The screws came loose and I lost the crown guard on my PAM 177. It took a while but I finally sourced a generic TI CG. Unfortunatley, when it arrived I discovered that the screw holes matched but the radius cut on the CG did not match the watch:
Look at that awful gap!
I had read many posts where modders stated they used hand held files to slowly match the CG to the case. I know the limits of my eye hand coordination and knew that trying to do it with a hand file (or a dremel) would result in a ruined CG.
After much thought I came up with this idea; What if there was a way I could use the shape of the case to shape the crown guard?
Here is the workaround I came up with:
First: Gather together the following tools:
Double sided tape and sandpaper
Step One: Open the back of the case, loosen the screw that hold the crown in place and remove the crown.
Yes, I totally disassebled the watch, but it is not neccesary - just make sure you plug the hole so no junk enters the case.
Once you remove the crownguard replace the back.
Step Two: Apply a strip of double sided tape to the side of the watch where the crown guard will be installed
Step Three: Cut a narrow strip of MEDIUM grade carbide (for sanding metal) sandpaper and place it on top of the double sided tape
Step Four: Place the Crown Guard (CG) on top of the tape and sandpaper
Step Five: With light down pressure begin moving the CG in a circular motion.
I used two hands to do this - the photo is just to illustrate the position of the CG :wink:
Step Six: Check the sandpaper every few minutes to insure there are no tears. If you go through the sandpaper you will scratch the case.
Change the sandpaper often.
Step Six: Examine the bottom of the crown guard. Note how only the edge (in white) is smooth while the area in red is still rough.
This means you need to keep sanding
Step Seven: Don't give up - it took me about 45 minutes and lots of little strips of sandpaper.
Step Eight: Once the botton of the crownguard looks uniformly smooth it is time to switch to FINE grit carbide sandpaper.
After another minute or two of grinding, take the tape and sandpaper off the watch and do a trial fit of the CG. You will probably need to do this a few times.
Replace the tape and sandpaper and repeat the grinding process until you are happy with the fit.
Step Nine: Finished. Note the totally gapless fit. I am a happy modder.
Good luck!
DISCLAIMER
Please make sure that you understand that the information provided here is being provided freely, and that no kind of agreement or contract is created. The material is informational only. I can not and will not be held responsible for damages to or resulting from anything that you may decide to do to your watch.
Look at that awful gap!
I had read many posts where modders stated they used hand held files to slowly match the CG to the case. I know the limits of my eye hand coordination and knew that trying to do it with a hand file (or a dremel) would result in a ruined CG.
After much thought I came up with this idea; What if there was a way I could use the shape of the case to shape the crown guard?
Here is the workaround I came up with:
First: Gather together the following tools:
Double sided tape and sandpaper
Step One: Open the back of the case, loosen the screw that hold the crown in place and remove the crown.
Yes, I totally disassebled the watch, but it is not neccesary - just make sure you plug the hole so no junk enters the case.
Once you remove the crownguard replace the back.
Step Two: Apply a strip of double sided tape to the side of the watch where the crown guard will be installed
Step Three: Cut a narrow strip of MEDIUM grade carbide (for sanding metal) sandpaper and place it on top of the double sided tape
Step Four: Place the Crown Guard (CG) on top of the tape and sandpaper
Step Five: With light down pressure begin moving the CG in a circular motion.
I used two hands to do this - the photo is just to illustrate the position of the CG :wink:
Step Six: Check the sandpaper every few minutes to insure there are no tears. If you go through the sandpaper you will scratch the case.
Change the sandpaper often.
Step Six: Examine the bottom of the crown guard. Note how only the edge (in white) is smooth while the area in red is still rough.
This means you need to keep sanding
Step Seven: Don't give up - it took me about 45 minutes and lots of little strips of sandpaper.
Step Eight: Once the botton of the crownguard looks uniformly smooth it is time to switch to FINE grit carbide sandpaper.
After another minute or two of grinding, take the tape and sandpaper off the watch and do a trial fit of the CG. You will probably need to do this a few times.
Replace the tape and sandpaper and repeat the grinding process until you are happy with the fit.
Step Nine: Finished. Note the totally gapless fit. I am a happy modder.
Good luck!
DISCLAIMER
Please make sure that you understand that the information provided here is being provided freely, and that no kind of agreement or contract is created. The material is informational only. I can not and will not be held responsible for damages to or resulting from anything that you may decide to do to your watch.
