Slotted pin assortment Ø 1 mm, 4–21 mm

Introduction — This 1 mm split-pin assortment covers every common length used in watchmaking and leather goods. Supplied in a clear plastic compartment box, it contains 360 watch pins spread over 18 lengths — 20 pieces per size, from 4 to 21 mm. Split pins — also referred to as 'goupilles fendues', 'Splinte' or 'pasadores hendidos' — are essential whenever a leather, silicone or metal bracelet has to be secured to the watch case and the lug is not designed to receive a conventional spring bar.

Product overview

Each watch pin is machined from high-carbon spring steel for consistent elasticity. The body is slit along its full length: this very slit creates the pressure required inside the lug hole and prevents the pin from working its way out. The supplied storage box features a snap-on lid and 18 individual labelled compartments, eliminating any risk of mixing adjacent sizes.

Technical specifications

• Nominal diameter: 1.00 mm
• Lengths: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 mm
• Quantity per size: 20 pieces
• Total quantity: 360 pieces
• Material: high-carbon spring steel
• Finish: matt nickel-plated, corrosion-resistant
• Packaging: 18-cell plastic box with snap-on lid

When to use it

This assortment is intended for the enthusiast who frequently swaps straps, for the independent repairer and for any workshop processing a varied flow of vintage pieces. It is particularly handy for vintage mechanical watches, old chronographs, leather straps with split-pin keepers, and for general leather work (bag straps, reinforced buckle belts).

How to use

1. Measure the distance between the two lug holes with a digital caliper.
2. Select a split pin whose length exceeds the measured distance by 0.1–0.2 mm.
3. Place the strap between the lugs, aligning its eyelet with the hole.
4. Introduce the pin from the outer side, guiding it with the pin punch.
5. Tap firmly with a light watchmaker's hammer until the pin sits flush with the outer edge of the lug.
6. Check retention by gently pulling on the strap.

Quality and origin

The split pins we distribute are manufactured in Europe from certified spring steel. The nickel finish limits corrosion caused by perspiration. Diameter regularity is checked by random sampling on every batch. The box ships sealed to guarantee origin.

FAQ

Can a split pin be reused?
Once compressed inside the lug hole its slit loses part of its elastic memory. For professional work it should be replaced at every removal. For occasional private use one reuse is acceptable provided the pin is not visibly deformed.

How does it differ from a spring bar?
A spring bar contains an internal spring and two sliding tips and is fitted by compression. A split pin is a solid pin slit lengthwise; it is driven in with a pin punch and a watchmaker's hammer.

How do I know which diameter I need?
Measure the lug hole with a calibrated tapered gauge or by comparison with a known pin. For 1 mm the hole should accept the pin with slight resistance, never a free fit.

This reference — Split-pin assortment 1 mm – 4 to 21 mm — is part of our watch-tooling catalogue, aimed both at the informed end-user and at the independent repairer. All our products ship from our European warehouse with a short lead time; orders placed before 2 p.m. on a working day are usually handed to the carrier the same day. We pay special attention to packing: every tool is wedged in bubble wrap or a fitted carton to avoid any mark in transit. If you are unsure about compatibility with your watch, please email our technical desk with brand, model and lug width in millimetres: we reply within 24 working hours.

We also stock a complete range of complementary consumables: spring-bar assortments, split-pin sets, Viton-grade o-rings, polishing compounds and SR, CR or LR format batteries. Those references can be added to your cart to share shipping cost. Our logistics favours recycled cardboard packaging and our plastic boxes are returnable when applicable. A watchmaker investing in tooling does so for several years: our products are picked accordingly, with a brief that prioritises manufacturing consistency over the cheapest price.

Every order leaves the warehouse with a clear paper invoice and the appropriate customs documentation when shipping outside the European Union. Returns are accepted within fourteen days as required by European consumer law, provided the product is returned unused in its original packaging. Our technical support remains available after delivery and can guide you through your first installation by e-mail, with photographs if you wish; this complimentary follow-up is part of the value we attach to every tool we sell, regardless of unit price. We also welcome suggestions for new references that you would like to find in our catalogue.