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Decided to buy Sky dwaller blue, but worried...

Wcfranek

Getting To Know The Place
11/5/21
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First, congrats on actually getting a Noob blue dial. It looks like somehow the Ali Express vendor got hold of some stock. Unfortunately it also appears that his stock may be samples that aren't perfect (maybe rejects) as this is now the second one of his we've seen with a crooked dial. This is a different one, the inner dial is offset in the opposite, counterclockwise direction.

ZxkVmv.jpg


This can be fixed but it needs to be done by someone who knows what they're doing. This is a rep with a dial arrangement unlike the gen and unlike any other rep I've ever worked on. The inner dial is held on by two short pieces of double stick tape that are quite strong. I literally had to put my thumb and forefinger fingernails (through finger cots) underneath the edges and gently but firmly pull it away. It is thin brass and it flexed a little so it's somewhat of a delicate removal. One could likely use a very thin scalpel razor underneath it after raising an edge a little but the GMT wheel is right there and can be easily damaged. The inner dial can be reattached with dial dots.

I'll repost my previous comments about the second hand post:

"BTW the 2nd one has a crooked center dial piece. This is not an uncommon QC issue on these, that dial piece is just stuck on with double-sided tape. It can be fixed but requires removing the hands, which on any DG movement is a roll of the dice. The second hand pinion is ultra thin at 0.17mm and can snap off in a heartbeat. At that point the whole movement is pretty much done because to replace the second wheel requires disassembly of the combined bridge from the backside. That bridge has 5 pinions under it that all have to be stood up perfectly in loose jewels while the bridge is put back in place. It is maddeningly fiddly, and buying a new movement is a better option. The movements in these are only about $55. The same is true for any DG2813 at $25 or DG3804 at $40."

Good luck!

Thanks for advice!

Crocked dial is not big problem for me, acceptable. Unfortunately bezel feels very loose aspecially when on top or bottom (near 12 and 6 hour position). Month indicator changes very often when wearing. Any ideas how to fix this? Maybe the problem is a tape, that I scraped off (space between bezel and bracelet).

Thanks in advance!
 
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Wcfranek

Getting To Know The Place
11/5/21
25
0
0
First, congrats on actually getting a Noob blue dial. It looks like somehow the Ali Express vendor got hold of some stock. Unfortunately it also appears that his stock may be samples that aren't perfect (maybe rejects) as this is now the second one of his we've seen with a crooked dial. This is a different one, the inner dial is offset in the opposite, counterclockwise direction.

ZxkVmv.jpg


This can be fixed but it needs to be done by someone who knows what they're doing. This is a rep with a dial arrangement unlike the gen and unlike any other rep I've ever worked on. The inner dial is held on by two short pieces of double stick tape that are quite strong. I literally had to put my thumb and forefinger fingernails (through finger cots) underneath the edges and gently but firmly pull it away. It is thin brass and it flexed a little so it's somewhat of a delicate removal. One could likely use a very thin scalpel razor underneath it after raising an edge a little but the GMT wheel is right there and can be easily damaged. The inner dial can be reattached with dial dots.

I'll repost my previous comments about the second hand post:

"BTW the 2nd one has a crooked center dial piece. This is not an uncommon QC issue on these, that dial piece is just stuck on with double-sided tape. It can be fixed but requires removing the hands, which on any DG movement is a roll of the dice. The second hand pinion is ultra thin at 0.17mm and can snap off in a heartbeat. At that point the whole movement is pretty much done because to replace the second wheel requires disassembly of the combined bridge from the backside. That bridge has 5 pinions under it that all have to be stood up perfectly in loose jewels while the bridge is put back in place. It is maddeningly fiddly, and buying a new movement is a better option. The movements in these are only about $55. The same is true for any DG2813 at $25 or DG3804 at $40."

Good luck!

According to my previous post I noticed, that loose on bezel is because of my mistake done by removing small piece of tape, that filled gap between bezel and watch. I think that only way to fix that is removing bezel, placing another piece of tape and putting on bezel again. Is it easy enough to do this? I am totally new with reps and watches so I don't even know how to remove that or beacuse of month indicator red piece is it safe and easy.

