Vintage 'Services' 17 Jewel Movement Case Disassembly

[LMS]

I have scrolled through the 17 pages on this sub-forum but alas could not find the answer I am looking for.

How on earth do I get this movement out!! I have (stupidly) disassembled most of the watch insitu, hoping there would be some magic screw or something I was missing to remove the movement (which will make putting the keyless works back together more fun having not photographed it before disassembly). There appears to be a ring holding the movement in place but that is not going anywhere.

Surely, the movement comes out the front and the bezel comes off right? Well I can find no evidence that the bezel comes off nor does my aiming various case knives at it seem to help. Finally, I can't see anyway that my Ali Express bezel remover gets in on the act either.

Would one of you more seasoned guys (once you've stopped sniggering, which is quite understandable) be able to enlighten me please?

By way of background, I am early doors in the watchmaking journey, and soon hope to transition through the 'destroying everything I touch phase'. 

My plan, having progressed from ST3600 which I am now comfortable with, is to 'tinker' with some simple job lot vintage hand wind movements (I've finished and refer to Mark's course 1-3 and am also working my way through Alex Hamilton's Apprentice Course, I think they are both excellent). Having succeeded hopefully with servicing a few vintage hand-wind pieces, my plan is to tackle an  NH35, before moving on to some more joblot vintage date/automatic movements.

My current journey target aims to work through cheaper pieces to end at some slightly more meaningful pieces (some Oris watches which were again relatively cheap auction purchases and a Seiko 5 auction bag). My target is to be proficient enough to service vintage watches as a hobby, and assemble some new pieces which may incorporate something interesting involving my fiber laser (unnecessarily purchased because I just had to have one and have found an excuse to use it on my first assembly project- a flieger with a twist). I guess my ultimate dream would be to one day be able to service pieces from my/wife's collection (at the moment that is so far beyond the horizon I cannot see it, but but let's see how we progress).

All help gratefully received.

 

[Nucejoe]

Long posts are unattractive to readers.

In your watch ,compared to the bezel ring, the dial is large, indicating a front loader.

Remove the bezel ring.

Rgds

[AndyGSi]

Have you tried just removing the crystal.

[LMS]

Andygsi, as Nucejoe said the dial is larger so the bezel must come off (thanks for the tip, brevity from this point on).

Anyone tips on doing this when I just can't see a way to remove the bezel?

[Nucejoe]

Sometimes the seam between the bezel and bezel ring is so fine that wont be noticed at first.

Look between lugs on both sides, where usually manufacturers cut a lip to be hidden. 

Anywhere along the seam you find a fine gap, insert a one sided razor blade into the gap, work your way around the bezel.

You get good at after defacing a few watches. lol

Agree with Andy, try removing the crystal ,  first.

Good luck

Edited September 14, 2024 by Nucejoe
Typo

[AndyGSi]

Looks like you've already had a good hack at the bezel so don't suppose you've anything to loose now.

[LMS]

I can't get a razor in. Bezel remover won't budge it. I even broke out the big guns (swiss army knife).

Any other tips before we move to angle grinder?

 

[Nucejoe]

 Might not be front loader after all, just noticed a movement ring, around the movement, try removing it.

[LMS]

Yep, now don't I feel like a silly boy. I did try to do that earlier, but clearly not sufficiently. Thanks for the help 

[Nucejoe]

 Good thing about this ordeal is you already have a disassembled movement.