Dial Removal - Rotary Skelton Chronograph

[AM4862]

Hopefully the collective hive mind will be able to assist. I’ve acquired as above a Rotary Skelton Chronograph in a slightly sorry state. The minute, second and hour hands were off the dial as well as some of the indices. I’ve managed to take the movement out but the dial seems to be in a groove in the case. My assumption was that the works were dropped in from the front dial uppermost but there doesn’t appear to be anyway of getting the front of the case off. Has anyone any suggestions?

[Knebo]

Looks like you need to take the bezel of.

 

[AM4862]

That’s my assumption as I think the movement and dial are top loaded but there doesn’t seem to be a “cut” line in the case for separation 

[Knebo]

PS: if you are lucky to find a "notch", you can do it like this: 

 

 

[AM4862]

I’ll have another look, but I’ve had it under a ‘scope, illuminated magnifier and a loupe and can’t see one. Going to try again later and see if I can twist it off. Once I’ve sorted that there’s the subject of getting one of the indices from out of the works! The rose gold coloured piece in the red circle…..

Edited July 24, 2024 by AM4862

[Knebo]

if you can't find a notch, and if you don't have a proper bezel removing tool, and if the watch isn't too valuable, you can also use a razor blade (see here from 1:55 onwards): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUpGNOWRNOs)

 

[AndyGSi]

Is that not the join right next to your thumb.

[AM4862]

No it was a piece of muck! That said I found the tiniest of indentations between the lugs and with my smallest case knife - Bingo!!!

 

Thank you all for the advice, encouragement and not putting a newby down. I know it’s a cheap Chinese movement and the watch is probably not worth saving but it’s a challenge!

[Knebo]

Oh great! 

Newbies are usually treated well here if they introduce themselves and include enough information as well as photos in their posts. All of which, you did. 

 

I'm curious about this watch. So you were able to remove the movement without the dial... were they not attached to each other? Dial feet now broken off??

Or are movement and movement somehow attached independently to the case? Any photos of the open watch before you removed the movement? 

[AM4862]

Sadly no photos. Spee one had been in there before me. One dial foot is still attached to the movement and the other is still on the dial. I don’t have the wherewithal or skill to add anew foot it looks like dial dots….

That is assuming I can get the index that is stuck in the movement out without too much disassembly. One thing is for sure I’m not putting the “gold” accent that goes around the chrono dial back on the main dial.