Changing Hands

[Fallingup]

Not done this before so fiddled about quite a lot.
I was never happy with the hands on my Seiko SKX009. I found the were too shiny and difficult to read in strong sunlight. It's my holiday watch so decided to change them.
Movement out:


Old hands removed:


New hands fitted:


Movement fitted back to case:


The result:




I'm very pleased with the result. I found that the second hand was a bd to fit but got there eventually.
I do fear however, that I may have pressed the second hand on a bit too much as it is very close to the minute hand. It seems to turn ok so will keep an eye on any telltale marks that may appear on the minute hand. I have not done this before so was a bit of a learning curve but have more confidence to do it again now that I have become more used to using the tools.

[Lorne]

looks like an excellent job to me. Bet you sweated like buggery with nervous fear whilst doing it.

[Fallingup]

Indeed! Though having a dram helped to steady the hands.

[Fallingup]

All was well last night. This morning the watch had stopped so I picked it up and gave it a shake to wind it. The second hand fell off! I had been so paranoid about pressing the second hand on too much that I hadn't pressed it on far enough. So after a cup of tea, the movement came out again. I decided to refit all the hands. Conscious of the fact that they are an interference fit and there's probably only so many times you can do that. Anyway it all went back together again. Seemed easier than the first time but probably because I was getting better at it. Been wearing it since and seems to be fine now. Have to say that although I'm pleased with the result, I would not like to do this for a living!

[guindilias]

Always satisfying when you can do something by yourself.
Montblanc wanted £300 to change the battery on my Profile XL, and it would take 4 weeks. After some advice on the watchmaker's forum, £1.50 for a Renata Battery and £2.00 for a case knife (rectangular back so wouldn't unscrew), a bit of silicon grease which I already had, and tada, it was back in action and fully waterproof.
Up yours, Montblanc!

[Fallingup]

guindilias said:

Always satisfying when you can do something by yourself.
Montblanc wanted £300 to change the battery on my Profile XL, and it would take 4 weeks. After some advice on the watchmaker's forum, £1.50 for a Renata Battery and £2.00 for a case knife (rectangular back so wouldn't unscrew), a bit of silicon grease which I already had, and tada, it was back in action and fully waterproof.
Up yours, Montblanc!

Yes, indeed. I have several quartz watches in my collection and, with some of them, it would cost more than the watch is worth to send them off to have batteries and seals changed. It's not rocket science and so long as one takes ones time and is methodical then it's pretty straight forward. As you say it is also very satisfying. The internet is a great help in this. Though it takes a while to sift the wheat from the chaff. I would also say that the best time to do something like this is when the wife and kids go away for the weekend. No distractions!

PS: It's still working fine and the hands haven't fallen off again!

Edited by Fallingup on Friday 14th September 19:11