Swing out mvt question

March 13, 2008, 21:41

Frank Kusumoto

I think there may be some screws that you can loosen. If you loosen them enough they may come off. It also helps to pull the stem out to the setting position.

Maybe if you took some pictures and pointed out what problems you are perceiving it might be helpful.

March 13, 2008, 22:12

Lindell V. Riddle

Ed,

The whole point of swing-out cases was to come as close as they could to making a dust-proof case. Notice the knurled area below the crown which identifies the dust-proof design. To review the relation between movement and case, here goes.

Due to the complications described here, many collectors avoid this style case. That is unfortunate as they are great cases, they just take a bit more care and some experience in working with them.

As with any watch work, proceed slowly and carefully!

Lindell

Here is how you tip-out the movement, observe the two images that follow.

(1) Begin by removing the bezel.

(2) Now, gently pull upward on the crown, you will hear a "click" sound.

This is the same position as with setting a pendant-set watch.

Be very careful to not pull up too hard.

(3) Notice indentation below the ring around the dial. Insert your thumb-nail
or a small pen-knife and very carefully pull outward.

March 13, 2008, 22:12

Lindell V. Riddle

(4) Move the crown back and forth a bit, very carefully tip movement upward.

Note: If you meet resistance then the stem is still partially in the movement,
it must be fully released for the movement to tip or swing back. Be careful, do
not lose your grip, it is all too easy to lose control and drop the watch.

(5) To remove the movement from the case-ring, as Frank said they work like
any other watch, movement held in by the two case-screws. Just take careful
note of how the movement must line-up precisely with the stem.

Let us know if there are additional questions or comments.

March 14, 2008, 05:41

Marty Bell

Once, a long time ago (ha!) I had trouble closing one of these. Simply turing the crown made the movement fall into place. Sounds silly now, but back then it sure wasn't!
Don't forget to push the crown back into place when you screw the bezel back on...

March 14, 2008, 06:14

Phillip Sanchez

Lin, an excellent and precise tutorial, with pictures no less.

Thank you, for what you, Frank, Marty and the many, many others bring to this club. I certainly must not forget my friend Dave Abbe.

Just imagine, all of this for 12 bucks a year.

March 14, 2008, 12:43

Marty Bell

You paid $12.00?? Gee,I got in for $10.50!

March 14, 2008, 14:18

Edward Kitner

Lindell,
Yes, great tutorial. I believe the watch will arrive here with the case detached from the movement. The owner said he didn't know how to attach it.

If I have a problem I know where to go to get help! You guys and gals have been great with helping us novices.
Thank you so much.

Ed

March 14, 2008, 15:35

Leon Harris

Hi Edward, Great Post. The only other thing that it could be is, and I hope it is not this problem. On all swing out case you do have a hinge side. I have seen these hinges destroyed and the swing-out ring still attached to the movement. Cross your fingers and hope it is just some loose case screws!!!

March 19, 2008, 12:01

Edward Kitner

Well the watcha arrive with the movement intact.
I have bee trying to get the mvt out but without any luck.
When I pull up on the crown it moves up but I do not hear a click and the mvt will not swing out. I tried wiggling the crown without any luck.
It is a nice watch other than the small problem I am having.
It is a Waltham mdl 1892, 845 grade. It ran 46 hours on a wind and was about 2 minutes fast.

Any suggestions?

Ed

March 19, 2008, 12:51

Edward Kitner

I believe the problem is when the crown is moved up it is not raising the stem. With this type of case what is my next option?

March 19, 2008, 13:28

Frank Kusumoto

Pictures. Do a close up of the lip where it should have been pried up before to get to the movement. Also picture of stem and crown area in up and down position.

March 19, 2008, 14:44

Edward Kitner

I hope these pics attach!

<a href="http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/eochief/?action=view¤t=006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/eochief/006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

March 19, 2008, 14:45

Edward Kitner

March 19, 2008, 14:46

Edward Kitner

March 19, 2008, 14:46

Edward Kitner

March 19, 2008, 14:48

Edward Kitner

The crown moves about 1/16"
I also just noticed the movement is loose in the ring. I think only 1 case screw is holding it.

March 19, 2008, 15:04

Frank Kusumoto

Try unscrewing the crown or alternately scewing it on tighter. The case should open at least a 1/8 inch even when the the stem is in. It might me easier to manipulate the stem when the case is partially opened.

March 19, 2008, 15:26

Edward Kitner

The case does open at least 1/8" But that hasn't helped either.
how do I unscrew the crown? Clock wise winds it, counter wise it only clicks.

March 19, 2008, 15:33

Frank Kusumoto

Are you sure it is the crown that is keeping the case from opening? Many times the swing-ring just have a very tight fit that makes it "pop" when opening and closing. If you can screw the crown tight and you can't pull it out (make it click) then you may not be pulling hard enough. On the type of case you have it may be possible to remove the bow and to be able to see what's happening with the stem and the sleeve.

BTW: You should have already removed the hands if you're taking the movement out of the case to service it.

March 19, 2008, 16:28

Chris Abell

Put the crystal back on and give it a real hard tug on the crown while turning it, some are extreamly tight if water has got in.

March 19, 2008, 16:51

Edward Kitner

Chris,

BINGO!

Thank both of you for your guidence!

Ed

March 19, 2008, 17:00

Frank Kusumoto

Chris is the expert. I just would have pulled real hard. After you deal with a few hundred, or thousand, of the swing-ring cases you get a good idea of what's going on. The next thing I was going to suggest was trying to get some oil down the case sleeve.

Most watchmakers don't really like swing-ring cases because they can be a real pain in the ***. But, that being said, the swing-ring cases are much better at keeping the movements clean. Kind of a trade-off.

Glad it worked out for you.