Jump to content

Cleaning Smiths De Luxe


jomcl67

Recommended Posts

Hi folks
I'm a total newbie here so please bear with me.

I have a Smiths De Luxe that was left to me by my late grandfather and I am trying to clean it up myself.
The watch runs for a few hours after being shaken so after reading what I could I decided to give it a go.

My problem is that I managed to get the back and the winder stem off but the movement is still firmly in place.
As pointed out to me by someone else, the dial is a lot bigger than the space at the back which would suggest that the movement
should come out from the crystal side.

Can someone confirm that this is the case? As I can't see any obvious grooves on the front bezel, I am reluctant to go any further until I know
for definite that this is the way forward.

Please see pics below and any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

oPjKHZ6.jpg?1

LmYo08B.jpg?1

b1TLTUC.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You'll need to do two things, one is to get a 'crystal lift' tool this will allow you to compress the acrylic domed crystal and remove it from the case. The second is to undo and remove the two case screws highlighted here. 5a43eaf5c46e1_casescrews.png.f606339ccbf9e858da3d33b18d7bbe39.png

A possible problem is the glass might be 'low dome', and won't work with the crystal lift but I do think it's 'high dome'. 

Edited by Ishima
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ishma beat me to the answer by a few seconds, and he has outlined the screws that need to be removed. I do think that if you have a single edged razor blade (or suitably thin edge) you should be able to separate the bezel and crystal from the case, which you will have to do to remove the movement. The bezel and crystal should separate together from the case if you carefully pry it away. But first remove those two screws that Ishma has indicated.

 

J

Edited by noirrac1j
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, jomcl67 said:

Can someone confirm that this is the case? As I can't see any obvious grooves on the front bezel, I am reluctant to go any further until I know for definite that this is the way forward.

No need for grooves to be on a removable bezel. it is also possible that the crystal has a step and won't come out with lifter. In that case as suggested above use a sharp blade like an X-acto knife all around, cautiously and slowly, until a bigger blade can be inserted. Then pry, do not twist..

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Bulova Accutron 2181 - had an open coil I managed to bring it back into life. Longines 9L - not serviced just pics   Eterna-Matic Centenaire "61" - 1438U - not serviced just pics. Longines Cal 431 - not serviced just pics Lemania Cal 4650 - not serviced, just pics.
    • attached is the tech /parts sheet. .   Can one ask how come it’s full of water. After being told that the waterproofing was not guaranteed.  Problem being electronics don’t mix especially withe the power source being attached.  You may be lucky but I should look out for a replacement movement or working donor to rob the movement from. C720.pdf
    • I thought this may be "right" forum to post this. After 7 months out in Switzerland I got my Navitimer back from Breitling. I had sent it off since its 20 years old to have a complete overhaul done... Nothing major wrong, but I did notice this seconds sundial skipping thingy.... $1300 later and 7 months later, I notice the 'skips' are still here unless the chronometer is engaged. I would think this is likely the hand binding up and maybe clearance with the dial, but at any rate Im interested as to whether this is something I should be returning the watch to Breitling for and insisting on being fixed. See below - 1 minute or so of regular running and then 1 minute with the chronograph engaged.  
    • A friend of mine just gave me an old pocket watch. The case is in very bad condition but the movement itself seems to be in a quite good shape. I can't identify which movement is this, since I have to find a missing winding stem. I attach few photos in a case somebody would be able to give some hints.  Thank's folks
    • Hello everyone, I recently received a request for advice on purchasing a vintage watch, a Waltham A-11 ORD. DEPT. I asked if they were aware that these types of watches have radioactive hands and dials... but they had no idea what I was talking about. So, I thought of creating a video that could help recognize them, starting from the distinctive details to using a Geiger counter. I hope you like it and find it useful for those venturing into the world of vintage watches. Bye.     
×
×
  • Create New...