Professional 1000 watch band pin problem

Greetings,
I'm new to the forum and have a question about a pin problem on the watch band of my 1000. Several weeks ago, I opened the box in which I store it and found that a pin had fallen out of the thin solid metal band on one pivot point where it attaches near the clasp. This of course meant that the band now was in two pieces where the pin in question had been holding it together.

I reinserted the pin and did not think too much about the incident until it happened a second time so then I decided this was a problem so I sought professional help at my local TAG dealer. I had emailed the manager who said to bring it in to have it examined. Well, I did that but unfortunately the store was very busy with Christmas shoppers so I left with the issue unresolved so now I'm turning to this forum for help
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I have no idea why this particular pin decided to slide out of its assigned location since the remaining sections of the band are quite solid. I would like to find out where/how and if I can repair it without replacing the band. Perhaps the pin after years of wear is thinner than it was originally, meaning that the friction fit that held it in place is no longer working. I imagine these pins can be found somewhere but I do not know the correct size/part number that would fit in this location on the 1000 or where to obtain one. Any suggestions or comments relative to this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Could you provide photos just to confirm which pin we're discussing?

The closeup photo identifies the pin that is in its slot because the TAG sales assistant replaced it when I was at the store.

It's the center link at the top of the lower photo

If it was me... I'd let the pin drop out (but not lose it!), then use a pair of pliers to squeeze the lugs slightly, then push the pin back in again. It's basically a friction fit, so you just need to ensure the friction is available.

But.... that's me: I'm a mechanically minded tinkerer. So if that approach hasn't been your immediate thought, then I'd suggest that it's not the first thing you try.

Good suggestion but I'm disinclined from taking that route because I don't see well enough to chance damaging the band.
My first repair thought was to use a thin film of superglue or something similar to glue it in place.
So I'm inferring from your comment that it's not that the pin has worn but that the channel is loose? I can't simply replace the pin to fix the problem?

That would be my guess, from your description, yes.

2 things:
first: I don't know which of the 2 metal plates which the pin holds together actually grip the pin (it could be the plate in the middle, or the plate that is "forked") One will hold the pin, the other will be loose (and needs to be loose).
second: I wouldn't use superglue, because you can't get "inside" the little lug to clean out the tiny bits of dust etc that will be in there. If you don't clean them out, the glue will only stick to the particles, and not the metal. (Also, superglue, in my experience, doesn't form a great bond with metal).

Any jeweller/watch-repair person worth half a pinch of salt will be able to do this repair with any effort, you don't need to go to a TAG dealer.

Just checking to see if anyone else has an opinion or is it the consensus of the board that squeezing the lugs is the best solution as RockBurner recommended?

More great points thanks. I'll do as you say and just take it to a local jeweler because as you've said they should be able to make this relatively minor repair

If you are comfortable using hand tools on expensive things, I think @RockBurner has the right approach. If you're not, take to a local watchsmith.

I do not feel comfortable trying to repair it myself because I'd be afraid I'd damage the watch so I'll leave it up to an expert watch repair person to restore the watch band

I understand. I'm a mechanic and I have no problem working on a $100,000 car, but I draw the line on my $500 watch.

I can understand your position. I also have poor eyesight due to botched cataract surgery and that's a major reason I won't touch my watch but even if I did see like a normal person I would defer to a watch repair person. It's not worth taking the risk thar might end up damaging the watch

The middle of the deployant clasp is simply folded steel that grips the pin (on the outside, not the middle) and it can open up over time resulting in the pin becoming loose. Very easy to remove the pin, tighten the loop, and reinsert the pin.

I understand you not wanting to do it yourself. It's a five minute job for anyone with the knowledge and tools, so don't let anyone charge you too much. Honestly, I'd probably do it for free (Brighton, UK).

I've been quoted 20 to 30 dollars which is very reasonable as far as I'm concerned. I'll gladly fork over that modest amount for a the repair

That's a fair price.

I thought so too