Popping and re-installing the crystal on the 42mm Exp2

[bklm1234]

Mickey Padge asked me to fix up his 42mm Exp2. I'm not covering the 1st part of the fix which was to rotate the dial so it's in the correct x-y axis (Mickey himself did that) and re-attaching the DWO to it (I got my watchsmith partner to do it).

This post is about popping and re-installing the crystal so the cyclop is lined up to the date window.
First, double-tape up the lugs

Stick a utility blad between the case and the bezel

Use a mallet to pound the utiltiy blade in like I did on this 39mm exp2

You'll get a gap when the blade got all the way in

You can then use a caseback knife to pry off the bezel

Bezel is now off the case

You wouldn't scratch the lugs. Scratches are all under the bezel so no problem there

You need to use a press to press DOWN (not UP) on the crystal to get it out of the bezel. It's very tight.

Now put back the gut. Line up 12 o'clock to the engraved coronet on the rehaut

Wipe clean the crystal, fit it on the gasket, put them on the watch

Crystal and gasket are on the watch squarely

Position the bezel on the watch

Press the bezel down with a press

Finished. But crap!! The bezel shifted. It's not lined up properly to the dial. M***ER F**K*R! Start over.

Finally done and lined up. This time I was holding the bezel as I advanced the press so it wouldn't shift. Should have done that in the first place.

Happy modding.

-bk

 

[Muaitai]

Nice tutorial, thanks BK.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[PamLuver80]

bk you make this look soo easy! LOL I would wreck this watch in 13 seconds!

Thanks for the tutorial.

 

[Mickey Padge]

Sweet! Thanks very much BK!

 

[believer123]

LOL, great job, you make it look so easy. I know if I tried that, my watch would end up in the "watch cemetery!" I will definitely leave those matters to the professionals. Thanks anyway for sharing.

 

[BrinEter]

Great! Nice tutorial, well explained and with nice shots. Thank you!

 

[Mickey Padge]

Got the watch today, stunning, totally aligned, probably the best 42mm Exp II out there now!

 

[Mickey Padge]

Here is a quick pic!

 

[Ruprekt]

Same stock datewheel?

 

[correctime]

Same stock datewheel?

+1 on the DW.
Great job BK...thanks for sharing.

 

[Rick914]

Looks Great, Killer job and Congratz on the pieces Mickey! Both great guys here!

 

[Mickey Padge]

Thanks guys, stock date wheel, the problem was the date wheel was attached wrongly (too low), so the whole dial and crystal was installed to line up to the wonky date wheel, literally everything was turned a good few mm clockwise and looked really crooked and off......