Advice - Asia 21J - Sub stem won't release!

[alfe]

I've taken the day off, set everything up to spend the day painting my dial and can't get this damn movement out because the stem won't release!

I know it's the button to the left of the little cog which depresses to release the stem but it wont release it no matter how hard I try. I have the correct 1mm screwdriver and can depress the button but whether the stem is in 'wind' or 'time setting' it won't release. I've pressed the button light and very hard and pulled the stem light and very hard but no go.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Regards, Al

[jmb]

I wouldn't know without having it "in hand" but usually wiggling the stem and pulling (in time set position) while depressing the latch button always works for me...