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31,312 Posts
September 1st.
Bank holiday here so i have started the project a couple of days early while i had a little spare time
Disclaimer.
At no time do I say my methods are the correct way, best way, proper way or the only way just that these methods work for me
you copy or use these methods at your own risk J
Why have this project? Two reasons,
Bank holiday here so i have started the project a couple of days early while i had a little spare time
“Project” 6309 !!Case back removal, tools and methods.
Gather your tools together, sticky ball (blue is best LoL), Jaxa type back opener(mine is a cheepy and one of these days i will get a better one), case holder, cloth, bench vice and of course the project watch bought specially for the project from Ebay.
Try sticky ball first imo the safest method, by that I mean the method least likely to damage the case back. Method make sure the back is clean and the ball, place the ball on the back and then press down and turn anti clockwise at the same time, some times you will have to repeat this process a few times to get a good grip, hopefully now the back is turning J
So the case back has been put on by a power press or just never been opened in years (which can be a good thing or bad !!) but it will not budge with the ball so now we need the “heavy” equipment. First off I put the case holder in my small bench vice, open the case holder to the size of your watch and I then cover it with a micro cloth so that hopefully there can be no damage to the case, crystal or bezel. Now adjust the Jaxa type tool so that the tips are a good fit in the case back cut-outs, place the tool tips in the cut-outs and press down firmly on the top of the tool while gently putting pressure on the handle to turn it anti clockwise, don’t try to jerk it or do it to quickly just rather slowly put pressure on while at all times pressing down on the tool to keep the tips in the case back cut-outs and hopefully it has now started to move.
In all honesty this particular back started to come undone with the ball but I still continued with the other method because of the project!! What I will often do if the case back is being really stubborn and the Jaxa has to come out is to put electricians tape or any other tape I have over the back so that it I was to slip the tape would protect the case from damage in the form of a scratch etc (I hate to see case backs that have been scratched).
The case back is now off and our first look at the movement and case threads on the back and case, great this one has no corrosion to either, the movement looks to be very clean and running well (so it seems), at this point I also remove the old gasket that has normally gone flat with age and they often dry out and go brittle, I always keep a sewing pin in a pin vice as I find this tool comes in very handy for lots of little jobs like removing the gaskets etc, this gasket is not to bad thought still pliable and a bit of shape to it so this has helped the movement keep clean.
Observation time, movement clean and all the screws look good so not been butchered, corrosion around the edge of the ratchet wheel? , running, movement holder good complete with spring, case threads and gasket seat good and the same on the back cover so all in all first impressions are very favourable J J




Disclaimer.
At no time do I say my methods are the correct way, best way, proper way or the only way just that these methods work for me
Why have this project? Two reasons,
To perhaps help some of you guys to do a little more to your watches and have the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
Ulterior motive of mine to pick up tips from others