pannie

Thanks for the encouraging words but I think I will be sending it to a modder to be fixed because it broke due the alignment of the movement and the case crown hole - so that needs to be corrected and I would like the cannon pinion fixed too. Are there any suggestions of a modder I can use in the UK? pannie

Hi, I bought hand presses and a hand puller on eBay for about 6 pounds; I wouldn't suggest trying without them; then I gently held the end of the hand with tweezers and pressed down the centre when I was sure that is was aligned. pannie

I posted a message last week because I planned to assemble a Marinda Militare with a Panerai Cali dial and gold hands, when this is how the build progressed... Firstly I cleaned up the back of the dial Then I removed the second pin from the movement because the cali dial doesn't accommodate seconds I attached the dial - double sided tape because the dial dots hadn't arrived yet I then attached the hands (twice because I didn't align them properly the first time) Next I removed the crown stem, carefully, and slotted it in the case to be attached with 2 mounting screws Next was to cut the crown stem to size (making sure it was too long first and then trimming gradually) After getting it to the right size I wanted to set the time and wind it and then DISASTER struck! My crown stem snapped of after a single turn. Now I am in trouble because part of the crown stem is still stuck in the movement! My sad tale. pannie

Thanks for the info and you're right I'm not a lefty so no destro required. I checked the movement last ight, found the holes through the movement that dont' match the current dial pins so they will be removed (I have ordered dial dots) and so will the seconds hand be removed. I am waiting for some tools to arrive but I will keep you posted on my progress. pannie

Okay, but I want to learn - I'm going to try and if I fail then I will replace what I break and sent it to a watchsmith. pannie

I don't plan to disappear, I would like to contribute to the forum and I will post pictures and lesson learned when I'm done. I had several known problems at the begining of this post and I now have solutions or work-arounds for each of my queries so I feel that I can progress and nobody emailed me a Wiki section. I realise this is a challenge and I would like to undertake it. pannie

I accept what you are saying and I don't want to waste this forums time. I have the details I need and get started. Thanks for all the assitance and replies.

Yes it's a 6497, I only have this picture and the one I posted earlier. Even if the holes are there (and I just haven't spotted them yet) what do I do with the two studs sticking out the back of the dial? I don't have my camera with me so I can't post a picture of the back of the dial.

Let me rephrase that - I'll look for dial dots to secure the dial - not glue.

What you are saying makes sense but there certainly are no holes that go all the way through the movement where the dial can be screwed on and the pins don't have holes in them to take screws. So I gues I wll have to glue it unless you have another suggestion?

Thanks for the note about the seconds pinion but there are two large pins at the back of the dial that I though I will shorten with a Dremel and does the dial need to be stuck to the movement or will the hands and the pressure when in the case secure it? The case is 44mm so the dial fits. Cheers pannie

I have purchased a Marina Militare case, dial, hands and movement all off eBay and I would like to undertake the assembly myself. I have purchased some of the tools that I need but I have discovered some gaps in my knowledge. If someone could offer some assistance or a tutorial of watch assembly that would be appraciated. Known problems: The pins on the back of the dial are to long, should I remove them and how do I attach the dial to the movement? What is the best way to clean the case and crystal before assembly? Should I wear gloves during assembly? How far to I turn the screw to remove the crown and are the tips and trick to messuring the correct lenght of the crown stem? Parts purchased: Thanks. pannie