Learning to change hands / dials

[TriggerHappy]

Hi

I've often thought it would be quite cool to be able to change hands and dials on my Marina Militare (asian), just to give it a bit of a personal touch.

Looking through watch-tool.de (recommended by someone here...), I think I should be able to do the job with the following:

Case back remover
Hand Remover
Hand setting press
Screwdriver set
Tweezers

Did I miss anything?


My understanding of the process is:
Remove case back
remove movement
remove hands
turn movement over - remove 2 screws securing dial.
Fit new dial, and reassemble by reversing previous steps.

How does that sound? Did I miss anything there?

Does anyone know of any courses for beginners that would teach such skills under the supervision of someone who knows what they are doing? (not full train-to-be-a-watchmaker courses, just a bit of hobby stuff...)

Thanks
Pete

[CLOCKMAN]

Here are the items you have missed.
Deeply scratch watch back & cut finger with cheap case opener.
Unscrew set lever screw too far & lose set lever under dial,jamming the barrel.
Turn watch over & lose set lever screw.
Remove movement fixings & one falls into movement.
While attempting recovery of fixing ,break balance staff & tangle hairspring.
Remove centre seconds hand & break arbour off.
Remove minute hand & drop on floor
Search for hand & bang head on table edge.
Remove hour hand & scratch & dent dial.
Remove dial screws break one, lose one & leave finger marks on dial surface.
Start search for small parts bounced out of case back during head bump.
Note that keyless work has dropped out due to aformentioned set lever loss.
Find parts & attempt assembly, breaking set bridge in process.
Spent 2 hours fitting dial only to realise that 3 should be on the other side
Accept that a date ring showing half a day is quite cool.
Press on new hands too far and damage hour hand trying to rectify.
Note that the minute hand drags the hour hand along when setting, leaving trail mark on new dial.
Put mess back in case and spend 2 hours figuring out why the stem won't stay in or wind the spring.
Realise that while holding the movement you have damaged the rotor bearing which is now jammed.
Cross thread the caseback & chew up the seal.
Give up & pay the watchmaker a few quid to do it properly.

[sabestian]

:lol:

Summing up: you'll be ok. I managed (http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=195637), you'll manage.

Tweezers should be ideally made of plastic. Tape to secure the dial when using hand remover. Case holder. Movement holder of some kind (dust proof). Silicone grease if it's waterproof. Wait until unwound. Something to clean dial (Rodico?).

[TriggerHappy]

Thank you gentlemen...

I did worry that my first attempt would be a bit like the scenario described above, but you've got to try these things, and if the worst happens, it's only an asian Marina - plenty more on e
Bay....

Thanks for the link to your mod - it looks really great, and so much nicer than the original!

I have ordered a new dial - a Pilot-style one - already, will pick up the tools over the next couple of weeks, and have a go.

Thanks!
Pete

[sabestian]

Just don't forget to post the results, mate. Whatever they may be! :wink:

[Jimster]

Here's quite a good guide on dial/hand removal

[TriggerHappy]

Here's quite a good guide on dial/hand removal

That's perfect, just what I was looking for - thanks for the link.

I do have one question for anybody - when re-fitting the hands, how do I know how far down to press them? Do I measure, use a spacer or just somehow 'know'?

[angeche]

I think that the message from watchmakers is: do not expect professional results if you are not a professional, do not do it to save money (because you are going to spend a lot of money in broken movements, etc). BUT if you like doing it, just do it. For me, wearing a watch I have put together is a special pleasure...