Any toolmakers on here?

[Drapoon]

Hi chaps,
bit of a strange request but I'm in desperate need of a socket tool to remove the back of a watch.....
Basically I have sneakily aquired my dads vintage 1970's jaquet-droz diving watch in order to replace the cracked glass & have it serviced and return it as a surprise. Unfortunately I Have taken it to several good watch repairers and none have the correct socket and universal tools will not get the thing off!
I need a 32mm 12 point socket making up, the case only has a 1mm lip to play with so it needs a very thin ring spanner made for the job....
Anybody out there able to help? Obv I'm not looking for a freebie, thought I would ask here 1st

I'll get some pics up, it's a lovely chronograph. Swiss made but not particularly expensive, however great sentimental value.

Martin

 

[mikeekim89]

Try mikee. I think he does that kind of thing.

 

[MarinManiac]

Send me a pic of the offending item, there's a Jeweller in my family

 

[porkypaw]

I have made my own in the past made from a flat piece of ally filed to the correct width over two of the cutouts.
But Rolson tools sell a watch case remover for under a tenner, I was thinking of getting myself one.

 

[Drapoon]

Hi guys

Many thanks for the replies

I will get some pictures across to you

That universal Rolson tool wont touch this, the back is on so tight that that type of removal tool will just burr the edges of the case.
The watch has been in a vice type contraption with too pincers which are clamped to 2 edges of the case & turned with no joy. It really needs a socket to make contact with all 12 sides to get a good purchase on it if that makes sense?

One theory (from a very knowledgable watch repairer) is that the seal has perished & turned to bitumen over the past 40 years making the seal super tight

 

[kaiser]

What about a 32mm spanner and have it milled. Any wee engineering shop could do it, as well as Mikee

 

[Drapoon]

Hi Kaiser

Cracking idea & I had thought the same...basically mill it down to get rid of the lip?

I'm assuming if it measure 32mm across, has 12 edges then it must be exactly the same fit as a corresponding socket?

 

[kaiser]

Indeed, I'll have a look a work later for a socket, I could turn the end flat as well. I have a lathe but no mill.

 

[Drapoon]

Kaiser,

Fantastic, that's very kind of you. If you do happen to find a socket let me know & I'll send some karma your way...

In the mean time I will get some photos up this eve.

I've got the correct glass on order for replacement now, the last watch repairer was able to remove the glasss from the front.

I have ordered a great strap from these people:
http://www.watchworx.co.uk/pages/lwb/el ... rSport.htm

went for the grey stitch motosport one

I have had this watch for too long & need to return it to the rightful owner
My dad has a couple of Tags, a carrera & proffesional but this watch hasn't seen the light of day for over 30 years & it's just very cool looking!

 

[The Ken]

what about a 32mm headset spanner? my park one is just flat plate so milling might not required, just sharpen up the flat against a grind wheel.

Alternatively make a hard epoxy (milliput or similar) negative fixed to a socket - full contact might give you the leverage you need.
You might want to cast the back of the watch with latex and then plaster of paris incase the epoxy sticks to the back, but you could test on similar material first.