I have just acquired a watch where the links are held together with a 'tube and screw'. I have searched forever for a decent photo, but this is the best I can come up with. To remove the link, in theory, you need to hold a small screwdriver on the screwhead and on the other side, use another small screwdriver to unscrew the fitting. However advanced years with a tremor now doesn't allow me to do it. Is anyone aware of a tool that will hold one side in place whilst allowing the adjacent side to be unscrewed? All the sub £5 tools don't have even a screwdriver head, just a push pin remover...

Got a local old school watch repairers close by ? [not Timpson's] Could be worth a visit if you have.

If you need a fine headed screwdriver I adapted a scalpel blade, blunted the point but the edge was fine enough to get in the groove, sorted my watch out that way.

Son has a Tag Huer watch, he wanted the strap shortening on his, because it was a Tag Huer Timpson's saw pound signs and wanted £30 to do the job!! Like hell he said so purchased a watch repair kit off ebay, in the set was a suitable tool that enabled us to get the job done.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235832563276?_skw=watch+repair+kit&itmmeta=01KB0G44RGPDEEEZ2TQ4VRSWVV&hash=item36e8b7564c:g:sXAAAOSwc3lnOAJF&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fx41t3153hsey07M5fBxG5h8%2Fgj1zDYZMCgfuVW4MamUVcep95p2i5VKJash9W9xmZuyjrJ3EjSAeG8wA91%2F24mIjh%2F%2BlHVzMxNDnZJxqVLUhKo6jw2YZ%2BodqceIaKKVGC2aX2If2hJjsz7N9CoU51jdX2czErPzk%2BOzo1hMLffDLhG6Vfpr3DJlkNnS5OD1BZBxoRJii7fS%2FCPRNpv9BPG90MG3xZnOjIkc83Had66MHLoTPrtizup4RuPaGlKKmBR5uIUz9xKk4y1TMRdtGMaYhltml16ovaZsUsmSKkRw%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8zMkJDYZg

On another note of fine screw drivers, I've a similar set like this, use them for my model making though.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/197725287242?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D295742%26meid%3D6f7e3ea7443a4dd8b34503e5d36d2a9d%26pid%3D101875%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D236348907037%26itm%3D197725287242%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimVIDwebV3WithCPCExpansionEmbeddingSearchQuerySemanticBroadMatchSingularityRecallReplaceKnnV4WithVectorDbNsOptHotPlRecallCIICentroidCoviewCPCAuto%26brand%3DAnchor&_trksid=p2332490.c101875.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A1977252872426f7e3ea7443a4dd8b34503e5d36d2a9d|enc%3AAQAKAAABoG96wQ16jds4VFcrhy1F3d4mbwZUJI9Fs%2BgdXYAHIzlX2e3YaNh7x%2BEnKA3G%2BCqSl1Xn4McfcWFK1GytmS2qxJ87mtE8Gm3iR1Ja4WBwh0hNHJrJx3Ki5mp04ow4CO7lP%2BooCybZDDU%2BbbSwmg7CbTin%2BBzBzbCYVnbjvyQAHu6--HI4MB7SvJl5IJqlyvomgoLMlgT6qAJzX0SANJhty2cJJGQMMcZbA0YagUbDtN%2BX5wuP0HZ3Wxeu90WVwzpmfCkD9msZIjL7iOHs4jzNO%2FS3TcGFBRPNH%2FURK%2FS2nulbCcyxZk4jkIcmgJ1Xyad%2Bbbp3zp8bN%2FbrLhK%2FG9L9CVlLhm%2B2XEX4s0MiMkxiZsi6csByxxJjtzMhvJoq4FOGrYVcBdr1lrLbxkc8Kpn24Po8BdSz78I%2FozHdOuli9UM7njT2lACTZuchWgJV4dN%2FkzXijm%2B6I1iA%2FbQLH%2FrWLsQS48D9QJVJRU0zGwsmgQh6Frf%2Fa7Vue%2FI8CmX0bSm8yv85Md51Ir9xHI84NQlpaaXM%2FdjkEpQ2Ck%2BKy98t%2F5ke|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A2332490&itmmeta=01KB0GJ97N5JF47N1MSVXXTPNH

30 minutes ago, Ian Lanc said:

On another note of fine screw drivers, I've a similar set like this, use them for my model making though.

