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Free watch to whomever can get this open

This is the place to learn all about watches and how they tick. Share your knowledge and how-tos with the rest of the class.
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by Sporkboy »

I kind of feel like this should be live streamed or something. Is that how hungry for real entertainment I am? I think it is.
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by tommy_boy »

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Just my $0.02 USD as always.
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by Boourns »

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I wish that watch were 38mm?
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by TheJohnP »

[mention]watchpalooza[/mention] has until May 9th to show off the movement on the Social Distance Summit.

The clock is ticking!!
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by AndyS »

watchpalooza wrote: Fri May 01, 2020 12:12 am Had no opportunity during the week to do anything robust, but tried the ball and caseback wrench a few additional times with no success.

Alright, so the hardware store may be opening up again this weekend....if so I will try the following:

1) Liquid Wrench soak to loosen the seal. From this comparison, it seems to be the most effective penetrating oil:
2) Build a jig to hold the watch - have lacked the materials during lockdown
3) Start with case wrench, failing that epoxy a nut to the back and bring out the impact driver
Another thought, look at large sockets. You may take the watch in and find something like a ~32mm 12 point socket that you can fit over the case back that might line up with those indentions, too. Problem is most of those larger sockets are probably 6 point.

Something in this type of realm. If you have calipers, it may get you in the ballpark, but just take the watch and see if you can find a match.



Or this might actually work. I generally don't like these things, but for your use case? Maybe.



As to the jig, I used the tool in the top right corner of this set (black with the wing nut), and screwed it into a board that I could stabilize. You can run a wood screw right through those holes.

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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by watchpalooza »

AndyS wrote: Fri May 01, 2020 2:11 pm
watchpalooza wrote: Fri May 01, 2020 12:12 am Had no opportunity during the week to do anything robust, but tried the ball and caseback wrench a few additional times with no success.

Alright, so the hardware store may be opening up again this weekend....if so I will try the following:

1) Liquid Wrench soak to loosen the seal. From this comparison, it seems to be the most effective penetrating oil:
2) Build a jig to hold the watch - have lacked the materials during lockdown
3) Start with case wrench, failing that epoxy a nut to the back and bring out the impact driver
Another thought, look at large sockets. You may take the watch in and find something like a ~32mm 12 point socket that you can fit over the case back that might line up with those indentions, too. Problem is most of those larger sockets are probably 6 point.

Something in this type of realm. If you have calipers, it may get you in the ballpark, but just take the watch and see if you can find a match.



Or this might actually work. I generally don't like these things, but for your use case? Maybe.



As to the jig, I used the tool in the top right corner of this set (black with the wing nut), and screwed it into a board that I could stabilize. You can run a wood screw right through those holes.

The gator may work....great idea. I need something 14-sided with a 30.4 mm diameter. The black watchholder I have already tried, but perhaps with a wooden jig around it could work. Unfortunately still waiting for the hardware store to reopen to retry. Project tabled for now.
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by Animal Mother »

Any progress?
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by watchpalooza »

Animal Mother wrote: Tue May 12, 2020 12:24 pm Any progress?
Tried today with the freeze / penetrating oil. It definitely freezes and stays cold for 15+ minutes. But having a hard time getting a good grip on the caseback. The ball does it but not enough torque. The case opener slips off. The wrench does not fit (not enough clearance). May have to try epoxy with a nut as suggested by Sporkboy.
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by Stretch44 »

What are you using to turn the ball? Just your hand? Maybe an oil filter wrench would help.

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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by Stretch44 »

Have you given up?
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by PetWatch »

There are all sorts of spanner wrenches. Don't know if it would grip better, but its a new avenue to explore.

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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by Boourns »

At this point, would it be worthwhile trying to just like dremel saw it open and then try to find a replacement case back?
I wish that watch were 38mm?
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by watchpalooza »

Stretch44 wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 10:39 am Have you given up?
Not yet...but have put the project on hold as work has gotten crazy busy.
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by lew_zealand »

Is it possible the caseback is threaded backwards and you want to try twisting in a clockwise fashion?
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Re: Free watch to whomever can get this open

Post by AndyS »

lew_zealand wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 7:15 pm Is it possible the caseback is threaded backwards and you want to try twisting in a clockwise fashion?
This could be genius. Or the ultimate troll! :)
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