Breitling Blackbird ETA 2892-A2 w/ Dubois Depraz 4500 'big date' stem removal - am I being dumb?

[onecarefulowner]

Bit of a weird one, and I'm sure I'm just being idiotic, but it's always worth asking before doing any damage!

It's a Breitling A44359 'Blackbird', which seems to have an ETA 2892-A2 with a Dubois Depraz big date module (4500 maybe?), and I'm stumped as to how to release the stem. If I use the normal 2892 setting lever pin to release the stem, it does so, but then the stem only moves out a mm or so and no further. Having a closer look, the stem is passing through/linked to what seems to be a clutch wheel of some kind (moves back and forth with the stem, and will not pass through the case). This is the first time I've seen a case ring quite like this. The watch runs fine. I just wanted to blow the many dust particles off the dial and give the interior side of the crystal a clean (doesn't show on cam, but there are remnants of a finger print in there). Looking at the movement I don't think the last person to work on it was particularly sympathetic..

I've taken some pics, but I'm not much of a photographer!

 

[RichardHarris123]

Pull the crown out to the second position, time setting, then push the button.  Should come out. 

[Nucejoe]

 First time I attempted to service one these , I asked for advice from my late watchrepairman, he had over 56 years of experience. ( Pardon me please ), he said   " Dubois depraz will service you ".   , he was right.

My expensive experience is yours now for free, you see, things can unexpecdly go wrong. 

Rgds

[onecarefulowner]

58 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Pull the crown out to the second position, time setting, then push the button.  Should come out. 

No dice. The stem is released, moves maybe a MM, and then no further.

 

10 minutes ago, Nucejoe said:

 First time I attempted to service one these , I asked for advice from my late watchrepairman, he had over 56 years of experience. ( Pardon me please ), he said   " Dubois depraz will service you ".   , he was right.

My expensive experience is yours now for free, you see, things can unexpecdly go wrong. 

Rgds

I don't want to service the module Just remove the movement. Someone will know how to release the stem, I'm sure.

[Nucejoe]

8 minutes ago, onecarefulowner said:

No dice. The stem is released, moves maybe a MM, and then no further.

 

I don't want to service the module Just remove the movement. Someone will know how to release the stem, I'm sure.

Oh, no shortage of master watchmakers on this here forum.

keeping fingers crossed , there be no mishapp. 

Good luck 

 

Edited April 4, 2023 by Nucejoe