Custom crystal retainer die for Rolex/Tudor divers

[Tudor]

One other part I made on the "new" lathe is a proper strong and deep enough die to deal with tall crystals such as on the 1680 and VERY tall one of the 1655 (Sea-Dweller). Most foul on the crystal.

My old solution was a 30mm 12-point socket. it works, but it does not press the retainer flat and square relative to the case top surface, so I have to go back and "peck" it down with another tool all around the crystal...

Here it is: (The blue Tudor will be it's first victim)

 

[clockboy]

Nice. I have made stumps etc for my staking tools but I use brass which I find less likely to damage/scratch parts. So many more options are possible when you have access to a lathe. Wish I had room for larger lathe but!!!!!!! 

[Tudor]

This was going to be scrapped. They did scrap a second one, so I collected all the useful parts I could before it left. 

Then I spent a few hours cleaning it up. I had sprayed it down with oil prior but it was all browned up again. 

The compound was a project in itself. I had to figure out how to disassemble without breaking/loosing any parts. Hardingebuses cam bolts to tighten the locks for the compound angle. Those don’t come out easy after 50-odd years of neglect. 

[Tudor]

I made another one, a better one, for the 16610 case and it works fantastic! The bottom edge is at the exact angle of the retainer, and the inside step keeps it perfectly centered. Again tall enough to not foul on any crystal.

I have it drawn and can have more made if anyone needs one. Also made from 6061, they will be $165 each if anyone is interested. I'll eat the tooling/set-up cost but I need at least five committed before I give the go-ahead to make them. (photos are of my hand-made prototype) 

I will also refine and have a similar situation for the four-digit cases (refine what I made originally). I figure pricing will be similar, but no drawing yet to confirm pricing with the machine shop. Just PM me if you are interested.

Edited September 2, 2020 by Tudor

[BrianB]

I love to see folks make their own tools. That's the great thing about having access to a mill and lathe. If the tool you want doesn't exist, you make it.

I usually draw the thing in SolidWorks first, then print out dimensioned drawings, and then go to the shop and make the thing.

Great job on that!

[Tudor]

My solid works was a post it note. But I had the retainer with me to ensure it was fitting right. 
 

Now the drawing is in a 2-d drafting program. It does 3-d but I learned on auto cad lite which was 2-d. 

[BrianB]

I note with some amusement that I responded to this topic well over a year ago. At the time I was just impressed to see someone having made a nice tool. Now I find myself in need of this exact tool (a die to press the gasket retaining ring on a Rolex 116610) and I spent a few hours at my shop making one earlier today.

It's not nearly as nice as the one member-Tudor made - it's just a ring that can be used underneath the die in a crystal press. But it's a start.