ETA 2824 DWO dial clearance

[Perpetual]

Hi all

working on a sillita sw200 movement fitting a dwo and finding out it is too high to clear the dial..

check 1) lifted date wheel past gears/plate using dial dots

check 2) glued the dwo on the datewheel

check 3) fitted the dial spacer ring low clearance of the dwo..

check 4) Stumped.. need a way to clear high put dwo which is pasted the dial spacer ring.

Is there a difference in height size between 2836 and 2824 dial spacer?

 

[KJ2020]

Dial spacers come in different thicknesses, sometimes with no logic other than saving money. It can get frustrating trying to mod datewheels because of the ripple effect you are experiencing. Everything has to work together.

In this pic, the gold 2836 and silver 2824 have the same thickness spacer but the 2826 movement has an extra "step" to its profile. The spacer fits onto the top step on each movement, so the height of the 2836 will be above the 2824. The 2836 spacer is also smaller in diameter to fit the slightly narrower top step.

The next pics show a 2824 with a DWO mounted. The DWO clears the minute bridge screw with just GS Hypo cement glue thickness, and the spacer is tall enough to allow the DWO to clear the dial. Note that with the short H2 Canon pinion there is not a lot of room for hands, I had to use hands with deep tubes on them so they would clear the top side of the dial.

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So you see it's a puzzle, the pieces all have to fit together. There are all kinds of spacers and hands, etc. Some modders are expert at custom making spacers and movement holders. You'll just have to tinker with pieces til they fit in your puzzle. Having a few different sizes of the pieces on hand is a big help.

 

[Perpetual]

MAN YOUR AWESOME!!

This is some vital and informative information! Great pics by the way!

I was worried about that plate along the teeth edge of the date wheel, was told use a piece of paper between to cover but seemed to me like not eough but if GS cement clears it I have that stuff on hand!

mind sharing with me of your choiced dial spacer ring and where one could get such a nice ring like that its perfect! Im using original sillita movemt ring (too thin)

Yes I am aware of the spacing with the hand stack I ordered factory fresh sillita sw200 movement along with H4 pinions which I'm deciding whether to istal or not as I do have tall post hand set which I would prefer to use.

my stump now is to find a nice dial seat ring. The one I have (raffles #2) could be used as one but doesn't fit my ST case right.. doesn't fallow through with the dial after its cased the ring doesnt seat with dial inside the case

 

[Perpetual]

Nice date wheel overlay by the way! That isn't raffles is it? Looks great!

 

[KJ2020]

It's pretty hard to find aftermarket great quality dial spacers. You can check ebay, ofrei, cousins uk, etc.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/302876368073

The best ones I have came from gen Swiss movements or Helenarou GMT movements, nice spacer rings.

You can add space on top of a spacer ring with a paper, plastic or cardboard ring like you mentioned. I've used dial dots for the same result, which is easier than fabricating a proper size ring. I use the rectangular ones and cut them thin enough so they don't extend past the edges of the spacer. Then put 4 of them around the top of the ring about 1/4 in. long. The ring will then stick to the dial on future removals, which should not present any problems.

https://www.esslinger.com/watch-repair-parts-watch-dial-adhesives-package-of-100/

BK has the best ETA DWOs short of gen. $40 each

 

[Perpetual]

Thanks man i really appreciate all the detailed information ill be on the hunt for a decent movement holder/dial spacer ring. I want to build my 5 digit sub nice because it will be my daily wear.

ST 3135 case set, Here it is at its most current stage, a little bit reshaped rebrushed and polished




Crown guards are indeed stubby as mentioned by other members but they're good enough for me I'm all in because with the case because of the lug holes.

cheers man you have a great collection of watches yourself i especially like the GMT

 

[KJ2020]

That case looks very good to me. I like lug holes, it makes bracelet removal so much easier. Is this a different project from your ETA DW issues? Asking because it's a 3135 case. Or you're just using a 2824 for similar stem height? Nothing like putting a watch together from scratch. Really makes it personal. Patience is key, good luck!

 

[Perpetual]

Thanks man! Yea i took my time on the shaping and brushing with this one, yes this is the project im working on it is a 3135 case indeed yes your right i am using a 2824 movement for similar stem height with Gen date wheel as am overlay. It sure is something putting together from stratch this is my first REAL build ive done similar but nothing this complex it truly is personal and needs patience

 

[KJ2020]

I've not tried to put a gen DW on an ETA, but I'm doing something very similar right now. I discovered quite accidentally that an ETA DJ41 DW is exactly the same size as the DG2813/DG3804. The DJ41 DW has much more Rolex like numerals so it makes sense to use one as an overlay. Often you can peel off the printed disc from the metal plate with teeth but not so on the DJ41, or the gen. So I sanded the teeth and the little raised plate off.

