Misaligned dial. Really need some advice how to fix this, please!

[devilpro7]

Hello everyone.

This is my 3rd rep, but it's my first time to do the repair myself. So I really appreciate it if someone could give me advice on this.

My GMF DJ 41 with eta 2836 clone, it has a dial slightly misaligned 1-2 degrees to the right. It's more noticeable in real life.

https://imgur.com/a/yoR8uXH



How can I fix this?

1: Rotate the whole movement counterclockwise. Is it can be done? How to deal with the stem as it is fixed to the movement?

2: Rotate just the dial. But as I read, I have to bend the feed of the dial. And then the DW will be misaligned?

Many thanks for your time.

 

[p0pperini]

You photo isn't taken from exactly head-on, square to the camera, so the grid lines don't really mean a lot! But anyway...

You don't want to move the dial - your date looks well aligned so moving the dial would mess it up, as you already realised.

So, you should try option 1, moving the movement/dial assembly round. There should be enough wiggle room when you've loosened the movement tabs to rotate the movement enough to tweak it in the correct position. It's only going to be a very slight adjustment, so the stem should be fine. I've done the same thing on a few reps and it's never been difficult or caused any issues with the crown/stem.

 

[devilpro7]

You photo isn't taken from exactly head-on, square to the camera, so the grid lines don't really mean a lot! But anyway...

You don't want to move the dial - your date looks well aligned so moving the dial would mess it up, as you already realised.

So, you should try option 1, moving the movement/dial assembly round. There should be enough wiggle room when you've loosened the movement tabs to rotate the movement enough to tweak it in the correct position. It's only going to be a very slight adjustment, so the stem should be fine. I've done the same thing on a few reps and it's never been difficult or caused any issues with the crown/stem.

Thanks for your reply. That photo is actually a QC pic from TD

By option 1, after moving the movement assembly to the right poison, then the cyclops and the LEC will be misaligned. I have to detach the crystal then press it back. Question is I see 2 options again, what should be better?

1: Detach the crystal, remove cyclops (so cyclops won't interfere the process of pressing back the crystal), press back the crystal, glue back the cyclops

2: Just detach then press back the crystal back to the right position, without touching the cyclops


I'm doing research while waiting for the watch repairing instrument on the way, so I just would like to know every possible case could be done.

 

[p0pperini]

Ah yes sorry, I did mean to mention that the cyclops alignment might also need to be tweaked. It might be easiest to remove the cyclops from the crystal then glue it back on once the dial and crystal/LEC are in place and aligned correctly.

The first thing I'd do though is try tweaking the movement/dial as a unit to check whether the cyclops alignment is still okay once the dial position is correct. If there's a problem with the cyclops position, then:

1. Remove the movement and pop the crystal out
2. Remove the cyclops from the crystal
3. Re-seat the crystal with the LEC position correct
4. Reinstall the movement/dial as a unit and align correctly
5. Reattach the cyclops

Of course, I'm not a watchsmith, just an over-enthusiastic amateur, so I'm not even sure I'd be inclined to follow my own advice.

 

[devilpro7]

Ah yes sorry, I did mean to mention that the cyclops alignment might also need to be tweaked. It might be easiest to remove the cyclops from the crystal then glue it back on once the dial and crystal/LEC are in place and aligned correctly.

The first thing I'd do though is try tweaking the movement/dial as a unit to check whether the cyclops alignment is still okay once the dial position is correct. If there's a problem with the cyclops position, then:

1. Remove the movement and pop the crystal out
2. Remove the cyclops from the crystal
3. Re-seat the crystal with the LEC position correct
4. Reinstall the movement/dial as a unit and align correctly
5. Reattach the cyclops

Of course, I'm not a watchsmith, just an over-enthusiastic amateur, so I'm not even sure I'd be inclined to follow my own advice.

Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it, will have a try on this.

I think you are way better than a watch smith. The watch smith in my town told me that this can't be fixed, lol. So I have to fix it myself.

By the way. Do I need a special glue to reattach the cyclops? And as I see on youtube, people use a torch to burn the cyclops to remove it... Is there anyway more...safe?

 

[p0pperini]

By the way. Do I need a special glue to reattach the cyclops? And as I see on youtube, people use a torch to burn the cyclops to remove it... Is there anyway more...safe?

Now I'm getting on shaky ground, as I haven't removed the cyclops from a crystal. What you've seen is correct, although it's not so much a case of "burning" the cyclops - you just need to heat it enough to soften the glue used to attach it to the crystal. It's quite simple to do that with a butane torch (as used in the kitchen for instance).

