AP Diver v2 Disassembly

[vpx]

I finally got my AP Diver today after a little shipping mixup with a colleague of mine that wanted to try the watch on. Well, as it turns out there are little specks of black paint (looks like shaved pieces) on the inside of the crystal that are bothering me, as well as the crystal not being fully seated in the bezel. This stuff was not in the QC pics, and I don't want to send it back and wait 2 months.

So I disassembled the watch as far as I'm used to - caseback screws off, caseback removed, inner nuts removed, screws + o-rings removed. I can't seem to get the bezel to budge. I looked at Josh's disassembly pics and I don't see anything else stopping me from removing the bezel.

Can anyone chime in? I don't want to force it, only to mess up the tachy ring or something.

Pics of the black paint chips:

 

[Rojjben]

Have you tried to take out the movement to get the innerbezel?

 

[vpx]

Have you tried to take out the movement to get the innerbezel?

No, what size screwdriver would be suitable for doing that?

 

[vpx]

I got the retaining ring and movement off with a 1mm A*F screwdriver I had. Here's where I am:

Still isn't coming off.

EDIT: Got it off my pressing on the crystal from the inside.

EDIT: Took it all apart and got all the black chips out. I put everything away safely under random containers to protect it from dust. I need to run out and get a crystal press so I guess I'll finish up tonight. Pics, because they are awesome:

 

[Rojjben]

So have you found out what the black chips was?

 

[vpx]

So have you found out what the black chips was?

It looks to me like the tachy ring was rubbing on the crystal or the internal surfaces of the bezel. Luckily, this is not visible during the normal usage of the watch.

 

[vpx]

Well, looks like I totally f**ked it up. One of the case clamps sprung away from my tweezers and is lost forever, the second one got in fine, and the third one is stuck somewhere in the balance wheel now.

$500 down the drain. I guess this serves as a lesson to let a professional do it.

I have no idea how to solve this problem now.

 

[ALE7575]

Well, looks like I totally f**ked it up. One of the case clamps sprung away from my tweezers and is lost forever, the second one got in fine, and the third one is stuck somewhere in the balance wheel now.

$500 down the drain. I guess this serves as a lesson to let a professional do it.

I have no idea how to solve this problem now.

Sorry a lot vpz
It seems a serious problem!

 

[vpx]

I e-mailed Katt and G. Hopefully they can fix this problem for me.

 

[Rojjben]

Let me know if you need spares.
I have a totally disassembled Diver lying around.

Just give me a shout mate!

 

[vpx]

Actually I just found the missing clamp on the floor. The third is still stuck in the balance wheel, and I'd rather not mess with that area.

 

[Rojjben]

Actually I just found the missing clamp on the floor. The third is still stuck in the balance wheel, and I'd rather not mess with that area.

Good to hear.
Just let me know if I can help you.

BTW, by clamp. Do you mean the ones holding the movement?

 

[vpx]

Yes, the clamps that hold the movement into the case.

 

[Rojjben]

Ok. Shouldnt be so hard to get out of the balancewheel with correct tweezer?

 

[vpx]

You have a good point, Rojjben. It's stuck somewhere behind the balance, which is covered up by the automatic bridge. I'm guessing I could actually finish this up myself by taking off the automatic bridge, but I'd rather have a professional take it off, examine for damage, put it back together properly and ensure that it is running well.

 

[ALE7575]

I e-mailed Katt and G. Hopefully they can fix this problem for me.

Congrats vpx
I'm very happy for your solution

 

[samurai jack]

Hi...pls can you post a close-up pic of the inside of the case-back? Does it have any AP logo / markings etc.?

 

[Asheron82]

hey guys, need some help, do i need to remove the movt in order to remove the bezel? wana attempt to do some DIY on my Diver too... hope someone can assist thanks!

 

[vpx]

do i need to remove the movt in order to remove the bezel?

No. Mine was "stuck" to the case because of the rubber seal. If you remove all 8 nuts inside the case and the screws, you can remove the bezel without taking out the movement.

 

[Asheron82]

No. Mine was "stuck" to the case because of the rubber seal. If you remove all 8 nuts inside the case and the screws, you can remove the bezel without taking out the movement.

hi dude, thanks for the heads up, well i read up abit on the disassembly for APs, i now stucked at trying to remove the bezel lugs, do not have any sharp/slim thin tweezers to use. anyone else would like to chime in on and any other methods or tools i could try to use to remove those lugs?

if not, i guess will just have to drop-by the nearby hw store to get one.