As part of our mission to promote strap changing as a lifestyle, the Bracelet Removal Tool is one of the accessories that we’ve always wanted to include in our product line-up. Changing straps has always been fun, and while watches with straps tend to be easier, the challenge was always there when it came to bracelet watches.
So when we first introduced it in June earlier this year, it was met with a lot of enthusiasm and delight to have a tool that you can own to help you remove your bracelets easily without risking scratching your watch or going to your nearest watch shop to get it removed.
Image: The previous version of our Bracelet Removal Tool
One of the main objectives of the bracelet removal tool was to ensure that you could now safely, securely, and easily remove your bracelets (so that you could put different straps on!).
Bracelets are a lot more challenging to remove than straps due to the way that they are designed. Most bracelets are attached to the watch case using spring bars, which are tension-loaded metal bars designed to keep the bracelet securely in place. The tension makes it challenging to remove them, as it’s meant to prevent accidental detachment.
The tight tolerances on bracelets are another thing. As bracelets are designed to fit snugly against the watch case, they leave minimal space to maneuver tools or fingers. Compared to leather or rubber straps which can be compressed, bracelets are made of metal and hence not compressible. This tight tolerance makes it harder to access the spring bars or pins.
Modern bracelets also come with solid end links, which add rigidity and security but can make removal trickier since they offer less flexibility. Finally, most modern watches do not feature drilled holes on the sides of the watch case, improving on the look of the watch but at the expense of ease of removing the bracelet.
With all these factors, it’s no wonder that most people decide to keep their watches on a bracelet. However, that also prevents any form of strap changing - where’s the fun in that!
While the first version of the Bracelet Removal Tool was good, we felt that we could further improve on it. Taking on the feedback, we went back to the drawing board and started the design process by focusing on four main points:
- A more ergonomic shape for easier grip
- A more compact size for carrying around
- Precise way of adjusting to the right width
The first thing we wanted to address was the overall design and group. While the previous version worked very well, it was a bit too large to hold and made it hard for smaller hands.
So we went back to the drawing board, taking what we liked about it and changed the rest. After some different iterations, it's now more ergonomic with a compact form factor that allows for an easier grip compared to the previous blocky design - gaining points both in form and function.
The resulting smaller size also made it easier to grip allowing for more confidence when removing the bracelets, which can be daunting for some.
One other thing we noticed was that when using the BRT, finding the exact width when adjusting it to remove our bracelets took some time. So we added in a ruler that’s engraved and paint filled into the body, so you can quickly and accurately adjust the width of the tool to match the lug width of the watch.
Finally, the tool has a wider range now, and can remove bracelets anywhere from 12mm to 24mm in width.
We see the BRT as more than just a tool. What it really is, is a key that puts the power in your hands to take the first step towards strap changing. You're not longer chained to the bracelet that comes on your watch. It’s time to pair it with a wide range of straps that you can play around!
You no longer have to make the drive to your AD every time you want to remove the bracelet, you can do it at the comfort of your home, or even at the next GTG just to show how different it looks on a bracelet and a strap.