UV glue is used to attach the cyclops, as it's completely clear. You can get kits of glue plus a UV lamp or torch (which is used to cure the glue) on eBay/Amazon.

Let us know how you get on!

 

[devilpro7]

Let us know how you get on!

Will definitely do! Thanks for your help.

 

[tripdog]

Impossible to see what is misaligned with all those silly red lines all over it - the centre of the second hand isn't even in the centre of the red lines where they cross, plus the pic has not been taken square on to the face of the dial.

If it is off, it needs to be rotated a fraction anticlockwise with the crystal rotated by the same degree - do not assume the coronet on the rehaut is the centre of the watch case. The cyclops looks aligned in comparison to the LEC.

Remove the cyclops from the crystal at your peril.

 

[robmack]

I don't think the red lines are drawn correctly. It seems that the red lines are drawn relative to the lugs, if that's how we're supposed to interpret the top and bottom guides. And as mentioned, the intersection of the perpendicular guides don't align with the hand pivot. The perpendicular guides don't bisect the centre link on the Jubilee bracelet nor the crown. So the watch in the photo is rotated relative to perpendicular by the same degree that the OP thinks the dial is rotated. Correctly position the red guidelines relative to the bracelet, crown and hand pivots not the lugs, then assess.

 

[tripdog]

I don't think the red lines are drawn correctly. It seems that the red lines are drawn relative to the lugs, if that's how we're supposed to interpret the top and bottom guides. And as mentioned, the intersection of the perpendicular guides don't align with the hand pivot. The perpendicular guides don't bisect the centre link on the Jubilee bracelet nor the crown. So the watch in the photo is rotated relative to perpendicular by the same degree that the OP thinks the dial is rotated. Correctly position the red guidelines relative to the bracelet, crown and hand pivots not the lugs, then assess.

The whole watch is rotated several degrees clockwise, yet the horizontal and perpendicular lines are almost perfectly vertical and perpendicular

 

[Specter1000]

As has been mentioned...messing with the cyclops is a messy business...believe me, I know. I'd wear that all day as is.

 

[devilpro7]

Impossible to see what is misaligned with all those silly red lines all over it

I don't think the red lines are drawn correctly.

Thank you for your reply. Here is the none "silly" picture

I would like to know your opinion, is it really misaligned? I assume it's misaligned by comparing the 6 marker with the center of the SEL.

I think it's acceptable for a rep, but I'm chasing perfection, and have enough time while sitting in quarantine, worth a try.

 

[tripdog]

Thank you for your reply. Here is the none "silly" picture

I would like to know your opinion, is it really misaligned? I assume it's misaligned by comparing the 6 marker with the center of the SEL.

I think it's acceptable for a rep, but I'm chasing perfection, and have enough time while sitting in quarantine, worth a try.

If you're chasing perfection you're going to get pretty tired, it's not going to happen with a watch made in China.

It's off fractionally - 1/2 a degree, but the crystal has been lined up with the dial as it is now, rotate the dial 1/2 a degree and the crystal will need to be rotated.

 

[devilpro7]

As has been mentioned...messing with the cyclops is a messy business...believe me, I know. I'd wear that all day as is.

Thank you for your advice.

I have the same though, messing with the cyclops will be the last option. I will try to rotate the movement and then the crystal first.

I'd wear it all day too This flaw is not that noticeable. I've read somewhere that pretty much gen Rolex has misaligned dial/rehaut. But chasing for perfection is not a crime, isn't it?

 

[devilpro7]

If you're chasing perfection you're going to get pretty tired, it's not going to happen with a watch made in China.

It's off fractionally - 1/2 a degree, but the crystal has been lined up with the dial as it is now, rotate the dial 1/2 a degree and the crystal will need to be rotated.

I don't see people in this forum getting tired of making Franken watch to get a perfect one. So I would like to join them

Meaning this misaligned can be fixed, right? I asked the watch smith in my town, he said it's not fixable, the only way is buying a new dial. My town is not so big, so he's not so skillful, I guess.

 

[Pickledbeetroot]

its a rep, just accept it, wear it for a time then when the gold turns your skin green.................

 

[Nikz19]

I don't see people in this forum getting tired of making Franken watch to get a perfect one. So I would like to join them

Meaning this misaligned can be fixed, right? I asked the watch smith in my town, he said it's not fixable, the only way is buying a new dial. My town is not so big, so he's not so skillful, I guess.

I’m pretty sure it is. And I don’t think you’ll need to remove the cyclops, personally I’d modify a crystal press die to make sure it doesn’t touch it while pressing.