Extra Fiddly Smiths Empire

[rehajm]

I'm having difficulty trying to case this Smiths Empire. I've managed two others previously but this one is a bit different- a case tube. I'm aware of the Smiths procedure of depressing the stem screw to allow clearance to slide in the stem but the trouble is with this design when the stem is inserted the case presses on the dial and does not allow sufficient clearance to depress the stem screw. Any ideas? Is the case really two pieces? If it is I don't see where the bezel ends...

[watchweasol]

I had one like that and I ended up removing the crown fitting the stem and slotting it into the case minus the crown, then refitted the crown and managed to get enough grip to tighten the crown down with a dab of loctite.   

[rehajm]

5 hours ago, watchweasol said:

I had one like that and I ended up removing the crown fitting the stem and slotting it into the case minus the crown, then refitted the crown and managed to get enough grip to tighten the crown down with a dab of loctite.   

Thanks- I’ll give that a try!

[rehajm]

UPDATE: Brilliant. The Loctite won't arrive until tomorrow but the stem is fully functional in the finger tight state for the moment so I'm calling it...

[watchweasol]

That’s great , glad it worked for you, A lot depends on getting enough space to nip up the crown. I think the problem is that the nib that fits into the crown wheel is a tad too long and you just can’t get the clearance right, but no matter it worked.    Cheers