The thing about a gen though, is I believe the date window is shifted a little, maybe 1mm toward the canon pinion so you may end up with a slightly left justified date in the window. In fact I have a theory that Noob only makes gen-like DWs (3135s) and thats why Noob DWs on ETAs always look left justified.

Anyway, I would think modding a gen DW to fit an ETA would look very much like what I just did to this DJ41 DW.
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Masking tape won't hurt the DW and keeps it clean

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Tape it to a crystal die and check progress often

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[Perpetual]

Wow great work! I didnt know that about the DJ41 eaither great find! What you did is very cool It involves a little bit of process but thats the thing about moding! Like you said take time and patience.

yes you are right about the slight shift towards the pinion with the date window but with a Gen dial it should compensate for the shift no? Should go together with gen datwheel fingers crossed.

what you did with the scotch tape over the date disk is what i may have to do to raise the dial spacer ring couple coats of that tape should raise it to clear the dwo of the dial.

will work on it when i can will update

 

[KJ2020]

Yes a gen dial will correct for the DW offset. I would glue some new feet on the dial rather than use dial dots. It will be a much better permanent solution. You can use the actual movement as template if you are careful. That's how I do it.

Clip and sand your old dial feet off, put new feet and spacer ring onto the movement. Little blob of slow cure epoxy on the new dial feet. Set the dial down, center over the canon pinion and 3 o'clock notch centered on the stem. Weigh it down on a dial protector. Of course soldering is the best pro way to do it but that's a skill I doubt I will ever try to master.

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[KJ2020]

Using a plastic spacer to build up the height of the dial spacer is another option. I don't think leaving tape inside a movement is something I would do. Adhesive can get hot and sticky and maybe spread.

You might be able to find a correct size silicone, teflon or even metal washer. It would have to be modded for the dial feet cutouts. Easy work. Thickness could be reduced with sanding if needed.

 

[Perpetual]

Hum.. I will have to look into that, I have seen members glueing dial feet on and browsing the web watch parts stores I came across dial feet for sale it would definitely be the better solution.

about the dial spacer your totally right! I didnt even thing of using a washer I have plenty in my gagrage! And I have a dremel tool and workbench with vise I will have to work on one for sure thanks for the tip!

Building is definitely creative have to think about some steps with moding this is becoming very interesting indeed!

teflon would definitely be a good one to us as well being that shaping it would be a breeze maybe the plumbing department at a harware store could get one something close

nice going using a Deep Sea case for weights gluing the dial feet in place I like that

 

[KJ2020]

Heh, that thing is an ankle weight alright. What that pic doesn't show is a washer around the canon pinion to keep the weight off it. With your higher pinion, a crystal die first, then a weight would be perfect.

 

[Perpetual]

Yep got crystal dies I will look into it as soon as I get some time with my project again. Thanks again for all your help! I will keep an update on progress

cheers man

 

[riderocket]

I'm sorry to bump this thread up. I can't help but say thank you to KJ2020 for the wealth of information.
This is my go to reference for anything DWO and dial spacers related.

 

[mclarendude]

Amazing thread. Just not too long ago I began to do my own DW aligning and all that and I wish I had this then. Thanks KJ!


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[bc1221]

You could always do the old school TC option. Use a layer or 2 of masking tape on the dial spacer ring. You don’t have to have the tape completely on the spacer. Just cut out little lines and place them where you can. It sounds silly but it works. Especially when working with dial dots because those shift it height when you tighten the movement tabs. It could look like it clears but once you tighten the tabs, the dates done flip.

Put a little strip on opposing sides (I do a layer over the keyless works and the opposite side. It barely clears the overlay so you don’t lose too much of the hour hand clearance from the dial.

I’ve tried a few different spacers. They’ve been either too short or too tall. So I used the shorter one and used the masking tape.

It’s the easiest and cheapest option.


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[botsyboy]

I used self adhesive dial dots when building Tc watches back in the day and it spaced just right to clear the works. Tc himself told me to do it that way.


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[Perpetual]

I used self adhesive dial dots when building Tc watches back in the day and it spaced just right to clear the works. Tc himself told me to do it that way.


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Yep, that's the way I do mine