pr0digy30

Stuck Crown + BIC Lighter = SUCCESS!

Thanks to Nanuq for the suggestion. Literally I had the crown over the light for a second and it popped. It would re-stick if I pushed it in so I WD-40'd the heck out of it. There is still something amiss in it though, as it doesn't seem to thread as completely/easily as other crowns. TD is sending me a new crown FoC anyhow.

But glad I wasn't totally defeated on this one.

Nanuq, thanks for the offer. Going to try a lighter tomorrow... hopefully it's just glue. But I'll keep you posted.

WD-40 spa bath did not help, even with my brother the strong man trying to pull it apart... will have to try heat next.

Chi... thanks, will give it a shot!

Nanuq... lookng good, still could use a little CG work though!

Have this unknown movement in a cheap TT Sub I picked up a few years ago in Dubai.... qualitty stuff with plastic movement holder. Hey, it was my second rep but that doesn't mean I love her any less!

Looking to replace the movement, but the datewheel is actually printed on metal (open 6's and 9's), so a swap to a DG2813/4813 is not possible.

Have one of the Josh 5512's... this one has been sitting in my box pretty much since I bought it, for a project... but thought I would play around with it recently. Did not abuse the watch when I popped the crown out, but it seems the inner springy tube of the crown is stuck inside the outer tube, so it's not springing back.

Popped the stem and crown out of the movement and have held the stem in pair of pliers while I pulled at the crown, it just won't budge!

I'm thinking maybe glue or something got into it when manufactured and is keeping it stuck together. Even if was broken I would think that I would atleast be able to pull the inner piece outwards.

What can I try to get those crown to spring back?

FWIW, I had the same problem with another 5512... but was able to pull it out as above and get it spring again, but this one... is resisting my attempts so far!

If you ever have concerns of a rep on EBay, I find it best to head over to the Rolexforums and the "WatchOut!" section. Lots of pros there and people who can listings pulled pretty quickly.

I don't think this was a V3. If it was the dial was also replaced..., as the V3 dial just sort of has a curved indent around the date window. This one is clearly bevelled (how well it's bevelled is left to opinion however).

EDIT: I've been trying to source a replacement recent V? insert but without luck. Think it's the old "no parts, must buy watch" line.

Reprinting the datewheel is an interesting option.... though for simplicity (and mind sake) a no-date movement would be better.

In some Googling I did find there was some French watchmaker that did this as novelty (cheap AFAIK) watch. I would think numerals on the dial would be a must, or else you might find yourself reading the time wrong. Good way to exercise the brain me thinks!

Had an idea for a fun project... what I will call a "Benjamin Button" watch. Much liked the clock featured in the film, I am wondering if it's possible to modify a movement ETA or DG so that the hands actual move counter-clockwise.

This would of course be a no-date type of project, as I imagine trying to add a date complication to it would require serious re-working of the date mechanism.

If any experts can chime in, it would be appreciated.

No dice... any other avenues?

Will do... thanks!

I wear my DSSD V3 from time to time... I know it has other tells besides the bezel, but they don't really bother me.

Is there any source for a reasonably priced replacement bezel? The V3 Bezel has the bad 10 and markers/numbers are way too thin.

Raffles Time has a Rose Sub Dial, not too bad... but might not cut it for perfectionists.

Double post.

More than I wanted to spend

I'll have to add it up.

Would appreciate it, it's a nice piece. I have a budget 5517 myself, but have to say if it's a reasonable spend... I just may have to treat myself for once.

Milesd,

What was the damage to the wallet?

Very nice... what was the total cost?

Nice work!

The direct link doesn't work, think it's in the Rolex Homage Forum under 5517 dials or something. It's Raffles Time that is selling them.

You can get them in ETA or DG feet, or just ask for him to leave all four legs on and you snap the extras off later.

Keyless can be fixed on an A21J but it can be really frustrating... IIRC, it's a bunch of little levers all sitting on the baseplate. And then you have to try and put the datewheel and cover back on.

Would be a learning experience to try and fix, but if your time is valuable... spend the $15 for a new movement.

Good dials to test new vintaging methods on.

That's the most beautiful thing I've seen all day... and I was at the beach earlier.

I've found that .003" - .004" interference is about right. Don't off-hand know what that is in mm...

About 0.09mm

As an aside... I also purchased a 21J version of the same watch from Josh a few months back (the one I am trying to fit the crystal on is from 2010). I haven't popped the bezel off of the 21J to take measurements but the newer 21J watch has a different bezel in that the flat lip on the top of smaller (seems closer to gen) than the 1st version.

You need to get another crystal- you're way out of spec on the OD.

The CousinUK crystal w/ an OD of 30.2 would be very close to what you need.

The Clark has a similar size 30.0 when measured "naked", but it flares out on the case... so that accounts for the added diameter.