Many metal watch braclets come with a clasp which allows up to about 2cm of adjustment to the bracelet length. The bracelet can be shortened by moving one end of the end of the strap closer to the other end as described below:

1. Check if your bracelet clasp can be adjusted by looking at the side of the clasp to see if there are a number of holes which will allow adjustment, as shown in this picture. Decide approximately how much shorter you require the bracelet to be.

2. First open the clasp. To adjust the length of the metal braclet you will need to disconnect the end of the strap which connects into the clasp cover piece – the right hand end in this picture.

3. To disconnect the watch strap end from the clasp cover, use the end of a paperclip, or a tool such as a bradawl, or spring bar removal tool to compress one end of the spring bar holding in the strap end as shown:

4. The strap will then be disconnected from the clasp.

5. To shorten the length of the bracelet move the disconnected end of the strap closer to the clasp hinge. Once in the right place reposition the spring bar into holes on the side of the clasp cover which will hold it in place at the required length.

6. Refixing the spring bar into the holes in the watch cover can be a bit fiddly and a flat blade or spring bar removal tool can be helpful to do this.

7. The strap end is now refastened into position closer to the clasp hinge and the bracelet will be slightly shorter when fastened.