Press the stem release button when inserting stem into the ETA?

[McDuck888]

Hi everybody, I'm preparing to use a tiny-sized ETA 2671 in something i'd like to build soon. I haven't touched anything with an ETA movement in years, strangely, and I'm trying to remember if I should press the stem release button when re-inserting the stem, or if I just reinsert it without pressing the button please? @pompompurin Pom, the Master of ETA. Do you know if I need to press and hold in the little button on reinsertion please? or no need, just push the stem in without touching any button at all?


I remember having mixed luck with ETA movements in the past, some I messed up the keyless works on my attempt to reinsert the stem, and some worked out great. I remember being told to use my red coloured/ red sized jewelers screwdriver to press the stem release button because it's the right size that it doesn't go too deep, and since then I never had a problem with ruining the keyless works.

The 2671 ETA is much smaller than the 2836, 2824 movements I've previously worked with though, so I wonder If I should stick with a too-large screwdriver to only press the button a little.

 

[McDuck888]

@KJ2020 KJ, what is your technique for putting an ETA stem back into the movement please? Do you press the stem release button? Straight or give it a wiggle? Or just hold it straight and push it in without touching the stem release button please?

 

[asusundevils1971]

Found this and maybe it will help.

https://watchguy.co.uk/tmp/ETA%202660,2671,2678.pdf

 

[KJ2020]

You should not need to push the stem release button in to reinsert an ETA stem. You may need to turn the stem so its square section can enter the square hole in the sliding pinion. If you have correctly applied some grease to the square part of the stem, the two parts can stick together briefly delaying an instant entry and requiring some wiggling.

If the keyless gets fouled in a failed stem insertion attempt it can usually be fixed externally.

External keyless reset

 

[McDuck888]

You should not need to push the stem release button in to reinsert an ETA stem. You may need to turn the stem so its square section can enter the square hole in the sliding pinion. If you have correctly applied some grease to the square part of the stem, the two parts can stick together briefly delaying an instant entry and requiring some wiggling.

If the keyless gets fouled in a failed stem insertion attempt it can usually be fixed externally.

External keyless reset

Super duper. Thank you Sir.
Would you remove the stem in time setting position or winding position please? I think i've been doin' it all wrong.

 

[McDuck888]

Found this and maybe it will help.

https://watchguy.co.uk/tmp/ETA%202660,2671,2678.pdf

This is a gorgeous resource. Thanks a lot for this @asusundevils1971

 

[McDuck888]

@KJ2020 I just did a quick google search outside of the forum (perhaps I should have done that in the first instance before asking for a hand with this) But I read that the stem should be released in winding position. Something i've never done, I do every stem removal in time setting position on the stem. D'oh! Thank you KJ

 

[asusundevils1971]

Not a problem and glad I could give a little help in your journey.

 

[McDuck888]

@KJ2020 WOW! That keyless reset page you'd made is beautiful. Thank you so much for the super resource. I've always, always wished I knew how to reset the keyless works on an ETA.

 

[KJ2020]

@KJ2020 WOW! That keyless reset page you'd made is beautiful. Thank you so much for the super resource. I've always, always wished I knew how to reset the keyless works on an ETA.

The usual way to reset a keyless works is to disassemble it then rebuild and relube it. But if it happens after just placing the dial and hands an external reset can save a lot of grief.

 

[McDuck888]

@KJ2020 You've made my day. Once again. Awesome.

 

[McDuck888]

@KJ2020 When you push the stem release button to remove the stem. Which position do you have your stem in please. Time setting or winding position?

 

[KJ2020]

@KJ2020 When you push the stem release button to remove the stem. Which position do you have your stem in please. Time setting or winding position?

Time setting for ETA

 

[pompompurin]

All the advice here is brilliant!

I remember having mixed luck with ETA movements in the past, some I messed up the keyless works on my attempt to reinsert the stem, and some worked out great

If you accidentally mess up the keyless, I always recommend this video for resetting the keyless for 2824-2 (I think the principles are similar for 2671):