Waltham deck clock bezel removal

[RyanH]

Hi everyone. I'm expanding my horizons and working on this very old waltham deck clock from WW1. I wasn't initially able to figure out how to get the movement out of the case so I figured I'd remove what I could and maybe it would come to me. As you can see I was able to get the movement open and remove most of the major components and am now struggling to get the movement out again. There were 2 screws on the outer rim of the case holding the movement holder in the case which seem to be designed to stabilize the movement laterally. I also removed the bolted stem. However, twisting this whole assembly doesn't do anything besides spin the case. I presume I need to get the outer ring on the dial side off, and although it looks like there's threading that you can see through a notch (pictured) I cant get it to twist off even after dousing in WD40 over night. Of course, I reinstalled the screws on the other side while trying this to lock the case into place. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

-Ryan

[AndyGSi]

It does look like it's threaded which is what I'd expect.

What are you trying to unscrew it with as I think you'll just have to persevere.

[RyanH]

My hands haha. I thought about super gluing a jar lid on the top but I think the crystal will get in the way. Any tool suggestions? Thanks for the reply

[clockboy]

This a clock I have not worked on but when confronted with a new clock movement it requires a study of how it was assembled.  The pic I have posted highlights an area to look at. I would say the bezel and glass needs to be removed first.

[RyanH]

7 minutes ago, clockboy said:

This a clock I have not worked on but when confronted with a new clock movement it requires a study of how it was assembled.  The pic I have posted highlights an area to look at. I would say the bezel and glass needs to be removed first.

Thanks @clockboy. Any suggestions on a tool/method to make this easier? Twisting by hand is getting hard on my thumbs

[AndyGSi]

23 minutes ago, RyanH said:

My hands haha. I thought about super gluing a jar lid on the top but I think the crystal will get in the way. Any tool suggestions? Thanks for the reply

I think your best option would be a strap type car oil filter remover.

[oldhippy]

Is there a hinge on the bezel. I have magnified the photo and there is a split in the bezel just down from where it looks as if something has broken off.

[AndyGSi]

1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

Is there a hinge on the bezel. I have magnified the photo and there is a split in the bezel just down from where it looks as if something has broken off.

It does look like there's a split but also looks like it's treaded.

[oldhippy]

I would say it unscrews.  What are these for?  marked in red.

[RyanH]

13 hours ago, oldhippy said:

I would say it unscrews.  What are these for?  marked in red.

Nuts fit around those notches and get screwed down to fix the movement holder in place. I ordered an oil filter remover which should arrive tomorrow. I will report back on how it goes. Surely, I will need to replace the nuts and screws on the back side as you pointed out

[RyanH]

On 8/11/2024 at 2:42 PM, AndyGSi said:

I think your best option would be a strap type car oil filter remover.

Update: this worked like a charm. I will post photos once the project is finished