[howie77]

No sorry, that's a somewhat beguiling title at this stage as I'm nowhere near there yet! But, I do have a query if anyone has any suggestions?


Basically, have acquired a bunch of parts to build up a 6309-7040 (albeit will have to use aftermarket dial and hands - sorry purists!) but am a little short of bits.


Any ideas whether anywhere might still carry the crystal retaining ring, or is there a decent substitute or DIY alternative?


Also, in Isthmus' superb guide in point 2 under 'Movement' he mentions the movement spacer and pressure spring. Well, I have the off white notched plastic movement gubbins, but a bit confused as to the pressure spring - I do have what looks like a metal notched spacer but it doesn't really look like a spring...


Could anybody point me in the right direction here?


If it helps, I'll post up pics as to what I do have in front of me - have to be tomorrow though as it's fast approaching 2am UK time, and I'm knackered from the mental strain of trying to work out what goes where....


thanks guys,


Howie

 

[howie77]

Thanks all for your replies, really useful stuff.


I am lacking then a few bits - posted elsewhere re the crown stem spring and washer - but the movement pressure spring was a new on one me. Tried a brief assemble using movement and plastic movement spacer then screwed on the back - though without gasket at this point or inserting crown stem - and there did seem to be some rattle. May have been as there was no crown to hold it in place, or the spring might be more fundamental than I realised!


Going to be sending the assembled piece of for a service, I wonder if the missing spring might be replaced or substituted at that point?


The bezel shim is a curious one, I do have a wafer thin washer type affair to the same diameter as the bezel insert - so this goes in between? I will put up pics of what I have.



Oh, hello again Clockworks, hope all well!


cheers, Howie

 

[howie77]

OK, so here's the parts laid out, this is what I have.

The plastic movement holder, and unidentified metal ring! Can anyone identify this?

Bezel and inserts. Are the thin metal 'washers' the shims?

And lastly, the crowns .. no springs or washers! Apologies for awful focus, just couldn't nail it.

So, assuming the parts all clean up and the movements are serviceable, does this look like the basis for a rebuild guys?


Thanks all,


Howie

 

[howie77]

Crystal retaining rings are available from an eBay seller in the Philippines: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130401171101


I've had quite a few 6309s, and all of them just had the plastic ring, no spring. Not sure if there should be a spring, but all of mine are nice and tight without one.

Any idea if those crystal retaining rings are NOS or instead left over from spares/repairs? As many of the Philippines 6309's are restored I presumed that some of their spare parts might be from non-runners that have been dismantled...?


edit: must learn to scroll down! Specifies new....

 

[howie77]

They are new reproductions. I've fitted 2 so far. They fit the case perfectly, but may need sanding down very slightly on the inside edge to clear the bevelled edge of the crystal. Easy job that takes a couple of minutes with a small piece of medium wet-or-dry, and ensures a perfect fit.
The original rings seem to have been cast from some kind of "monkey metal", while these repros are machined.

Sounds good with me! Just checking first with KKH services in Guildford whether they can get hold of any first, less waiting time or risk of loss in the post...


I did notice one thing interesting, to go back to the movement pressure spring query - seems there is an aftermarket alternative by way of a metal movement spacer, slots over the movement once its in the case, notched to fit around the crown stem. Suspect that these might be what those odd things are in my pic with the plastic movement rings....


Thanks again mate,


Howie

 

[howie77]

The metal rings are not after market they are the original movement holders and should have a spring running round the top of them.

The plastic rings are your dial spacers that go between your dial and movement.

Your crown/stems look as though they are missing the male section as well as the spring and washer.

Ah, just when I thought I might have been in luck! Slim chance I know, but is there anywhere to get hold of the spring needed? Or an alternative instead? Wonder if I can DIY one out of wire perhaps....!


I think with the crown the male stem section is actually in the crown head itself as there is the notched stem aspect inside which fits in the female section - my poor picture doesn't really make this very evident! A lazy option might just be to get the new complete stem as the missing washer might prove a little troublesome procuring..!

 

[howie77]

First, I find it hard to believe "They fit the case perfectly" when they need alterations to actually fit over the crystal Secondly, the crystal retaining rings are indeed supposed to apply downward pressure on the crystal while at the same time holding tightly to the case. Did you try using a crystal press to install the retaining rings before altering them? Have you done appropriate pressure/vacuum tests on cases with these aftermarket retaining rings to ensure they are doing their job correctly? Not going after you on the subject, but I would be careful to recommend an unproven aftermarket part that may potentially need alterations to fit in place. Hence my questions.


Oh and lastly, I see evidence of machining on original rings, why do you think they "have been cast from some kind of 'monkey metal'"? I don't argue that it is possible they were rough-cast and then machined to dimensions, but why call them "monkey metal"? Those that are cracked and rusted in my experience have obviously been ill-treated/cared for over many years.

Sorry, was so busy typing I missed your post... Interesting point - and I actually have one of those cracked rings (ooer missus!) you mention, I was half tempted to break out the loctite and just glue the join! Erm...


But in all seriousness, I had been looking at NOS or aftermarket as I wasn't entirely sure that once used and removed, an old one would retain enough tensile strength to withstand being reused, not just crack or split under the pressure of being pushed on again - guess the only way to tell is to try..