Wenger - movement damaged during crystal change

[Timely]

Hello,

I have a Wenger field watch, circa 1990's.  It is one of the Marlboro edition watches. 

The watch crystal was smashed and needed replacement so I decided to do this myself. I purchased a crystal press and digital micrometer and was successful in removing the old glass and installing the new glass.

The watch was running prior to this repair and has a brand new battery. After reinstalling the crown I noticed two changes.

1. When I turn the crown to set the watch, the second hand now spins along with the minute hand. 

2. The watch is not running when the crown is depressed. 

This was my first time removing the crown from a watch movement and I am guessing I may have disrupted something internal by doing it improperly. I did spent quite a bit of time fiddling around, poking here and there, searching for a lever to depress that would release the crown; before I finally discovered that there was a small screw holding it in. 

I'm wondering what my options are at this point.  Are there further repairs I can attempt as a beginner?  Is it time to replace this watch?  

Thank you very much for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Timely

[AndyGSi]

I suspect you've dislodge the setting lever as you should have just pressed the recess inline with the stem.

Can you confirm the number above the ETA which is the movement number.

[Kalanag]

The movement is from the ETA 804 series. Cousins offers the 804.114 (date at 6) and the 804.124 (day-date, date at 3) for just 9 bucks brand new. Using the date ring of your old movement in the .114 should work. You can also use the day-date version behind your existing dial most likely.

Edited September 1, 2024 by Kalanag

[AndyGSi]

My original post was wrong and you do just loosen the screw to remove the stem.

Movement could be an 805 depending on the size.

[Timely]

Above ETA is the word SWISS.  There are no numbers there. 

In the center of the black plastic there are the words "NO O JEWELS"

Along the edge of the movement there is a number 8 inside a circle. 

I don't see any other print. 

Is replacing the movement my best option at this point?  

I attached a new photo that is hopefully more clear and detailed than the ones included in the original post. 

Thank you!

[AndyGSi]

The movement number is probably around the edge under the white plastic spacer.

Did you remove the screw all together or just loosen it?

The problem with replacing the movement is the skill required along with the tools you'll need to remove and replace the hands.

[Timely]

I don't see any additional writing under the white spacer. 

I only loosened the screw initially.  After I replaced the crystal and reassembled the watch and noted that it was no longer ticking, I removed the screw completely and then replaced it. 

One thing I noticed is that the screw threads into the hole nicely as you would expect, but it will continue to spin once tightened, suggesting that I may have overtightened it and stripped the hole. 

I am also concerned that I lack the skill to replace the movement successfully. 

Are there any other options? 

I may be able to find a used watch of the same model with damage to the case or crystal for around the cost of a new movement. 

[watchweasol]

Hi  one way might be, with a pair of pliers grip the stem and see if you can remove the crown  and wiggle the movement out of the case, remove the white locking ring to gain a bit more room.   If the screw/pusher has gone too far or stripped the thread getting the stem out normally will be a bit difficult.  As far as identification , once removed and dial /hands removed there may be a number on the top plate.  Looking at the movement I would suggest ETA never in visaed  it being repaired  but rather replaced.

[AndyGSi]

3 hours ago, Timely said:

I don't see any additional writing under the white spacer. 

Sorry, just checked and the number is under the battery.

3 hours ago, Timely said:

One thing I noticed is that the screw threads into the hole nicely as you would expect, but it will continue to spin once tightened, suggesting that I may have overtightened it and stripped the hole. 

I think as you say you've stripped the thread so the only option is a complete movement replacement.

3 hours ago, Timely said:

I may be able to find a used watch of the same model with damage to the case or crystal for around the cost of a new movement. 

It all depends what the movement is but I'd be surprised if you could find a damaged one cheaper.

[Timely]

Thanks for all of the input. 

I do see some writing under the battery but am having trouble reading it. I will see if I can find a way to read the very tiny writing. 

I'm just wondering, for the sake of understanding what happened....over tightening that screw would have caused the symptoms I described in the original post?

Edited September 1, 2024 by Timely

[AndyGSi]

45 minutes ago, Timely said:

I'm just wondering, for the sake of understanding what happened....over tightening that screw would have caused the symptoms I described in the original post?

Yes, I'd expect that's the case because the screw isn't holding everything in place correctly.

[Timely]

Thank you everyone for all of your help and advice. It is much appreciated. 

[GPrideaux]

You may not have stripped any threads, it may just be that the setting lever that the screw goes into has been displaced when you removed the screw. If that's the case it may be repairable. If the alternative is to replace the movement, you really have nothing to lose. Just be careful when removing the hands and dial not to scratch/damage them. You've indicated you don't mind investing in some tools, so I'd suggest you first obtain a pair of hand levers (something like https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007403696753.html) and protect your dial by working through some clear plastic when removing the hands (see the first minute or so of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXUXpNeTKkI&t=36s&pp=ygUScmVtb3ZlIHdhdGNoIGhhbmRz). The dial will likely be press-fit into place with two copper dial feet attached to the back of the dial and fitting into holes in the movement, so you can remove it by gently prising it up away from the movement, again being careful to avoid any damage to the front of the dial. (You can see the ends of the dial feet at the roughly 3:30 and 9:30 positions in your photo above.) The setting lever should look something remotely like the one shown at https://www.buzzufy.com/image/cache/catalog/demo/1930-IMG_6789-4032x3024.jpg and only about 5mm long. If you find that it has come adrift, you may be able to coax it back into place to get the screw started, although that may be another whole story, and you'll probably end up needing to replace the movement anyway. But again, nothing to lose, right?