I have numerous small screwdrivers having done my own watch pottering for 40+ years. The issue is I can no longer hold one side steady whilst unscrewing the other. My hand tremor is just too great. I need a tool that would 'clamp' onto one side, holding it still, whilst I unscrew the other side. I can visualise the exact tool I need in my head but fear it hasn't been invented yet 🤣

(Similar to holing a round ring socket over a a nut whilst undoing the opposite nut..., though on a much smaller scale)

Sounds like a tiny set of mole grips and a cloth would work.

Unless the only visible part is the domed end of the screw head?

Just now, TomsFocus said:

Unless the only visible part is the domed end of the screw head?

yep, the screw is flush to the surface 😨

See if you've got a proper watch shop near by, better than slipping and stabbing your hand.

1 minute ago, StephenFord said:

Another thing you've got to look at carefully is some of them screw heads may well be screw heads but others decorative push together screw heads.

 

1 minute ago, Ian Lanc said:

See if you've got a proper watch shop near by, better than slipping and stabbing your hand.

Sadly, i''m housebound for the next month or so. I have never used a jewelers in my life (having been one in my life some years ago!) Will likely wait for the new year which in reality is a 10 minute job...

1 minute ago, Ian Lanc said:

Another thing you've got to look at carefully is some of them screw heads may well be screw heads but others decorative push together screw heads.

 

Definitely real screw heads, I managed to remove one after much time LOL

3 hours ago, StephenFord said:

Definitely real screw heads,

Hi Stephen, well in for a penny, in for a pound, here's my idea.

If you have some thin bare wire, for example 15 Amp fuse wire or better still bare tinned copper wire, then you could place it in the slot of the screw on one side. Then loop the wire around the strap and use some pliers to twist the two ends together and tighten the loop. This should then stop that screw head from rotating.

I'm not sure if you will get what I'm trying to explain, I can make up some pictures if needs be.

Some examples of wire:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144466561735

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315053505843

Just received the following from Invicta on querying how to shorten their watch bracelet...

Dear Stephen,

Thank you for reaching out to us. We understand the excitement of wanting to wear your new Invicta 44123 Sea Spider watch. The bracelet links with a 'tube & screw' fitting can indeed be a bit tricky. Typically, one side needs to be held steady while unscrewing the other side. You might need a small precision screwdriver set to hold one screw in place while you unscrew the other.

Unfortunately, we don't have a specific tool available on our website for this task, but a precision screwdriver set might be handy if you don't have one already. These can often be found online or at local hardware stores.

Looks like my technique is correct, just the execution all fouled up!

Could you hold one screwdriver in a vice then hold the bracelet with one screw head on that while you use the second screwdriver on the other screw head?

4 minutes ago, mjt said:

Could you hold one screwdriver in a vice then hold the bracelet with one screw head on that while you use the second screwdriver on the other screw head?

If I had 3 hands, that would be perfect LOL

23 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

If I had 3 hands, that would be perfect LOL

Unless they all shake!

I think he meant a bench vice, but there are still too many angles to try and co-ordinate both screwdrivers.

It might be possible to tape a small screwdriver into one side.  Tape from the bracelet link, long ways up and over the screwdriver, then back down onto the other side of the bracelet.  But I don't think you'll be able to get the screwdriver to stay in the right place, and hold tightly enough.  Also high chance of scratching the bracelet.

Letting someone else do it probably is the best option.  I know how frustrating it is though when you can see how something needs to be done, but just don't have the dexterity for it.  I've had a minor shake for the last few years.  Still get p*ssed off every time food drops off my fork between plate and face.   

Yes, sorry, I did mean a bench vice. I just thought it would be easier to hold the bracelet to locate one screw head on the fixed screwdriver rather than fiddling with a screwdriver in each hand.

I never think of a vice as anything other than bench-mounted .

All done, though it did involve buying the most expensive watch tool I have! I have a toolbox full of watch tools collected over 50 odd years but all cheap 'ebay' type stuff. This one is a precision instrument of real quality. It acted like an 'anchor' to lock one side screw in place whilst a screwdriver loosened the other. I'll likely never use it again, but who here hasn't bought a 'specific' tool for a one off job LOL It started off at £20 but tax and postage took it to £30.Still, very satisfying doing it yourself.

1 hour ago, StephenFord said:

very satisfying doing it yourself.

There's life in the old dog yet !! 😉

Well done, a bit of perseverance and a little gizmo and the job's sorted. 🎉