spoonfedhatch Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 Greetings all, Lots of visitors of this forum seem to ask many of the same questions regarding tips and advice on disassembling, modding, and rebuilding their Portuguese Chronographs. It seems this particular model, more than any, gets so much attention because it's very desired, yet so volitile in reliability. As a new member looking to take up the hobby of modding and sharing pictures/information, it would be fantastic if someone who has disassembled their 3714 would be so kind as to post up a tutorial on how to successfully take apart this fine replica. This may save new 3714 replica owners time, and save you guys time by posting up step by step tutorials on some of the more basic actions that most new owners take once they receive their watches. Your thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 Unless you know what you are doing with this movement then dont take it apart, also there ate two versions one with a screwed from behind bezel and one with a press on besel what part do you want to take apart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoonfedhatch Posted July 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 Unless you know what you are doing with this movement then dont take it apart, also there ate two versions one with a screwed from behind bezel and one with a press on besel what part do you want to take apart Thanks for the reply, FxrAndy. I happen to have the updated version, which has the press-on bezel. Just like most, I'm not looking to actually modify the movement just yet, but I would like to know how to at least remove it, so that I can send the crystal off for AR treatment. Also, it would be nice to know how to remove the hands so that the dial can come off. I've heard that the chrono trim ring is also pretty tricky on this particular model. I hope I'm not asking too much, if I knew what I was doing I'd be happy to post up basic shots to educate others on how to do a basic disassembly. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 I would sugest that if you want ti get into modding and working on watches then start easy, somthing like a Pam and work up, what you are talking about is learnint to build a car and starting with formular one, start with a mini! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobster Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 I would sugest that if you want ti get into modding and working on watches then start easy, somthing like a Pam and work up, what you are talking about is learnint to build a car and starting with formular one, start with a mini! +1 This is intricate work and it's best to start with a very basic and cheap mechanical rep and then move to the IWC once you have learnt from the mistakes. I made so many when I first started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoonfedhatch Posted July 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 Thanks for the suggestions and feedback. I'll be sure to document the steps I take, as well as photograph progress to share. If I make mistakes, I'll share those too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcollector Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 Be prepared to mess up and throw away the watch. Buy a cheap replica (~$100) and some tools to start playing with it. There are online watchmaker courses out there to help with the basics too. Some if not all the tasks require a lot of patience and a firm hand. Those are skills you gain with practice. Like Andy said, start small. The Portuguese (based on the A7750) is not a good starting point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sneed12 Posted July 18, 2012 Report Share Posted July 18, 2012 but I would like to know how to at least remove it, so that I can send the crystal off for AR treatment. Pry bezel off with a case knife. Press out crystal from bezel. Also, it would be nice to know how to remove the hands so that the dial can come off If you have never removed hands from a watch before, you will break these. Seriously. I have worked on a couple of hundred watches, and I still pull chrono hands off of tubes sometimes. Rep hands are delicate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhc22 Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 Pry bezel off with a case knife. Press out crystal from bezel. If you have never removed hands from a watch before, you will break these. Seriously. I have worked on a couple of hundred watches, and I still pull chrono hands off of tubes sometimes. Rep hands are delicate. A good set of chrono hand levers help but as sneed12 says the probability of pulling a chrono hand off the tube is very high! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maccaz Posted August 16, 2012 Report Share Posted August 16, 2012 Anyone have any tips on removing bezel from case on newer models (not screwed from back). I have my movement, dial amd hands all ready to go in, just need to get my damn donor apart. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Sharpe knife between the case and bezel and work it round, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maccaz Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Sharpe knife between the case and bezel and work it round, Took a while and cost a bit of flesh but definatly the way thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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