Thanks in advance for some advice :)
 

KJ2020

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According to my previous post I noticed, that loose on bezel is because of my mistake done by removing small piece of tape, that filled gap between bezel and watch. I think that only way to fix that is removing bezel, placing another piece of tape and putting on bezel again. Is it easy enough to do this? I am totally new with reps and watches so I don't even know how to remove that or beacuse of month indicator red piece is it safe and easy.

Thanks in advance for some advice :)

Bro there is not supposed to be a piece of tape between the bezel and the case. There are some pics in the thread linked below that show the bezel removed. It's possible your gasket is not seated properly or slightly misshapen. IDK that I would mess with it if it isn't really bad. Sometimes we make things worse when we take reps apart :eek:. Rep gaskets can be very difficult to find suitable replacements for sometimes.

https://forum.replica-watch.info/fo...b-sky-dweller-command-bezel-assembly-pictures
 
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Wcfranek

Getting To Know The Place
11/5/21
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Bro there is not supposed to be a piece of tape between the bezel and the case. There are some pics in the thread linked below that show the bezel removed. It's possible your gasket is not seated properly or slightly misshapen. IDK that I would mess with it if it isn't really bad. Sometimes we make things worse when we take reps apart :eek:. Rep gaskets can be very difficult to find suitable replacements for sometimes.

https://forum.replica-watch.info/for...embly-pictures


Sorry for bad quality video. I can even place some tape in the gap and it is much better, but it's hard to place piece of tape invisibily :/
 
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KJ2020

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Sorry for bad quality video. I can even place some tape in the gap and it is much better, but it's hard to place piece of tape invisibily :/

You could try using s piece of dental floss. Try to find some that is flat. Pull a section under the bezel, cross it over itself and pull it back to the other side. Test if it helps and if so tie a simple knot in it and cut it close to the bezel. Stuff the excess underneath. If still too loose, add another loop.

It's a cheap fix that works sometimes. You may have to re-do it if it comes loose. Take note if it creates an unacceptable gap between the bezel and case and if so abandon the attempt before knotting it.
 
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Wcfranek

Getting To Know The Place
11/5/21
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You could try using s piece of dental floss. Try to find some that is flat. Pull a section under the bezel, cross it over itself and pull it back to the other side. Test if it helps and if so tie a simple knot in it and cut it close to the bezel. Stuff the excess underneath. If still too loose, add another loop.

It's a cheap fix that works sometimes. You may have to re-do it if it comes loose. Take note if it creates an unacceptable gap between the bezel and case and if so abandon the attempt before knotting it.

Sorry, but I have one more problem. I changed that watch for one with centered dial and I got one with probably bracelet badly done. Is it possible that it is reason why first link of bracelet is too visible? Like this.

Is it possible to fix this? Thanks!
 

KJ2020

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jzaudL.jpg

Sorry, but I have one more problem. I changed that watch for one with centered dial and I got one with probably bracelet badly done. Is it possible that it is reason why first link of bracelet is too visible? Like this.
jzavxR.jpg


Is it possible to fix this? Thanks!

It looks like they gave you a different bracelet bro. Is that an OP8 clasp code? If so, that's lesser quality bracelet often used on cheaper reps. It obviously doesn't fit the case well and they had to bend the hell out of the springbars to make it stay attached. The Noob Skydweller clasp code should be D1E

jzm54I.jpg


Do you have a way to measure the lug width? I'm asking because the Noob lug width is 22mm.

How do you adjust the month indicator on that rep?
 
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Wcfranek

Getting To Know The Place
11/5/21
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My photos I got before shipment.
jzmu58.jpg
jzmwoQ.jpg
jzmM0R.jpg
jzm4TL.jpg
jzmvBK.jpg
jzm7Nv.jpg
jzmNK1.jpg

Month indicator works like Noob one. I can still return it and get money back, but I am not sure I can manage to get different one.
 
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KJ2020

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My photos I got before shipment.
jzmwoQ.jpg
jzmvBK.jpg
jzm7Nv.jpg

Month indicator works like Noob one. I can still return it and get money back, but I am not sure I can manage to get different one.

