to the jewelry counter of a store, and ask their help. Some jewelry
folks have done a LOT of these kind of thing, and will have it adjusted for
you very soon.

--

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
www.mormons.com


"Vanessa" wrote in message
oups.com...
How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band? (It's not
obvious.)

I bought, at CostCo, the Wenger Swiss Military 200m water proof watch
for my teen-age son's birthday for about 30 dollars (as he wants to
learn how to scuba dive in Monterey Bay).

His thin wrist in no way fits this Wenger watch band, even wearing his
wetsuit, in so much as at least two links need to be removed from the
stainless steel watch band, one on each side. Instructions supplied
with the blister pack do not explain how to adjust the band (presumably
it's so simple that we should be able to figure it out by ourselves
using a butter knife)???

His new Wenger Swiss Military watch band has six links on each side,
with two (I'll guess they're called) pins holding them together. The
three lower links on each side each have a 2 mm arrow embossed into the
center of the backside of the plates (for whatever reason, I don't
know). My son suspects that arrow is telling us the direction in which
to remove the pins holding the links to the watch band.

Further evidence these six links are the remove-me links are the fact
that a pin of some sort can be seen on a side view of the Wenger watch
band for these "arrowed" links only.

Problem is - how do we remove those 'pins'? If we punch them out with
an incredibly small punch (the pins seem to be about a half millimeter
in diameter), won't we ruin them? I mean, what holds them in? Friction?
If it's friction, won't we need new pins when we punch out the old ones
(presumably stripping the heads)?

The other thing is these arrows are not symetrical in that they are
only lined up with one of the two pins per link (that is, there is only
one arrow per link and that arrow is under only one of the pins per the
link).

Am I missing something fundamental here?
What's the trick to removing and replacing two links in a steel watch
band?

"SoCalMike" wrote in message
...
Greg Mossman wrote:
You don't get ****ed off that your customer bought their watch from a big
box store? If I were the jeweler I'd probably tell the customer to
return to Costco to get the thing adjusted because that's the quality
service she paid for. But that's just me perhaps.

mom and pop shops are there to provide service. costco is there to provide
low prices on some items.

True, but the mom and pop can't survive easily on just the service and soon
we have no place to go.

I've have found that on major appliances it is just as economical to buy
from the local dealer these days. Most belong to buyer's co-ops and can sell
as cheap as the big stores but they offer services that the big guys cannot
touch. Things like same day delivery and setup, hauling off the old
appliance.

More important, they are there fast if it breaks. Woke up one morning and
found the freezer died and it was beyond repairs. Called the dealer, he had
freezers in stock, but not the one I wanted. So, he brought another working
model as a loaner. Helped transfer the food. Came two days later with the
one I wanted, helped transfer the food back. Net loss was a half a
container of ice cream. Would Home Depot or Best Buy do that?
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

Vanessa wrote:
How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band? (It's not
obvious.)

They are all designed a little differently but generally bands with
arrows are friction fit and the pin comes out in the direction the
arrow points. There is also (generally) a place on the underside of the
band that allows access to push the pin out. Every once in a while I
run into one that the only way to remove pins is to push them through
from the opposite side. Be careful you dont use a tapered punch that
widens out the hole when you punch the pin out. You may also need a
hammer to punch it out. They usually do any plating on the band with
the pins in, which works like glue alot of times. Take the same number
of pins out of each side if possible. If not, take the extra pin from
the 6 oclock side. If you find the pin wont stay in after relacing it,
use a toothpick to put just a touch of super glue on the end of the
pin. There is also (usually) some minor adjustment in the spring bars
in the clasp. Dont overuse that or the watch will clasp oddly.

I bought, at CostCo, the Wenger Swiss Military 200m water proof watch
for my teen-age son's birthday for about 30 dollars (as he wants to
learn how to scuba dive in Monterey Bay).
His thin wrist in no way fits this Wenger watch band, even wearing his
wetsuit, in so much as at least two links need to be removed from the
stainless steel watch band, one on each side. Instructions supplied
with the blister pack do not explain how to adjust the band (presumably
it's so simple that we should be able to figure it out by ourselves
using a butter knife)???

Presumably you will get it done at the jewelry store where you
bought it. Thats one of the drawbacks of buying this type item (kind of
like dive gear) at a discount outlet or online. They dont need
instructions.

His new Wenger Swiss Military watch band has six links on each side,
with two (I'll guess they're called) pins holding them together. The
three lower links on each side each have a 2 mm arrow embossed into the
center of the backside of the plates (for whatever reason, I don't
know). My son suspects that arrow is telling us the direction in which
to remove the pins holding the links to the watch band.

Hes probably right.

Further evidence these six links are the remove-me links are the fact
that a pin of some sort can be seen on a side view of the Wenger watch
band for these "arrowed" links only.

