Jump to content

A little tip that may help someone.


Recommended Posts

As a complete novice I am somewhat nervous about offering tips to you experts. However I had occasion to remove the caseback from my GS Mk2 pocket watch. It is so well machined there is virtually no visible joint to put a blade in without scratching it plus I did not know if it was screw on or not. I was thinking I needed a suction device which I don't have.

After a few vodkas I came up with the idea of using the suction windscreen mount off my Garmin sat nav. It worked a treat. I also used it on my stepdaughter's Rolex ''replica'' which is tiny and has the authentic style Rolex caseback.

I'm sure you guys have tools for every occasion but this tip might just get a hobbyist like myself out of trouble.

  • Like 5
  • Thanks 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I had a similar brainwave for a different problem. There is a watch called the Seiko UC-3000 which has a battery that is a bit large for the design and is a very tight fit. The temptation to use an little leverage to get it out is great, but it sits in the middle of a large coil. Half the watches in this family that don’t work you can bet someone has damaged the coil trying to change the battery. Little suction cups for 29p iirc from my local shop did the job. Plop one on the battery and you can get enough pull on it to get it out without damaging the coil.

dfd9940842aab7eeafc4f400ef76253d.jpg

3432e6c1b89951a2937fb31faafc0cb8.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have one of those cheap “sticky balls” that I use to start Case backs. It helps avoid cross threading as it limits the pressure downward as you rotate. 

The dies tend to want decent pressure to stay engaged and that is more than a tiny lead-in thread should see. 

The sticky ball allows rotation with little downward pressure. 

Start by rotating backwards (unscrew) until you hear the click of the lead dropping in. Then screw it on until snug before switching to the die to snug it up fully. 

Another case back tip for stubborn ones is to invert a can of duster air so the super cold liquid comes out and spray the back until it Frost’s up. Then quickly get the die on there and start unscrewing. This worked for me with a titanium back on a titanium case. That stuff loves to gall. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Tudor said:

I have one of those cheap “sticky balls” that I use to start Case backs. It helps avoid cross threading as it limits the pressure downward as you rotate. 

The dies tend to want decent pressure to stay engaged and that is more than a tiny lead-in thread should see. 

The sticky ball allows rotation with little downward pressure. 

Start by rotating backwards (unscrew) until you hear the click of the lead dropping in. Then screw it on until snug before switching to the die to snug it up fully. 

Another case back tip for stubborn ones is to invert a can of duster air so the super cold liquid comes out and spray the back until it Frost’s up. Then quickly get the die on there and start unscrewing. This worked for me with a titanium back on a titanium case. That stuff loves to gall. 

    god show;   also,  after "the click" or if you don't hear a it.  before you start the screw,  look to see if the open edge slot is even all around the case.  vin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • 🤔 leaving the EU meant that UK was no longer part of the convention and have already been turned down an independent reapplication. I'm pretty sure courts have to be held in Switzerland in this case. There will be a lot more watches stashed away in draws  tbh, folk wont be able to afford to maintain them. Cheap watches will be bought and top end watches by folk with plenty of cash that can pay for service and repair. The expensive once in a lifetime gifts and everything else inbetween will be at the forgotton when they stop working. I know i was being a numpty, get used to it 😄 Anybody that knows will boycott them, but besides repairers who will know. Nope will never buy one, i made that decision as soon as i learnt about this. 
    • although not in this case.  It was the Lugano Convention and its deficiencies that allowed a Swiss court decision in the first place.  This isnt really a Brexit issue at all.  A decision that affects both the EU and the UK should never have been heard in Switzerland. I bet the authorised service centres in the UK are pretty pleased.  It's a massive shame, though; I believe watch owners should be able to choose to have their watch serviced by whoever they trust.
    • Hi guys I think that old hippy is correct, it opens the gates for china to manufacture aftermarket spare parts. considering that they already do work on behalf of the Swiss I guess this decision gives the a little more legitimacy to tool up and I am sure they will take advantage of the situation either with or without the blessing of the Swiss watch industry  Having read about the protectionist machinations of the Swiss in the history of Europe they were the only ones to get fat at everybody else’s expense. I think the outcome could have been guessed at but ,  fair play to Cousins UK for standing up to them.  Now the question,  will everybody boycott Swiss watches and Swatch, no way they will still fill their coffers.  Me I stick with the Japanese once renowned for cheap shitty watches who came good through industrial effort and don’t for get the Russians that most dismiss as low grade crap. Wouldn’t buy a swatch product ever how about you all.? a
    • Hold the crown when in winding position, move the click away from the crown wheel, and then while holding the crown let it slowly unwind. I recollect that you must remove the automatic device bridge first, but maybe I'm wrong. You can first try without removing the automatic device bridge.
×
×
  • Create New...