Hey all. I just got an 18s case, with a hinged snap front bezel, a hinged dust cuvette, and hinged snap back. It is a beautiful case, but there is a problem...the back doesn't snap shut tight like it is supposed to. Looks like years of prying on the raised area on the body has worn it down. Is there anyone who can repair this? I was going to send it down to William for a new crystal, and house my 1908 Elgin Overland in it. I am VERY disappointed! I like the look of this case a lot, and would like it to function as it should. BTW...the cuvette snaps down tight and so does the front bezel. Regards, Brad

Hi Brad nice to talk to you again it has been awhile. I have never used this guy but he comes highly recommended and may even be a member here I don't know. His name is Leon Harris and the email address I was given is; harrislj@msn.com

I hope this works for you.

Brad, it can be done. My Amish watchmaker does it one of two ways: he either peens over the lip of the case frame slightly using an arbor press to expand the diameter, or he removes a jaw from his six-jaw lathe chuck, fits the case cover with the hinge at the missing jaw, and using the drawbar, tightens the chuck, effectively shrinking the case lid.

Either way it reuslts in a hinged lid that snaps closed snugly

Thanks Harry and Eric! Eric, is Leon your Amish Watchmaker? Regards, Brad

Brad,
Here is Leon's information from a link in the members business directory on this site
Leon Harris

Well guys, thank you all very much. I feel a lot better! I will definitely be getting ahold of Leon soon. I just hope it doesn't take him TOO long to fix it. I'll be taking some pics of it when I get it all done, with my Overland in it. All it says on the back is "The Oneida". I'm guessing it's brass, but I love the looks of it, so I don't care. Regards, Brad

Brad,
I had Leon repair a hinged case of mine some time ago and although the wait was a bit longer than i had hoped, the work was second to none and worth the wait in my opinion. I wouldn't hesitate sending Leon more work.

E-mailed Leon this morning. It'll be on it's way to him ASAP! Brad

One old trick to try from ye olde watchmakers

Was to place a piece of string in the back or

Whichever bezel is a bit loose

Down as close to the hinge area as possible

And try and snap it shut

This will sometimes cure a sprung or very slightly loose bezel.

The advise is FREE, whether it will work on a particular case is another question

regards,
bb

Thanks Buster. I'll give it a shot. Brad

Alright Buster, I tried it, and it worked! It snapped shut tight! Now, do I leave the string in there? Brad

Well....

Not in less you have a string fetish

Seriously, what you are attempting to do is
to "reshape" the bezel. Go ahead and take it out and see if it will now snap and stay that way. If not, try just a hair larger diameter string.

regards,
bb

Duh! Boy do I feel dumb!

Great Buster! It worked like a charm!!! I am one happy camper! Bestest Regards, Brad

I'll be posting some pictures tomorrow. I slipped my Elgin into it...I just couldn't wait! And it looks like a million! I'll have William put a new crystal in it later on. Regards, Brad