After getting home last night, I got to work on trimming the stem down to fit the wrist watch case. I started out by inserting the uncut stem and marking where it exits the case with white paint, the same after attaching crown to see how far down it threads, measure the distance the crown threads down and add it to the side where the stem sticks out of the case....except that that measurement as suggested on the web does not work. When measuring the stem, trim nearly flush to the case in the down position (winding position, not hand setting) and file down to fit thereafter.
Once you are happy with the stem length, use either locktite or superglue to keep the crown from unscrewing when setting the time and that's it to the process. I was so exited to get the first watch done that I did not take any pictures of the stem fitting process but I plan to on the next watch build. In the mean time, here it is, prototype watch, hope you dig it.
Nice work! May I ask where you found that case?
ReplyDeleteHey Carl;
DeleteFor that build I used a case from Helen Rou, http://www.helenarou.com/
Thanks! One more question: The thread on the Hamilton 917 is wider than an ETA 6497. Since I assume the crown that came with the case was designed for a 6497 how did you modify the Hamilton stem to fit?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Carl
Hello again Carl;
DeleteYou are correct, the Hamilton stem is a hair wider. I used a 6497 stem which I cut to size in length (they come over sized) and fit the crown that came with the case which is for a 6497 stem size. The 6497 stem will work in the Hamilton since it is slightly narrower but not enough to create fit issues.