Vexing five-sided screw (CustomTime)

[DavidADav]

Ok, so I finally hit my limit on this one and had put it in a box out of sight and out of mind for a few weeks. It’s time to ask for help!

I purchased a CustomTime jump hour movement on eBay a while back, “for funsies,” but have been unable to open it due to a set of five-sided screws holding the case to the main plate. I have bought screwdriver sets online and tried everything I can think of to open them, but everything is too big or too small. 

Any suggestions? Does anyone know what type of screw these are and what the correct way is to open this movement?

 

Many thanks!

Dave

[DavidADav]

Anyone have any thoughts on this one?  Has anyone attempted to service one of these CustomTime movements?

[Marc]

I think that those look more like pressed rivets than screws. 

[JohnR725]

It seems a really Strange way to do things? Not that odd things don't occur every day in watch repair. Almost looks like inexpensive watches when they pressed something together it's a form of a rivet. But it may be a screw it just doesn't look right.

Find a piece of steel and just file the shape. I don't think you're going to find custom screwdrivers the right shape.

Just now, Marc said:

I think that those look more like pressed rivets than screws. 

I definitely agree with this

look at where the movement fits into the case in other words where is the edge of the case versus the edge of the movement and gently pry it's probably just stuck in the case back. There'd be no reason to have all those screws which I don't think are screws holding the watch to the case back

[WatchMaker]

Always best to identify the movement you're dealing with first. Invariably this information is stamped under the balance wheel. 

This is probably a Baumgartner so I'd expect you to see a 'G' with smaller 'BF' inside. But what's the model? Once you find this then some better info will become apparent.

Let me assume it's an 866 for now. In which case there's a helpful breakdown on this very forum at https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/14174-baumgartner-bfg-866/

And those five sided screws? Nope ... as you'll see they're just the top of the legs the plate locates onto.

[DavidADav]

You all were absolutely right - they weren’t screws at all. A little pressure and the movement popped right out!

Looks like “Trice Watch Co.”

Thanks!

[DavidADav]

2 hours ago, WatchMaker said:

Always best to identify the movement you're dealing with first. Invariably this information is stamped under the balance wheel. 

This is probably a Baumgartner so I'd expect you to see a 'G' with smaller 'BF' inside. But what's the model? Once you find this then some better info will become apparent.

Let me assume it's an 866 for now. In which case there's a helpful breakdown on this very forum at https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/14174-baumgartner-bfg-866/

And those five sided screws? Nope ... as you'll see they're just the top of the legs the plate locates onto.

You’re absolutely right! BF 866!

Good call.

[JohnR725]

just in case you need the parts list

2529_BFG 866,866.31.7.pdf

[WatchMaker]

Hi @DavidADav- glad that was helpful. You did the right thing by not forcing and asking first. Good luck getting your 'digital' watch going!

[DavidADav]

17 hours ago, WatchMaker said:

Hi @DavidADav- glad that was helpful. You did the right thing by not forcing and asking first. Good luck getting your 'digital' watch going!

Thank you! It is now serviced and running like a champ. I cleaned up the case as well, and now just need to outfit it with a new strap. I’m thinking of throwing on a 70s style cuff, since it’s a unique piece.