That's definitely a cheaper quality bracelet, and as you see the fit is not good. You could try some different springbars but usually when the SEL hole and the lug detents don't match up you have to use thin springbars and bend the tips make it fit. The datewheel also looks different, it's a lot bolder with less gen-like fonts. It looks like some factory bought up leftover Noob parts and put them together along with replacement parts as needed. Here's a good look at the whole Noob datewheel.

jzjMSQ.jpg


Look at your date font of 7 in your previous pic compared to my pic above.
 
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Wcfranek

Getting To Know The Place
11/5/21
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That's definitely a cheaper quality bracelet, and as you see the fit is not good. You could try some different springbars but usually when the SEL hole and the lug detents don't match up you have to use thin springbars and bend the tips make it fit. The datewheel also looks different, it's a lot bolder with less gen-like fonts. It looks like some factory bought up leftover Noob parts and put them together along with replacement parts as needed. Here's a good look at the whole Noob datewheel.

jzjMSQ.jpg


Look at your date font of 7 in your previous pic compared to my pic above.

Thanks! I think that somehow it can still be Noob, but different batch may decide about some differences, but this bracelet is terrible. Is it possible to somehow order just D1E bracelet and change it?

Thanks in advance!
 

KJ2020

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Thanks! I think that somehow it can still be Noob, but different batch may decide about some differences, but this bracelet is terrible. Is it possible to somehow order just D1E bracelet and change it?

Thanks in advance!

AFAIK there was only ever one batch and one version of Noob Skydwellers made. I've followed rep Skydwellers for three years and have three of them so I think if there were any other Noob releases I would know. Some other factories have made them - AIF, TWF, and some unknowns, etc. But many of the others (including my other two) have 21mm lug width. That's why I asked you about that previously. There's no telling where Noob sourced the 22mm D1E bracelet and oysterlock clasp, and in any event even before Noob was raided and is now maybe permanently shut down, they wouldn't let any of three vendors I talked to source any Skydweller parts. A 22mm PCL oyster bracelet is going to be very hard to find.
 
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Wcfranek

Getting To Know The Place
11/5/21
25
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AFAIK there was only ever one batch and one version of Noob Skydwellers made. I've followed rep Skydwellers for three years and have three of them so I think if there were any other Noob releases I would know. Some other factories have made them - AIF, TWF, and some unknowns, etc. But many of the others (including my other two) have 21mm lug width. That's why I asked you about that previously. There's no telling where Noob sourced the 22mm D1E bracelet and oysterlock clasp, and in any event even before Noob was raided and is now maybe permanently shut down, they wouldn't let any of three vendors I talked to source any Skydweller parts. A 22mm PCL oyster bracelet is going to be very hard to find.

Okay, thanks unfortunately it is not available in better condition, so maybe there is a way to buy and change just a clasp for that D1E or other. Bracelet is like 21.5 mm, on watch place for it is exactly 22mm. It doesnt look that bad on wrist now, but on clasp even crown is in bad position.
 

Wcfranek

Getting To Know The Place
11/5/21
25
0
0
AFAIK there was only ever one batch and one version of Noob Skydwellers made. I've followed rep Skydwellers for three years and have three of them so I think if there were any other Noob releases I would know. Some other factories have made them - AIF, TWF, and some unknowns, etc. But many of the others (including my other two) have 21mm lug width. That's why I asked you about that previously. There's no telling where Noob sourced the 22mm D1E bracelet and oysterlock clasp, and in any event even before Noob was raided and is now maybe permanently shut down, they wouldn't let any of three vendors I talked to source any Skydweller parts. A 22mm PCL oyster bracelet is going to be very hard to find.

So maybe a posibility to buy clasp that fit and change that one for better quality? I also noticed new problem with that clasp like that. Maybe you know how I can fix it?
 

KJ2020

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So maybe a posibility to buy clasp that fit and change that one for better quality? I also noticed new problem with that clasp like that. Maybe you know how I can fix it?
jzsenD.jpg

Yikes that really is a cheap bracelet but I had one like it so don't give up yet. You can just glue the lift lock to the inside of the clasp. You can use super glue gel, E6000, or epoxy. Be careful not to get glue on the hinge pin that fits right next to the lift lock.

I like to be neat with my glue jobs so I put some pieces of bracelet tape at locations where the glue would dry with nice borders. I used BSI 30 minute epoxy. It *shouldn't* ever come apart. Remove the tape before the glue cures.

jzsN2s.jpg


jzs7F3.jpg
 
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