Is it possible or feasible to convert a case from lever set to pendant set, and vice versa?

I have a lever set case that I'd like to use for a pendant set watch.

I would check the sleeve. I once did the opposite and turned a pendant set to lever and to avoid the pendant being pulled up (because the new owner was clueless) I lowered the sleeve so the pendant wouldnt pull up. But you might have to change the sleeve/stem.

It depends on the case and manufacturer. Bar over Crown cases have a bar that won't allow sufficent room for the crown to be pulled upward into the set position.

Conversion from lever to pendant setting in most generic cases, except the Bar over Crown cases, is possible with a sleeve and stem change and whether the pendant tube that holds the sleeve & stem is currently threaded for a sleeve.

Unless one has lots of stems & sleeves and lots of time & patience, I would not recommend conversions.

regards,
bb

The simplest answers are "Yes" and "No".

"Yes" when the case is a simple Open Face design with two "click" positions of the winding stem. Many of these were produced with a smooth dial rim left "uncut". If the watch buyer wanted this case for a Lever setting movement, the seller would "cut" the lever notch in the correct spot. Hence if you find an "uncut" open face case, chances are you can cut the notch for the set lever. Or if there is a lever notch already cut, it can still be used for a Pendant set movement too . . .

. . . and likely to be "No" for many hunter cases. The problem with the hunter case is the winding stem is also used to release and open the case cover. The adjustment for this to happen is simple if the winding stem is also ONLY used to wind the watch and requires a lever to set time.

IF you want to try and convert a lever setting hunter case to pendant set, you have entered a world of hurt because the depth of the wind-set arbor into the watch has to be adjusted in-out until the wind/set works with the crown in-out "click" positions. When you have gotten there, the odds are you have lost the proper depthing to make the winding arbor also release the cover when the crown is pressed in (from wind setting) to open it. Making this all work requires achieving a balance between the length of the square winding arbor to the position of the interference step or collar meant to release the cover. Many watchmakers simply had to "make" a new winding arbor.

Thanks Dave,
This is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for.
In my current specific case, I'm trying to fit a pendant set watch into a OF leverset case. But the stem and crown is fixed in one position. And the watch will neither wind or set.
Can I assume that the stem is too short and also that it is not able to be pulled out to enable setting?

One more question....
Are some cases designed to be both pendant set and lever set at the same time?

Reasons a pendant set watch will not wind or set include.
1. The stem is broke or wrong.
2. The sleeve is not adjusted properly.
3. The socket the stem fits into is stripped or not aligned with the stem inside.
4. The mechinism to change between winding is broken with possible missing/broken spring, gear or gears.
5. Any combination of the above.

It is possible for a case to be made to fit either pendant or lever. The crown lifting up will not hurt the operation of a lever set watch. But a pendant set must have the crown lift.
A lot of silveroid cases where the crown lifts but there is a slot in them were designed to fit either. depending on what movement the buyer wanted or brought in to be recased.

Jim, Buster, and Dave
Thanks for the info guys. I have very few cases and no extra parts to speak of. So, I'll look for another case.
As always, I appreciate the education.