offshore

This is a mystery, isn't it? Have you thought of asking Andrew? My only other guess is that it is a snap back, and you need to attack it from a different angle. Had a look at the other photos on Trusty's site, and I don't honestly think its a front opener. In this photo- you can see, I think, a slot between case back and case body. What I would do is to get an old screwdriver, maybe 1.2 or 1.4 and try to use it like a chisel , tapping it with a hammer, and see if you can get any movement. If you can try go in from an area above the lugs, you will not see any damage you may do, as readily. We do sell a wedge style tool for this purpose- http://watchbitz.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=486 Good luck. Offshore.

Don't think its a snap back. And I am almost 100% sure its not a front opener. The screws on these have a history of being extremely soft.. To the point they strip the 1st time they are screwed up. Sometimes the factories will even glue them in.....seriously. So depending on what happened when the attempt was made to unscrew them, we can look to the next step to cure the problem. Offshore

You say you tried to "untwist" those 6 screws. What happened? Did they just refuse to move, and you started to round out the slots? Or did they unscrew and just spin endlessly? ( And the caseback remained fixed in position) What quality screwdriver did you try to use? Offshore

Initially, from the 40's & 50's Von Buren, who owned Squale, manufactured generic cases, and sold them to many manufacturers. Companies like-Altanus Genève, Arlon, Potens Prima, Prima Flic, Jean Perret Geneva, Ocean Diver / Blandford, Deman Watch, Margi, Berio, Eagle Star Genève, La Spirotechnique, Wertex, Carlson Tavernier Geneva and Sinn. The rider was that the watch had to mention Squale on the dial. They then manufactured specific cases for a number of big players to that manufacturers design. Some of those supplied were Airin, Dodane, Blancpain, Tag Heuer, Doxa, Zeno and Auricoste, Then Doxa and Auricoste in their Spirotechnique versions and Blancpain in the Bund 3H. These gave Squale much international prestige in the 1970's In fact at that time Squale was basically a case manufacturer. Later still, they commenced manufacture of their own range, and it is interesting to note that at least one Squale shares its case with another manufacturer. Their Corrallone series has the Tag 4000 series case as its base. It would be interesting to know why something like that transpired, and who is the patent holder?? All the Doxa cases were from Squale, so I guess some slipped over to Breitling with the Doxa bezel. Maybe the Breitling next version was then a copied case....who would know now? But how did it transgress to Seiko via Scubapro? ::shakes head:: All records now lost and hidden by the annals of time I guess...it still is really an intriguing story. O/S

Its amazing what the ongoing search for that "grail" watch sometimes turns up. A Doxa - currently FS on ebay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300837459500#ht_500wt_1414 turns out to be a bastard son of Breitling - http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=44307 AND to have a another Breitling 1/2 brother, with more cross breeding via Scubapro to Seiko! To cap it off, all the little bastards had a quartz ticker! Can only conclude that there were some high levels of watch incest back in the 70's and 80's. That Breitling divers, which then traces through via Scubapro, to finally emerge as a Seiko, gives question to whether Seiko would have much claim to any patent action on that model. Especially when it is understood that the basis of the case for Doxa was initially from Squale. Lots and lots of "fathers" and "uncles", maybe even a freckled milkman came a courting? Sometimes its not such a flash idea to go digging into the family tree! Never know what skeletons may be dug up! Who wudda believed?? Offshore.

If you select "Express Post" you will get it next day. PO holidays are Tues,/ Wed, and then next Monday /Tues. So something out on Thursday should theoretically be there Friday, but if not it will be the next Wednesday. Then daily deliveries. If you go general mail its about 4-5 days. O/S

We have a few variable hole punches that many strap guys use. www.watchbitz.com.au Offshore

Be a bit careful with the measurements. There are a lot of questionable openers around. Have a look at my site and check the measurements there- http://watchbitz.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=409 What we have been seeing is firstly some dodgy case openers with varying measurements, then more lately some watches with case back measurements, that do not match anything! So the chances of getting a fit are reduced , at best! Which is why I am running measurements on these on my site. FWIW, we have had a couple of queries recently on Pam dies fitting as well. My guess at this point is that a dodgy watch has been produced, because until now our Pam dies have worked fine,. so until otherwise shown I am going with an incorrect case back on a Pam. Offshore PS You can use a multi point-http://watchbitz.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=49 which will open just about anything. A bit more care required, and you should have the case mounted in a holder to be very efficient, but its at least an adjustable answer.

