Watchsmithing Assistance Requested

[Imaknockov]

Hello everyone. I was disassembling my AP Grand Prix and seem to have come across a little bit of a snag. I was able to remove the chrono pushers without too much difficulty, but now I'm left with the pusher tubes which seem to require a special tool to remove. Might anyone know the specific size/type of the socket tool needed to remove these? The bottom knurled part has diameter of 3.6-3.7 mm while the taller, smooth upper part of the tube measures about 2.5mm.

Id any of the resident watchsmiths could chime in I'd be very greatful. Thanks in advance

[Rolexman]

Why would you want to remove them? I would say they are probably pressure fitted or a combination with glue. Removing them will compromise water resistance in the future if you don't reinstall them properly.

[Imaknockov]

Why would you want to remove them? I would say they are probably pressure fitted or a combination with glue. Removing them will compromise water resistance in the future if you don't reinstall them properly.

Because I can't tool a mold to make a proper forged carbon case with the pusher tubes installed.

[Logan]

Generally these are held in with clear epoxy, but it's possible they could be threaded. A good way to remove these would be to make a round piece of rod with the diameter of the inside of the tube with a larger collar at the end, fit this through the tube from inside and pull. Holding the case in a vise on a drill press and grabbing the rod with the chuck lets you pull in a very controlled direction.

[Logan]

Thinking out loud here.. I wonder if a torx screw head (the head not the driver) would fit and could be turned down on a lathe to make a tool, it's the only thing I can think of that has that shape and doesn't need to be custom made.

[Imaknockov]

Thinking out loud here.. I wonder if a torx screw head (the head not the driver) would fit and could be turned down on a lathe to make a tool, it's the only thing I can think of that has that shape and doesn't need to be custom made.

In so much the parts are very small and the knurling very delicate, I felt it wiser to order a tool specific to the task from Ofrei rather than risk screwing up the pusher tube, which in turn ruins the case, which cannot be purchased separately. In this case, ruining the pusher tube would essentially scrap a $600 watch.