Problem is - how do we remove those 'pins'? If we punch them out with
an incredibly small punch (the pins seem to be about a half millimeter
in diameter), won't we ruin them? I mean, what holds them in? Friction?
If it's friction, won't we need new pins when we punch out the old ones
(presumably stripping the heads)?

They are probably friction pins and, no, you wont need new pins
unless you take them out regularly.

The other thing is these arrows are not symetrical in that they are
only lined up with one of the two pins per link (that is, there is only
one arrow per link and that arrow is under only one of the pins per the
link).
Am I missing something fundamental here?
What's the trick to removing and replacing two links in a steel watch
band?

Take it to someone that knows what they are doing and has the
proper tools.

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
True, but the mom and pop can't survive easily on just the service and soon
we have no place to go.

all depends. if their prices are competitive on stuff costco doesnt
carry, they should still do well. a lot of mom and pop places sell used
estate jewelry and stuff like that, that major retailers wont touch.

ne333ro wrote:
Vanessa wrote:
How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band?
Presumably you will get it done at the jewelry store

I first called a nearby jewelry store I found in the phone book before
asking you.

The guy who answered the phone said it would cost "only $40" (which is
more than I paid for the Wenger scuba dive watch at CostCo).

I asked what he based that fee upon and he said it would take 20
minutes and he gets $120 an hour to fix watches so his estimate was $40
dollars to adjust the steel band.

After that, I didn't call anyone else as it was clear it would cost
more than the watch to have the band adjusted.

VCS

"Vanessa" wrote in message
oups.com...

After that, I didn't call anyone else as it was clear it would cost
more than the watch to have the band adjusted.

Bummer, unless you are just barely smart enough to:

A) Not buy a $40 chunk of **** watch that doesnt fit without having a
jeweler make the adjustment.

B) Do it yourself.

If you cant do either, be ready to pay someone who is.

"Vanessa" wrote in message
oups.com...
ne333ro wrote:
Vanessa wrote:
How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band?
Presumably you will get it done at the jewelry store

I first called a nearby jewelry store I found in the phone book before
asking you.

The guy who answered the phone said it would cost "only $40" (which is
more than I paid for the Wenger scuba dive watch at CostCo).

I asked what he based that fee upon and he said it would take 20
minutes and he gets $120 an hour to fix watches so his estimate was $40
dollars to adjust the steel band.

After that, I didn't call anyone else as it was clear it would cost
more than the watch to have the band adjusted.

I think the jewellers answer was a crock. Take it over to a cheap watch
kiosk at a mall. They'll fix it for ya for $5.

Vanessa wrote in message
oups.com...
ne333ro wrote
Vanessa wrote

How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band?

Presumably you will get it done at the jewelry store

I first called a nearby jewelry store I found
in the phone book before asking you.

The guy who answered the phone said it would cost "only $40"
(which is more than I paid for the Wenger scuba dive watch at CostCo).

I asked what he based that fee upon and he said it would
take 20 minutes and he gets $120 an hour to fix watches
so his estimate was $40 dollars to adjust the steel band.

After that, I didn't call anyone else as it was clear it would
cost more than the watch to have the band adjusted.

Its not clear at all, you dont know that they all gouge like that.

Did you actually ask costco what they suggest you do about it ?

Bet they do have some way to get the bands adjusted.

If they dont, buy one of the tools off ebay, it aint rocket science.

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...

Vanessa wrote in message
oups.com...
ne333ro wrote
Vanessa wrote

How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band?

Presumably you will get it done at the jewelry store

I first called a nearby jewelry store I found
in the phone book before asking you.

The guy who answered the phone said it would cost "only $40"
(which is more than I paid for the Wenger scuba dive watch at CostCo).

I asked what he based that fee upon and he said it would
take 20 minutes and he gets $120 an hour to fix watches
so his estimate was $40 dollars to adjust the steel band.

After that, I didn't call anyone else as it was clear it would
cost more than the watch to have the band adjusted.

Its not clear at all, you dont know that they all gouge like that.

Did you actually ask costco what they suggest you do about it ?

Bet they do have some way to get the bands adjusted.

And if they dont, return it for a full refund and ring around the
jewellers and find one that will match costco's price, tell them
what costco wants for that watch, and buy it from them and
get them to adjust the band when you buy it.

Vanessa wrote:

I first called a nearby jewelry store I found in the phone book before
asking you.

The guy who answered the phone said it would cost "only $40" (which is
more than I paid for the Wenger scuba dive watch at CostCo).

I asked what he based that fee upon and he said it would take 20
minutes and he gets $120 an hour to fix watches so his estimate was $40
dollars to adjust the steel band.

After that, I didn't call anyone else as it was clear it would cost
more than the watch to have the band adjusted.

nah that's total rubbish, he just doesn't want to do your watch so he
quotes a ridiculous price, just ask around its only a 5-10 minute job
for someone with the right tools.