My final word. I use the words "you can never be sure" And to that you agree. You will never be sure if you use a sticky ball that you have created a seal So stop encouraging a practise which is faulty. End. Offshore

The fact is you can't ever be sure of creating a seal with a sticky ball. You cannot apply sufficient torque. You can with decent tools. Too many newbs open their watch easily with a sticky ball, because it was never tight! And I challenge you to check a few reps, and you will find this to be fact. And then expect when they close the case back, that they are sealed, when in fact they aren't and never will be, Not whilst a sticky ball is employed. But you are welcome to continue with your pipe dream, just don't quote it as a matter fact to those learning the ropes. I think we have a duty to assist new members, not hand out poor advice. I visit China at least once every year, and I see with my own eyes how these watches are assembled, most case backs are finger tight , at best. Because either no tools, or sticky balls are being employed. This is the very reason we have so many failures in the rep scene. Its not worth discussing further, you have your view, and I have mine, and i know which is correct. Offshore.

FFS, If you just dive with the watch and it isn't sealed, its "Say good night" Which is why most who work on watches adopt a slightly less kamikaze approach to testing. It doesn't say any more or less about whether the watch is waterproof, it does say that anyone who uses diving as a test method, needs to look at their sanity! Thats like saying,-" I wonder if these air bags work." "OK I 'll run the car into a wall at 60mph to find out!" ::shakes head:: Offshore

And tell me just how you know when a watch is sealed, and when it isn't? A waterproof test, preferably with a vacuum and wet tester may give you an answer, anything else is just speculation. I regularly do strip downs and rebuild movements which have been drowned because novices insisted on using a sticky ball. There is a correct tool for the job, in fact a number of them, however the sticky ball is a shortcut, not a serious watch tool. If you look in my shop, you will see we sell them- http://watchbitz.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=52 And you will also note that even though we get the best of them, we make no claims as to their ability to close a case back. We sell them simply due to demand....there are many novices out there who initially think they can take a short cut. It is only after a couple of "leakages" that the sense in paying for the proper tool becomes evident. However please continue to live on blindly your own little world, serious watch repairers will use the right tools, and the amateurs will continue to gamble. Offshore PS Read my signature..

Seriously, Have you ever tried to undo a tight case back with a sticky ball? Let alone nip one up and actually get it water tight. Toys for the kiddies, not serious watch tools! O/S

@jackflash- Please read this- There are some dud dies around. http://watchbitz.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=51 However that photo looks way out, a lot worse than I have seen. If you would like to put a mic on the OD of the knurled area, I can measure it against a known 29.5 that works. But that looks way bigger...almost need a 36.5 DSSD die on that one.Normally the tools which don't fit are just a whisker too small, but that one you can see the knurled area almost completely. I think your case manufacturer is having a lend. Offshore

You wait until you see it in a week Admin! It will be beautiful like the fairy on top of the Christmas tree! O/S

Picked this up last night- an absolute steal! Zodiac Sea Wolf. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261137848922?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_500wt_1414 This is a mid 70's Sea Wolf with bakelite bezel, original Expandro bracelet, (almost impossible to find) and rare spade hands. These are making $4-$500 in not as good a condition as this one.( and not with a bracelet, they sell for $200 + on their own.) And as it happens i have a new crystal and a couple of spare links/springs for the bracelet if required. Nice, just a little something to go under the tree ! Offshore

Gee, thats a pain in the wrist! Hope it heals soon buddy! O/S

Hey Freddy, Do you like those? I also thought they were the answer, bought 20 sets, and no one bought them! Still have them sitting on the shelf. So I delisted them, and got these- http://watchbitz.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=284 and they seemed to strike an accord. But if anyone wants the photographed model here, give me a yell, and I will work out a price. Offshore.

Gee Fendi, Best you have a look at my Squale range then! www.squale.com.au Offshore

I have "posts since last visit" selected as an option. When I hit "view new posts" I get no result, but if I select "Last 24 hours, I then get a result. Also when editing a post, you hit "save" on many occasions nothing happens. If you go back a page, it then auto saves the edit. O/S Maybe its the issue below, highlighted by maxman, causing my problem?

Hey fendi, some of us are still around! O/S

Nice work! Enjoyed seeing that. Offshore

But TeeJay- Back in 2011 you said............(read my signature) And on that one we agree. The reason noobs become experienced is by doing their own due diligence, not bringing bloody QC pics onto the forum and getting others to do the work for them! I actually hate QC pics, because it is something that leaves the door wide open to lazy dealers supplying any old photo. There is no way you can be sure you get the watch in the photo, short of having your name engraved onto the dial. In the replica business it is a too simple job to swap any item in or out, to suit any purpose.. Offshore

What size clasp do you need? Gilt or s/s? I take it , its for a leather strap? Offshore

I think that is a tool for pressing case tubes, mostly for chrono pushers. There are a series of adaptors for various sized/style tubes. I have that tool although mine is marked 350-105. That one may be slightly different and is for holding chono pushers whilst attaching circlips?? Do you have the box or any fittings? Offshore