How to properly remove the hands of a GMT 126720 if stem is broken and stuck inside

[Gio]

Hello,

I'm attempting to fix a GMT 126720 that the stem got broken inside, I already try tapping while holding the release button to see if it drops by itself but not luck so far, I will attempt the magnet method but I doubt It would work either, so mostly planning on disassembling and servicing the watch. What would be the right way to remove the hands if I cannot move them to the 12 o'clock position? stop the watch and see where the hands were before removing them and then set them in the same position when putting them back? Thanks in advance for any advice!

[AndyGSi]

Welcome to the forum.

How much of the stem is remaining and can you post photo showing this and also the movement around where the stem enters.

 

[Gio]

1 hour ago, AndyGSi said:

Welcome to the forum.

How much of the stem is remaining and can you post photo showing this and also the movement around where the stem enters.

 

Thank you!! 
 

its pretty far inside, I will post a photo when I get a chance. But mostly looking to service the movement regardless of the stem stuck inside, I’m just wondering of the position of the hands at the time of removing them, and installing them back in without the possibility of moving them to the 12 o clock as usual

[AndyGSi]

If you're doing a full service then everything is going to have to be realigned anyway.

I've got some crowns with a very long tube I use to get a grip on the stem and remove it.

[Jon]

It isn't 100% necessary to have the hands at 12. They can be facing opposite to each other so you are gripping the underside of the hub of the hands and not the hand itself, if that makes sense

Edited April 3 by Jon

[Gio]

6 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

If you're doing a full service then everything is going to have to be realigned anyway.

I've got some crowns with a very long tube I use to get a grip on the stem and remove it.

Mmm that’s a good idea but mine it’s just the tip so no threads at all, I will try to remove the stem first without tearing the whole thing first see if I can get it out, thanks for the tips 

[Gio]

5 minutes ago, Jon said:

It isn't 100% necessary to have the hand at 12. They can be facing opposite to each other so you are gripping the underside of the hub of the hands and not the hand itself, if that makes sense

I get what you mean, I’m not worried about where to remove them underside of the hands, just the positions at the time of reinstalling them

[AndyGSi]

Can you still see the stem inside the case.

If you can then the other option is rodico on the end of thin tweezers to grip it and slide it out in stages.

[Gio]

1 hour ago, AndyGSi said:

Can you still see the stem inside the case.

If you can then the other option is rodico on the end of thin tweezers to grip it and slide it out in stages.

You think rodico would grip that much? More than a magnet could? 

[RichardHarris123]

2 hours ago, Gio said:

I’m not worried about where to remove them underside of the hands, just the positions at the time of reinstalling them

It doesn't matter when you remove them, the ratio of the various wheels are the same, replace them at 12 o'clock. 

[AndyGSi]

42 minutes ago, Gio said:

You think rodico would grip that much? More than a magnet could? 

Rodico on tweezers.

[Jon]

I would try a winding stem extender that is oversized. Ream out the extender to get rid of the thread so it able to go over the broken stem like a sheath. Once that is reamed accordingly, put some superglue inside the stem extender and onto the broken stem.

[VWatchie]

I'm not sure I follow along here. In situations where I've had a broken stem, I've removed the stem during the disassembly of the keyless works. Of course, if the stem hinders the movement from being extracted from the case, that's a different situation.

Ah, I think I get it! The OP only wants to replace the stem, not service it?

[Gio]

On 4/5/2025 at 5:08 AM, VWatchie said:

I'm not sure I follow along here. In situations where I've had a broken stem, I've removed the stem during the disassembly of the keyless works. Of course, if the stem hinders the movement from being extracted from the case, that's a different situation.

Ah, I think I get it! The OP only wants to replace the stem, not service it?

thanks for the reply, I got it working, I was just trying to remove the stem inside the keyless works by partially disassembling the movement to get there, but since I was not able to move the hands to the 12 o'clock before removing them I was wondering what was the right procedure on a GTM, but I got it, just removed them as they were and at the time of installing them just move them until date changes and installed them at the 12o'clock and it worked perfect, I though it was a bit different with the GMT hand.