My first watch mod: never again…
Trying to put on weight at the minute and have noticed my wrist swelling and making my Tudor feel a little tight in hot weather.
Bought a Steel Reef on the fly extension to remedy that. @Moonboots reminded me they existed with a post they’d made, ages ago Adrian Barker had posted a video of one that I’d forgotten about too.
My word man. This took me about 40 minutes to do. The instructions were very difficult to find without literally Googling “steel reef instructions,” I may be ignorant here but I could not find anything about instructions on their website. No instructions were supplied in the package either. The site at least advised me at the point of purchase that I’d need a 1.4mm screwdriver. I didn’t realise I’d need a spring bar tool, so I repurposed an old ear ring of my partner’s! Ended up stabbing my thumb pretty badly during the installation with the screwdriver and bleeding all over the watch.
Now, all of this sounds like noob problems and for the most part, correct. I could have done with a bit more help from the manufacturer by providing a quick how-to in the pack if I’m honest. I have only ever used quick release straps so this is all very new to me.
The extension seems to work, but if it’s not on my wrist, it doesn’t seem to lock into place like I’d expected. Without it on my wrist, the ‘click’ to shorten it doesn’t seem to hold very well. Perhaps that’s alright given that it’s going to be on my wrist when I’m using it? Means a little more care when putting it on I suppose!
I’m not a big man for mods in general, but man…if it takes any trial and error I think I’m out. Fair play to all you that tinker away with your watches, I don’t know how you do it. Next time, I’ll just buy my next Tudor with on the fly from the factory 😂
Irish watch enthusiast in London.
Nice job finishing it out though! Pretty lousy of a company to sell items that few people know how to use, and not provide thorough instructions.
Thanks! I can't be too harsh, as it did pop up first after a quick search. The extension seems to be about 5mm! It's quite loose when extended, but apparently they're working on one that has more graduated measurements. Out for Grand Seiko already.
Ah I’m sorry that it ended up being such a pain! I agree that a little insert in the packaging would be helpful. I had adjusted links on my Black Bay with the screwdriver before so was adept at that process… but I did encounter the issue you’re noting with the link initially not snapping into place.
The spring bar used in the clasp for microadjustment is a 16mm spring bar, but the one I had in my Tudor to begin with was (I believe) 1.5mm. I purchased a basic 16mm x 1.8mm thick spring bar to use for the microadjustment end at the clasp, and the added thickness of the bar causes the extension link to snap into place with a satisfying click. As you can see in the pic below, it actually stays clicked in through tension even if I’m holding it by the clasp.
Just gone with the uncle Seiko half link for mine as they are back in stock. Considering the price of the steel reef I would expect more in the way of instructions. Also reviews seem mixed about it locking securely in place.would be interested how it holds up long term. Fingers crossed the half link will work for me.
The main thing is that you stuck to it and figured it out. Anything "worth-while" is going to be hard. Hard work yield results every time. Modding watches absolutely tests your metal. Patience is one of, if not the main virtue here. Took me a long time to feel confident working on a watch. But, I can now do thing I never imagined I could do before. Good job friend!!
My workstation...
Ah I’m sorry that it ended up being such a pain! I agree that a little insert in the packaging would be helpful. I had adjusted links on my Black Bay with the screwdriver before so was adept at that process… but I did encounter the issue you’re noting with the link initially not snapping into place.
The spring bar used in the clasp for microadjustment is a 16mm spring bar, but the one I had in my Tudor to begin with was (I believe) 1.5mm. I purchased a basic 16mm x 1.8mm thick spring bar to use for the microadjustment end at the clasp, and the added thickness of the bar causes the extension link to snap into place with a satisfying click. As you can see in the pic below, it actually stays clicked in through tension even if I’m holding it by the clasp.
Nah you’re a legend for the recommendation! At the end of the day I now have the feature I wanted 😄
Those are good tips. I’ll have a look now, I’ve never even taken it off the bracelet before!
Just gone with the uncle Seiko half link for mine as they are back in stock. Considering the price of the steel reef I would expect more in the way of instructions. Also reviews seem mixed about it locking securely in place.would be interested how it holds up long term. Fingers crossed the half link will work for me.
The half link should make for a decent fit! It was probably about a half links worth I needed. Hopefully if I reach a few goals then I’ll need the extension sooner rather than later anyway 😂
The main thing is that you stuck to it and figured it out. Anything "worth-while" is going to be hard. Hard work yield results every time. Modding watches absolutely tests your metal. Patience is one of, if not the main virtue here. Took me a long time to feel confident working on a watch. But, I can now do thing I never imagined I could do before. Good job friend!!
My workstation...
That’s some set up!
I have been curious about these. 5mm seems like too large of an adjustment. I’m not sure what one click on my Ward is, but that seems like the perfect amount of variation.
5mm is too much of a step, for my wrist size anyway. I'd rather get the uncle seiko for a perfect fit (swelling ignored).
sometimes Youtube is better than Google for finding and doing stuff. There are a couple videos there for installing those links. Just enter steeldive in the search field
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P49kbpZTyn0
sometimes Youtube is better than Google for finding and doing stuff. There are a couple videos there for installing those links. Just enter steeldive in the search field
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P49kbpZTyn0
Thanks! I’ll try there in future, I admittedly don’t venture into the wild on YouTube outside of my existing subscriptions.
I installed one on my BB58. It works well, but it could be a little shorter to make the adjust a bit more close to micro
5mm is too much of a step, for my wrist size anyway. I'd rather get the uncle seiko for a perfect fit (swelling ignored).
Totally agree. Needs to be 2mm increments at most I would think. 3 x 2mm would be a good combination of range and resolution
Just fitted the Uncle Seiko half link and so far it's sorted my cold weather 🥶 issue. Colour match and finish is pretty much spot on for my bracelet.
Hope yours is still working as well
Just fitted the Uncle Seiko half link and so far it's sorted my cold weather 🥶 issue. Colour match and finish is pretty much spot on for my bracelet.
Hope yours is still working as well
Looks like a great fit!