Movement case rings (for ETA) - where do you find them ?

[mikepilk]

I found a nice NOS case (stamped with '2789 0567 360') for an ETA 2789 movement I have. 

Great - just drop it in, and a smart new watch. 

Problem is, the movement case ring is too wide to fit the case.  So my question is -

Anyone know a good supplier of movement case rings  - or is it just ebay ?

There are a few on ebay which look suitable - the 2789 is the same diameter as 2824, 36 etc.

 

The existing ring is quite chunky - I only need to lose 0.6 mm to make it fit. I'm going to see if I can fix it to a drill somehow 

and use a file on it  (whilst wearing goggles)

 

Edited February 10, 2021 by mikepilk

[watchweasol]

Give Cousins a look.  I know they do an assortment for retro fitting, whether they do specifics i dont know.

[mikepilk]

7 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

Give Cousins a look.  I know they do an assortment for retro fitting, whether they do specifics i dont know.

That's always my first search - didn't see anything suitable

[LittleWatchShop]

What are the dimensions...ID, OD, height?

[mikepilk]

26 minutes ago, LittleWatchShop said:

What are the dimensions...ID, OD, height?

Inner dia 25.6 mm, outer 28.5 mm. Height about 2.5 mm

[LittleWatchShop]

20 minutes ago, mikepilk said:

Inner dia 25.6 mm, outer 28.5 mm. Height about 2.5 mm

These kinds of things are certainly possible using 3D printing.  I just threw this together as an example.  Can be far more complex lines if needed.  Lots of 3D print shops around that will print your stl file too.  You don't even need to invest in the printer.  Just an idea.

[mikepilk]

18 minutes ago, LittleWatchShop said:

These kinds of things are certainly possible using 3D printing.  I just threw this together as an example.  Can be far more complex lines if needed.  Lots of 3D print shops around that will print your stl file too.  You don't even need to invest in the printer.  Just an idea.

I thought the same, and have been browsing 3D printers on Amazon this afternoon !

I've no experience of 3D printing - but was considering something like this 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08DR3WCV5?pf_rd_r=EAGSGGBV9W97H6V5B3NS&pf_rd_p=6e878984-68d5-4fd2-b7b3-7bc79d9c8b60&pd_rd_r=8d24a0b5-2ebb-484f-8e1d-0c716f116a7f&pd_rd_w=Keueh&pd_rd_wg=wx3l9&ref_=pd_gw_unk

[LittleWatchShop]

8 minutes ago, mikepilk said:

I thought the same, and have been browsing 3D printers on Amazon this afternoon !

I've no experience of 3D printing - but was considering something like this 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08DR3WCV5?pf_rd_r=EAGSGGBV9W97H6V5B3NS&pf_rd_p=6e878984-68d5-4fd2-b7b3-7bc79d9c8b60&pd_rd_r=8d24a0b5-2ebb-484f-8e1d-0c716f116a7f&pd_rd_w=Keueh&pd_rd_wg=wx3l9&ref_=pd_gw_unk

My experience is only with FDM style 3D printing (where you feed a filament into a nozzle and it is melted and added to the whatever is below it.)  SLA printers start with a liquid polymer that is selectively cured as the image is pulled from the liquid.  I hear that SLA printers are more accurate.

I have been 3D printing for about three years and I wonder how I ever lived without it.  Super utilitarian.

The software I use is open source, so there are no costs or licensing issues.

[mikepilk]

I'm tempted to get one - I'll do some more research first

[LittleWatchShop]

28 minutes ago, mikepilk said:

I'm tempted to get one - I'll do some more research first

I have a Lulzbot Mini.  The 3D community is really high on the Prusa which is sourced from Europe.  If I were to buy one today, I would start my research with the Prusa.  I like my Lulzbot a lot, but it is becoming a bit dated in terms of capability.

I have printed battery inserts for my Wittnauer Electrochron, custom boxes for my electronics, stand to hold a pocket watch, replacement handles for my oilers (my dad would put the broken ones in a drawer and buy new ones), custom threaded bulkhead for my water collection system, on and on.  When I bought it, I had no idea how I would use it other than for custom boxes for my electronics.

[LittleWatchShop]

More complex designs can be done.  I do not consider myself an uber designer...more of a hacker.  Your imagination is your limit.

[Nucejoe]

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-Military-WEST-END-WATCH-CO-PRIMA-Automatic-MOVEMENT-SS-WATCHES-R2/224194467209?hash=item3433081589:g:6ocAAOSw8GFfh1Vf&redirect=mobile

Hi Mike. I hope this link would open on your device, it shows a kind of movement ring integrated with dust cover, I got a dozen of them and would need a day to check OD on them for one that fits in the case you have bought. It would be one made to house eta 2789 .

Joe

[Nucejoe]

26 minutes ago, Nucejoe said:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-Military-WEST-END-WATCH-CO-PRIMA-Automatic-MOVEMENT-SS-WATCHES-R2/224194467209?hash=item3433081589:g:6ocAAOSw8GFfh1Vf&redirect=mobile

Hi Mike. I hope this link would open on your device, it shows a kind of movement ring integrated with dust cover, I got a dozen of them and would need a day to check OD on them for one that fits in the case you have bought. It would be one made to house eta 2789 .

Joe

Forgot to mention that my tablet did not open the links in your post, I need to see the case  and  its back plate.

[Graziano]

This comes in handy when hard to find https://www.jewelerssupplies.com/Speedi-Fit-Watch-Case-Filler.html

[mikepilk]

6 hours ago, Nucejoe said:

Forgot to mention that my tablet did not open the links in your post, I need to see the case  and  its back plate.

I couldn't get the images loaded yesterday - it's worked now

[Nucejoe]

On 2/10/2021 at 11:49 AM, mikepilk said:

I couldn't get the images loaded yesterday - it's worked now

Hi Mike,  The movement itself is 5.9 mm thick, dust cove would add about 1.5 to that, so you need like 7.4 mm depth inside the case, Not all brands use dust cover. I think I can tell if you case accomodates a dust cover if I see its inside and the back plate.

 

 

[mikepilk]

2 minutes ago, Nucejoe said:

Hi Mike,  The movement itself is 5.9 mm thick, dust cove would add about 1.5 to that, so you need like 7.4 mm depth inside the case, Not all brands use dust cover. I think I can tell if you case accomodates a dust cover if I see its inside and the back plate.

 

 

Hi @Nucejoe. I solved the problem. I pushed the ring on to a felt cone polisher on my electric drill. With the drill clamped to the desk, I used a fine file to take the ring diameter down until it fit. ( I wish I had a lathe)

The only problem then was about a 0.5 mm gap between the dial and the inside of the case. Fortunately I found a thin gold tension ring from a glass which fitted perfectly. 

As @LittleWatchShop suggests, a 3D printer would be good for making this sort of part.