Wittnauer Chrono, How to remove this dial?

[DBROWN]

Hello all,

I just received this beautiful Wittnauer chrono but can't figure out how to get the dial off. There are no dial feet screws or latches that I can see. Anyone have any experience with this watch?

Thanks,

Darren 

[RichardHarris123]

Have you checked for screws in the side of the mainplate?

[DBROWN]

Richard,

There are no screws on the side of the mainplate.  This may be a press fit dial but I want to confirm with someone before I start torquing on it.

Thanks,

Darren

[nevenbekriev]

Some pictures from aside and of the movement itself are needed. Othervice it will be only guess.

[DBROWN]

Here some pictures from the side of the movement, around the entire circumference.

 

[Marc]

We will need a picture of the movement.

Quite a lot of movements (especially older ones) have dial feet that are held in place by screws that are accessed on the back of the movement, not on the side. If this is one of those and you try levering it of as though it is a friction fit you will not be happy with the result.

[nevenbekriev]

ADVICE: DO NOT TOUCH THE DIAL WITH BARE FINGERS!!!

Now, picture of the movement from the back side needed. The screws that hold the dial will show there

Edited October 28, 2023 by nevenbekriev

[DBROWN]

Hey all

First, thanks for all the replies. Second, I’m familiar with all manner of dial attachments. There are no eccentric screws for holding down the dial feet. This is a Venus 188 chronograph movement. I’m looking for someone with experience working on this movement.

 

Thanks.

[RichardHarris123]

There are dial screw but you can't see the eccentric part of the screw.  One I believe is highlighted in the second picture. 

[nevenbekriev]

Try this with the cyrcles. I know that You know, but they should be turned clockvise to unlock the feets

[DBROWN]

10 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

There are dial screw but you can't see the eccentric part of the screw.  One I believe is highlighted in the second picture. 

 

That’s it! Thanks so much. I never would have figured that out.

 

Darren

[RichardHarris123]

Where is the other one? 

[DBROWN]

Here is a picture of the two dial screws for the archives.

Thanks again for the help.

Darren

[nickelsilver]

2 hours ago, nevenbekriev said:

ADVICE: DO NOT TOUCH THE DIAL WITH BARE FINGERS!!!

 

1000% agree, also don't touch the movement with bare fingers.

[DBROWN]

Don't panic everybody.  The movement is going to be cleaned, after which I wear gloves.   The dial has a very intact layer of varnish and has since been cleaned and safely stored.  This is not my first rodeo.

[nickelsilver]

25 minutes ago, DBROWN said:

Don't panic everybody.  The movement is going to be cleaned, after which I wear gloves.   The dial has a very intact layer of varnish and has since been cleaned and safely stored.  This is not my first rodeo.

I understand, but way back in the day I finger handled some parts thinking they'll get cleaned straight away and just a few days later there was "tarnish". At least don't show pics holding parts in fingers to avoid this discussion haha  (I still touch parts with skin sometimes but only if I'm really sure it's getting cleaned straight away).

[DBROWN]

Indeed, photographic evidence of my hubris was the real mistake!

[nickelsilver]

I was looking at the previous side pics trying to figure out which movement it was, as wittnauer used some Valjoux 23/72 movements which also have the old school movement side eccentric dial foot screws.

[CYCLOPS]

the acid in your skin can etch into both the movement and dial, jmo.  Happy New Year