I would hate to take a battery job to that guy, he would probably charge
$40 for a battery swap and no pressure test.

anyway the point is the tool is about $20, if you have a few bands to do
good, but if you only have one band it's a bit of a waste, it shouldn't
cost more than $10 to resize the band.

Vanessa wrote:

ne333ro wrote:

Vanessa wrote:

How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band?

Presumably you will get it done at the jewelry store


I first called a nearby jewelry store I found in the phone book before
asking you.

The guy who answered the phone said it would cost "only $40" (which is
more than I paid for the Wenger scuba dive watch at CostCo).

I asked what he based that fee upon and he said it would take 20
minutes and he gets $120 an hour to fix watches so his estimate was $40
dollars to adjust the steel band.

After that, I didn't call anyone else as it was clear it would cost
more than the watch to have the band adjusted.

VCS

got a deal then, didn't you?

--
Your ridiculous little opinion has been noted.

My diesel truck has been modified to run on an environmentally friendly
mixture of clean burning Caribou fat and whale oil.

"Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions"
G.K. Chesterton

The guy who answered the phone said it would cost "only $40" (which is
more than I paid for the Wenger scuba dive watch at CostCo).

I asked what he based that fee upon and he said it would take 20
minutes and he gets $120 an hour to fix watches so his estimate was $40
dollars to adjust the steel band.

After that, I didn't call anyone else as it was clear it would cost
more than the watch to have the band adjusted.

Had you bought the watch from him, it would have been free. What is his
price for the watch? Probably five bucks more but with the service you
require.

dAz wrote:
anyway the point is the tool is about $20, if you have a few bands to do
good, but if you only have one band it's a bit of a waste, it shouldn't
cost more than $10 to resize the band.

I don't mind buying the tool as you never know when you'll need them
and it's good to have the right tool on hand.

Do you know what it's called & where's a decent place to buy quantity
one?
(I'd never buy off of ebay though - it's 25% stolen goods according
to my friend's husband who is in the high tech crime unit of the police
dept).

So if you know of a non-ebay source for this tool, of quantity one, for
about twenty bucks - lots of us would probably like to know where to
get a deal like that.

Vanessa Cara Stancinni

"Vanessa" wrote in message
oups.com...

I don't mind buying the tool as you never know when you'll need them
and it's good to have the right tool on hand.

You sound like such a tool that I'm surprised you can't do the job by
yourself.

Do you know what it's called & where's a decent place to buy quantity
one?

It's called the watch-band disassembler thingamajig and they're available on
e-bay.

(I'd never buy off of ebay though - it's 25% stolen goods according
to my friend's husband who is in the high tech crime unit of the police
dept).

High tech crime unit? You mean he investigates car stereo thefts?

Trust me, there's not a huge market for stolen watch-band disassembler
thingamajigs even on ebay. The latest statistics, from my friend's wife's
cousin's mother's imaginary friend, is that less than 5% of the watch-band
disassembler thingamajigs sold on ebay are hot. The rest are legitimate,
sold by other good folk just like you who had to buy a $50 tool to fix their
on-sale-now $40 watches.

So if you know of a non-ebay source for this tool, of quantity one, for
about twenty bucks - lots of us would probably like to know where to
get a deal like that.

Vanessa Cara Stancinni

There's lots more like you? God help us . . .

Vanessa wrote in message
oups.com...
dAz wrote

anyway the point is the tool is about $20, if you have a few
bands to do good, but if you only have one band it's a bit of
a waste, it shouldn't cost more than $10 to resize the band.

I don't mind buying the tool as you never know when you'll
need them and it's good to have the right tool on hand.

Do you know what it's called & where's
a decent place to buy quantity one?

Ebay.

(I'd never buy off of ebay though - it's 25% stolen
goods according to my friend's husband who is in
the high tech crime unit of the police dept).

Very unlikely indeed that a tool like that would be stolen.

And its easy enough to avoid any risk of stolen stuff with
ebay, just look for one of the operations thats clearly
using ebay as a cheap way of doing online transactions
with a significant volume of the same stuff sold on ebay.

So if you know of a non-ebay source for this tool,
of quantity one, for about twenty bucks - lots of us
would probably like to know where to get a deal like that.

Makes a lot more sense to use ebay and recognise that a
tool like that isnt likely to be stolen, particularly if its unused.

Vanessa wrote:
ne333ro wrote:

Vanessa wrote:

How do we adjust a too-large stainless steel watch band?

Presumably you will get it done at the jewelry store


I first called a nearby jewelry store I found in the phone book before
asking you.

The guy who answered the phone said it would cost "only $40" (which is
more than I paid for the Wenger scuba dive watch at CostCo).

I asked what he based that fee upon and he said it would take 20
minutes and he gets $120 an hour to fix watches so his estimate was $40
dollars to adjust the steel band.

