Taking a watch to bits

[ds666]

Looking to take a watch to bits to clean dial etc - can anyone help with instructions , particularly separating the winder from the rest of the mechanism . Watch is an automatic , if that matters ?

Thanks

[Dominic H]

I would have thought video instruction would be your best bet.

Try here for starters, then work your way through the others.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox8aAQ9-oF0

Good luck!

[Hoofy]

Jeez. I would experiment on a very cheap, broken watch before trying it on your Patek...

Just touching the dial can ruin it, just touching the hands can bend them. I've already broken two watches so I restrict myself to just battery changes and strap/bracelet changes.

[daveenty]

Taking a watch apart is very simple with the right tools.

Getting it back together again is where the watchmaker is worth his money.

As above, only do it on a cheapie. I have a Raketa for just such a purpose. I used to have more, but they're all in the bin now.

[AlexC1981]

Don't do it!

But if you do, make sure you get the right good quality tools for the job and take lots of photos from different angles at all stages of disassembly.

And make sure a four year old nephew isn't going to pay you a visit when you're halfway through

[Hoofy]

Yes! Re the tools, every action requires a specific tool. Don't "make do" because you think you can. Unless you want things to end up bent, scratched, broken or chipped!