Big Waltham Won't Come Out Its Case!

[noirrac1j]

Hello everybody,

I was fortunate enough to get five watches donated to me in the name of Science and one of them was this big Waltham--it is about 36.5mm not measuring the crown, which is a tiny little nub at the 4' position. The watch is running and I opened up the case and found what I think is a Seiko movement, but it is marked as Waltham. The funny thing is, when I removed the little crown and unscrewed what I thought were the case clamps, the movement won't come out at all. It spins, it taunts, it runs, but it won't come out. I just put it back into its case and began working on something else. I want to remove this watch from its case! Does anyone have experience with a Japanese Waltham? I can't help chuckling to myself even writing it....

 

Also, How do I  let the mainspring down on this thing?!? Thanks for any help!

 

JC

 

 

You can see the little crown here at the 2' position

This is where I removed one of the screws and ...nothing

 

[WillFly]

To answer one question: Waltham were owned by a Japanese company - Heiwado - between 1976 and 2011 before being acquired by another, non-Japanese, company.

 

As for getting the movement out of the case - might it be another front loader?

[Geo]

Again I'm with Will on this one, it certainly looks like a front loader.

Have a close look at the edge and see if there is a break line just under the crystal. If there is you will need a very thin blade to split it, if not you will have to remove the crystal using a crystal lift.

[rattandsonwatchmakers]

release the stem via the detent button...my feeling is that it is a front-loader....

[noirrac1j]

Hello there,

Yes I see a small small space between the case and the bezel. Is this what you are referring to Geo? Rattandsons I have removed the stem but it stays in. It must be a front loader which I don't like at all--its like a 60's Omega Seamaster Deville only weirder. I have access to scalpel blades so I'll guess I'll try that if I can't lift the crystal. Thanks.

 

JC

[anilv]

On releasing the mainspring tension..

 

First you have to remove 1/the rotor and 2/the automatic winding bridge.

 

You will then see a litlle metal tongue which is the click (as done by Seiko).

 

Anil