Stellaris electronic watch--how to remove the movement

[LittleWatchShop]

I dug this one out and am trying to figure out how to open it.  Front loader?  I cannot tell.  The front-loaders I have worked on have two-part stems.  This one does not seem to have that.

Any ideas?

[LittleWatchShop]

I just asked noirrac1j because he had the same question several years ago...never saw an answer though.

[clockboy]

This one the back comes off. A very rare and interesting watch movement indeed.Wondering if yours the back unscrews like some vintage pocket watches or just friction fitted if so it will be difficult to remove without the correct tool.

[LittleWatchShop]

16 minutes ago, clockboy said:

This one the back comes off. A very rare and interesting watch movement indeed.Wondering if yours the back unscrews like some vintage pocket watches or just friction fitted if so it will be difficult to remove without the correct tool.

Indeed...that is my dilemma.  I don't want to bung it up.  I will continue to ponder it.  I kinda doubt it would screw on because the battery compartment must align correctly with the movement inside.  My guess is snap on or front loader...does not feel like the latter.

[jdm]

8 minutes ago, LittleWatchShop said:

Indeed...that is my dilemma.  I don't want to bung it up.  I will continue to ponder it.  I kinda doubt it would screw on because the battery compartment must align correctly with the movement inside.  My guess is snap on or front loader...does not feel like the latter.

That is a snap back case, you just have to find is there is a pry point albeit virtually invisible, if there is not the patiently and carefully work around the seam with an x-acto knife (a much safer tool that the routinely suggested razor blade) until you have enough purchase to insert a case knife, personally I prefer the Japanese type. In extreme cases, mostly found on current "quality" swiss watches using an hard gasket, then a specific tool may be needed. Check:

 

 

 

 

[watchweasol]

Hi Iam inclined to agree with jdm that its a snap back case. I had an IWC that some one blu tacked the battery in as the cover was missing and had to remove the back to remove the gunge.

[LittleWatchShop]

Have not tried this yet...

 

Stellaris

The movements below are all marked “Sears, Roebuck and Co.” and therefore the “Stellaris” name is probably owned by this large American Department store. My Westclox and Le Gant watches also carry the same movement but with different retailer’s markings.

The movements in these Stellaris watches are all Seiko 3302A although you’ll be hard pressed to see any identifying markings other than those of the retailer. It runs at 21,600 BPH and is similar to the later Seiko EL-370. Access to theses movements is through the acrylic crystal; the stem is removed by pressing a small tab between the dial and case edge — on the first photo below where the crystal has been removed, you can just make out the gap at the 4 oclock position. There is a battery hatch on the back. All have a crown between 2 and 3! They probably date from about 1973.

Stellaris also used other electric and electronic movements in their watches, such as PUWs and ESA Dynotrons.

[LittleWatchShop]

Here you are gentlemen!

 

[LittleWatchShop]

On 2/2/2021 at 8:35 AM, LittleWatchShop said:

I dug this one out and am trying to figure out how to open it.  Front loader?  I cannot tell.  The front-loaders I have worked on have two-part stems.  This one does not seem to have that.

Any ideas?

Any thoughts on what this case is made of?  It is soft.  Maybe gold flash...maybe gold plate (doubt it), brass...???