After that, I didn't call anyone else as it was clear it would cost
more than the watch to have the band adjusted.

that person obviously didnt want to be bothered, and blew you off. did
you tell them...

"i need a metal watch band adjusted"

or

"i just got this new watch at costco, how much to adjust the band?"

not that its any of their business whether its a 20 year old wenger
family heirloom, or a new one from costco.

Vanessa wrote:
dAz wrote:

anyway the point is the tool is about $20, if you have a few bands to do
good, but if you only have one band it's a bit of a waste, it shouldn't
cost more than $10 to resize the band.


I don't mind buying the tool as you never know when you'll need them
and it's good to have the right tool on hand.

Do you know what it's called & where's a decent place to buy quantity
one?

id call a few more jewelers. hell- take it to walmart, and tell em you
got it at the local sams club (walmart owns sams), mebbe theyll do it
for free.

(I'd never buy off of ebay though - it's 25% stolen goods according
to my friend's husband who is in the high tech crime unit of the police
dept).

So if you know of a non-ebay source for this tool, of quantity one, for
about twenty bucks - lots of us would probably like to know where to
get a deal like that.

Vanessa Cara Stancinni


usenet rule number one:

never use your complete name.

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
The guy who answered the phone said it would cost "only $40" (which is
more than I paid for the Wenger scuba dive watch at CostCo).

I asked what he based that fee upon and he said it would take 20
minutes and he gets $120 an hour to fix watches so his estimate was $40
dollars to adjust the steel band.

After that, I didn't call anyone else as it was clear it would cost
more than the watch to have the band adjusted.


Had you bought the watch from him, it would have been free. What is his
price for the watch? Probably five bucks more but with the service you
require.


uh- probably at least double the price, IF the jeweler carries wenger,
which he may not.

Vanessa wrote:
dAz wrote:

anyway the point is the tool is about $20, if you have a few bands to do
good, but if you only have one band it's a bit of a waste, it shouldn't
cost more than $10 to resize the band.


I don't mind buying the tool as you never know when you'll need them
and it's good to have the right tool on hand.

Do you know what it's called & where's a decent place to buy quantity
one?

yep either this one which will probably be fine with band on that watch
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=5004647 025
or this one which is a bit more versatile
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=5004751 962

first one will cost you $13 the second one about $21

(I'd never buy off of ebay though - it's 25% stolen goods according
to my friend's husband who is in the high tech crime unit of the police
dept).

yeah well you are being a bit paranoid, sure I suppose there would some
stolen goods on ebay, but in this case I don't think there is a real big
market in stolen watch tools, anyway its like anything, buyer beware,
you look at the feedbacks, specially what kind of feedbacks, buy from
high volume sellers with good feedbacks, I use ebay quite a bit and have
saved quite a bit of money in doing so, eg; I fly Radio control planes
or slope soarer's for a hobby, the last set of micro servos I bought
from ebay cost me $12 each, the same servo in the shops is around $65.

and I have bought this guy before for tools, he is quite good.


So if you know of a non-ebay source for this tool, of quantity one, for
about twenty bucks - lots of us would probably like to know where to
get a deal like that.

again I think its more than likely you will use the tool once and then
never touch it again, also if you snap the punch off in the band and jam
it then you are going to have a bigger problem.


there has to be someone near you that will adjust the band for $5-$10

"SoCalMike" wrote in message
...

usenet rule number one:

never use your complete name.

Why not?

Greg Mossman wrote:
"SoCalMike" wrote in message
...


usenet rule number one:

never use your complete name.


Why not?



spammers, they scan newsgroups for full names and real email addresses,
so if you suddenly start getting lots of spam, thats why, your use of
your real email leaves you open to that abuse


eg just use "Greg" or a nickname and put a spam blocker in your email

eg;

mossmanAT@qnetDOTcom

zog wrote in message
u...
Greg Mossman wrote
SoCalMike wrote

usenet rule number one:

never use your complete name.

Why not?

spammers, they scan newsgroups for full names

Nope.

and real email addresses, so if you suddenly start getting lots of spam, thats
why,

Not with the full name it aint.

your use of your real email leaves you open to that abuse

And its completely trivial for anyone with a clue to deal with that.

eg just use "Greg" or a nickname and put a spam blocker in your email

No thanks.

Rod Speed wrote:

No thanks.



whatever, I wasn't asking for your opinion, Rod

"zog" wrote in message
u...
Rod Speed wrote:

No thanks.

whatever, I wasn't asking for your opinion, Rod

No one asked for yours, gutless.

zog wrote:

Rod Speed wrote:

No thanks.



whatever, I wasn't asking for your opinion, Rod



Rule #1 of USENET:


Whenever you post anything, you're soliciting everyone in the world for
their opinion of what you wrote.



-hh