Champion deployment - remove links?

[DForbesVA]

Hi all,

I bought a vintage Champion deployment watch band, and I can't figure out how to remove an extra link. As usual the links have holes on both sides. But not as usual, they appear to be spring loaded from the center. I can push the pin in from either side, and it pops right back out again. I don't want to break it by pushing it hard from one side until I understand how it works. Do you have to depress the pins from both sides? Any assistance would be appreciated. 

[oldhippy]

I see you have moved the watch band in as far as it will go in the clasp. When you push the pin in can you not move it a little so it doesn't pop back in. The other thing is all the links that can be removed have been take out and what you have is the links that look the same but nothing can be removed. 

[DForbesVA]

Thank you oldhippy. So even though those links have holes on the side, you don't think they are removable? I will try  your suggestion to push in the pin and move it to the side a little bit, to see if it will stay in. I appreciate your response. 

David

[AndyGSi]

6 hours ago, oldhippy said:

The other thing is all the links that can be removed have been take out and what you have is the links that look the same but nothing can be removed.

Looks like there's 1 removable link on each side.

Even if all the links had been removed you'd still be able to break strap to add links back in.

[oldhippy]

If those links with holes are dummies you won't be able to remove them without damaging the band. I have seen so many that look as if they can be removed  but they can't, its a case of try and see. 

[CYCLOPS]

those links with holes look removable to me, you just have to figure out what type of pin is used, some are folded type, some are spring type, some are serrated and there is a type that uses a center notched tube and matching pin

[DForbesVA]

Thank you oldhippy. So even though those links have holes on the side, you don't think they are removable? I will try  your suggestion to push in the pin and move it to the side a little bit, to see if it will stay in. I appreciate your response. 

David

Cyclops,

So I can push the pins in from both sides...and then they just spring back out again. Is there some trick to pushing them in from both sides to remove the pin? Do you have to do both sides at the same time? 

[oldhippy]

How about putting a long pin or screw driver blade small enough to go into the hole so it can push the pin in a vice, then push down on the top end in the hole and move it a little so in cant go back in the hole. 

[DForbesVA]

Cyclops,

So I can push the pins in from both sides...and then they just spring back out again. Is there some trick to pushing them in from both sides to remove the pin? Do you have to do both sides at the same time? 

Hi all. So I figured it out. There was a pin in the center, with springs on both sides. The outer parts of the link are connected and move in unison. So I had to push one side pin in, and pull the link end up a bit, then try the other side. At least one time I managed to do both sides as once and the link outside ends rotated up and I was able to disassemble it. But it wasn't easy...