Can’t seem to remove Stem. Am I missing something?

[Mike1980]

A relative newbie to this and trying to learn. Even after taking all the Watch apart, I still can’t remove the Base Plate from the Case. The Stem will ‘click’ up and down but I can’t work out how to remove it. It seems to be the only thing that’s stopping me. Please help.

Many thanks

Mick

[rehajm]

Pocket watches are not in my experience so hopefully help will be along shortly…but consider you may have a two-piece stem that would pull apart with nippers or a little maneuvering of slots in the stem. Somewhere north of the winding pinion in the gap of the movement and case could be a clue?

[Mike1980]

Hi Rehajm

It definitely seems to be a two part stem. I’ve put it up to the Setting position but it won’t lift any further and unfortunately the Winder part is still engaged with the rest of the Stem. I’m gently trying prize them apart but mindful of not forcing it too much. Currently, I’m not sure what else I can do

Mick

[rehajm]

There’s assistance here for two piece stems. Can you get a photo of the division? It might help with guidance on a strong yank, twist or unscrew…

[RichardHarris123]

It looks like rust around the keyless works and other areas, it may be stuck. 

[Mike1980]

I know it’s a bit difficult to see but it was about as good as I could get.

Mick

[RichardHarris123]

It does look like a  split stem, so push from the opposite side from the stem. 

[Mike1980]

Thanks for the replies guys. I’ve been pushing, pulling, prizing. I’m gonna call it a day for now, I’ll persevere over the next couple of days

Regards

Mick

[JohnR725]

I don't suppose you have a picture of the movement before you disassemble everything?

 

then typically with American pocket watches the stem goes into something called a sleeve which in the image below would be part J that is threaded into the case itself. Then the square of the stem would go into a square in the pocket watch. So typically on American pocket watches you pull the watch how into setting and in the movement just pushes out. So other words you would push on the opposite side of the crown and stem and it goes out towards the front side. In other words the case screws pull the movement into the case so you just gently push on the opposite side and the movement should fall out.

somebody I believe said rust if there is rust they may be rusted together I was still poured out the setting and see if you can just gently push on the other side of whether or come out or not otherwise put something on the assembly to see if you can free it up.

 

 

 

[rehajm]

4 hours ago, Mike1980 said:

I know it’s a bit difficult to see but it was about as good as I could get.

Mick

yep. well, it is hard to tell from the picture. Can you pull the crown out and get enough play to get the movement out of the case a bit? You may be able to do that and manipulate things to disconnect the upper and lower…  

I see what could be the side of the female end so you may be able to slide it apart?

Edited August 27, 2023 by rehajm

[Mike1980]

Hi JohnR725

Unfortunately, I didn’t take a photo of either side before I started but this is a picture before I bought the Watch

 

 

….oops!, I just found this one too

 

Done it!!

…that was a bit of a struggle but all still in tact.

Thanks for all the replies

Regards

Mick

[JohnR725]

3 hours ago, Mike1980 said:

Done it!!

…that was a bit of a struggle but all still in tact.

I assume is probably rusted a little bit? As this is the standard way that older pocket watches go together for the most part. The problem of pocket watches are they were trying out all kinds of new ideas so this isn't 100% but at least with most American pocket watches this is the standard way they go together. The square stem mounted in the case slides into a square hole in the watch.

[CYCLOPS]

it came out like American style pockets, I have also seen bows get in the way of removal, good job ....