Chronoswiss Kairos: How to get the movement through the front?

[Kalanag]

I got a Chronoswiss Kairos on my bench for service (ETA2892). The movement must definitely come out through the front.

What I am not sure about is whether this fragile looking bezel (gold) can be removed or it‘s just the crystal that has to come off.

It looks as if the beveled spacer between dial and crystal comes free as soon as the crystal is removed. I‘m not sure though.

Good ideas are highly appreciated.

 

Edited November 24, 2023 by Kalanag

[RichardHarris123]

I can't see any way of removing the crystal without removing the bezel but I could be wrong. 

[Kalanag]

It‘s a flat sapphire crystal with plastic gasket.

[Marc]

Assuming it isn't a one piece case try taking the back off so that you can remove the crown and stem, the replace the back and force air into the pendant tube with a syringe or a case pump to pop the crystal off.

[Kalanag]

The case back has a crystal too. So I would have to make sure that it doesn‘t pop off first.

[Kalanag]

Found a video with a similar Chronoswiss. Seems as if the bezel was screwed on. Will try it tomorrow…

Service of Chronoswiss Opus

[Kalanag]

The bezel of the Kairos looks different from the Opus in the above video.

I tried turning it with a Bergeon sticky ball. Due to the big surface and the slghtly protruding bezel I could apply a significant amount of torque with this „tool“. But nothing moved.

I found this knife offered on ebay. Might this be a hint? 

After carefully inspecting the crystal rim I found that the crystal is glued in. There is no plastic gasket as assumed before.

So removing the crystal seems not to be an option and the bezel is either pressed or screwed on.

I don‘t want to risk any damage on the golden bezel of this valuable watch. So I still hope to find a person who is familiar with Chronoswiss.

Edited November 25, 2023 by Kalanag

[RickTock]

Best of luck! The couple of times I've had to get into a watch through the front, I felt like I won the lottery each time the puzzle was solved. Hopefully a solution comes soon!

[RichardHarris123]

After more research I'm reasonably sure that it does unscrew. 

[Kalanag]

I think you could be right, Richard.

Next step is creating a tool with wich I can firmly grab and turn the bezel without damage.

….to be continued…

[rossjackson01]

This any help?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaLGF9hTySE

 

[Kalanag]

20 minutes ago, rossjackson01 said:

This any help?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaLGF9hTySE

 

That‘s it, Ross!

You are thr greatest!

Many thanks to you and the other helpful contributers !  

Karl

[Kalanag]

Happy end: The bezel is screwed off 

Edited November 27, 2023 by Kalanag

[RichardHarris123]

What did you use? 

[Kalanag]

A 3D-printed insert for a 36mm socket did the trick in combination with a super thin, double sided sticky tape. The tool is beveled to make sure that it grabs the bezel and not the protruding crystal.

The bezel was really tight!

 

Edited November 27, 2023 by Kalanag

[CYCLOPS]

there is also a sticky rubber ball that might could be used to un-screw the bezel

[Kalanag]

25 minutes ago, CYCLOPS said:

there is also a sticky rubber ball that might could be used to un-screw the bezel

Absolutely no chance with this kind of rubber ball. I have the Bergeon version.