Mending a Swiss watch is similar to repairing a watch made in the United States or Japan. All watches, whether mechanical, automatic, or quartz, share the same basic components. Replacing batteries and repairing crystals (the glass that protects the dial) are straightforward operations. Repairing the mechanical movement, which is the spring motor that rotates and controls the clock, necessitates knowledge and skill. Minor repairs on timepieces manufactured prior to 1980 are extremely simple to carry out. After 1980, only expert watchmakers should perform repairs on modern timepieces. The movement of most non-working timepieces merely needs to be cleaned, not fixed.
Using a jeweler's loupe or a magnifying glass or magnifying glass, examine the crystal. If the scratches are severe, replace the crystal, which is composed of acrylic on older watches. A damaged sapphire crystal should be replaced by a watchmaker.
Apply a dab of Brasso or another equivalent polish to the crystal's surface. The watch's crystal does not need to be removed. As an alternative, toothpaste can be used. It possesses abrasive properties, similar to Brasso.
Apply the polish on the crystal using a toothbrush or a clean cloth. For about five minutes, rub lightly in circular strokes. Wipe the area clean with a cloth and repeat the process. Scratches on the surface must be removed.
Wrap your fingers around the bezel of an antique Swiss timepiece. The bezel is the ring around the outside of the crystal that holds it in place. With your fingertips, turn the bezel counterclockwise until it comes free from the watch case. To twist a recalcitrant scope, use a rubber can opener. Remove the bezel from the case of the watch.
Lift the crystal out of the watch case using a case blade or your fingernail. Plastic or rubber cement can be used to fix the crystal of an antique watch to the case. With your fingertips, wiggle the crystal in the case.
Brush or blow away dirt and dust from the dial with a brush with a squeeze bulb. To remove stubborn dirt, carefully clean the dial with a cotton swab dipped in lukewarm dish soap. Keep in mind that if you're not careful, moisture damage to older painted dials can occur.
Replace the crystal in the watch casing. Rubber cement or adhesive are not required to fasten it to the casing. With your fingertips, secure the replacement bezel to the case. Make sure the bezel is snug and the crystal is flush with the case by hand tightening it.
A case blade is used to open the case back of a vintage Swiss mechanical watch. Using a toothpick to push back the stopper, release the tension in the main spring, which is a metal ribbon wrapped around the main spring barrel. To wind the watch, the stopper is a little notch on the stem that is attached to the crown (winding at 3 o'clock).
Using a screwdriver, remove the two little screws that secure the movement to the watch casing. Get rid of the movement.
Remove the mainspring from the barrel using tweezers. The mainspring should be replaced. Reinstall the movement in the case and tighten the screws. Reassemble the watch by replacing the casing.
What is the procedure for calibrating an Omega automatic watch?
Omega is a Swiss watchmaker whose timepieces are renowned for their precision and quality all over the world. Although changing the calibration of an Omega automatic watch is normally the responsibility of your local authorised Omega dealer, the watch can be adjusted by the end user. Opening the watch and modifying the internal mechanisms is required to adjust the movement (internal watch mechanism). To avoid destroying your watch, you must take all required precautions.
Place the watch in its case or a soft towel to keep it safe. This prevents scratches from occurring when the back of an Omega watch is removed.
Fit the can opener posts to the grooves in the rear of the case and place it against the back of the watch. Remove the back of the watch by turning the opening counterclockwise. Place the watch face down carefully for subsequent replacement.
Using a jeweler's screwdriver, remove the antimagnetic cover from the watch. Place this small metal cover to the side to be replaced when the watch is closed.
On the Omega automatic movement, look for a tiny screw with little notches engraved with a + and a - symbol. The time is adjusted with this screw. To access the screw, you may need to turn the little weight of the movement.
Using a jeweler's screwdriver, turn the screw. The watch will adjust to be 5 seconds faster per day if you turn it towards the + sign. The watch will get 5 seconds slower each day if you face it towards the - symbol. Only this level of modification can be performed without the use of jeweler's tools.
Replace the antimagnetic cover on the watch movement, then replace the case. Screw the back clockwise with the can opener until it is tight against the clock.
How to take a Rolex watch's back off
Owners are recommended to take their Rolex watches to approved service centres for all services rather than attempting to fix them yourself, according to the literature that comes with the watch. The back of the watch may be removed in minutes with the correct tools. However, once the back is removed, the sensitive parts and instruments inside become more exposed, and you'll want to be sure you know exactly what you're doing from there.
Wherever watch repair products are available, pick up a Jaxa wrench and watch case holder (see Resources). These are specialist tools used only in the watchmaking and repair industry. A Jaxa key is a unique key that can open a variety of timepieces, including Rolexes. A watch case stand, which resembles a miniature vice grip, is a system for securely stabilising a watch while the back is removed.
To make it easier to slip the case in, release all of the screws surrounding the cradle of the case support, then loosen the screws that regulate the clamp on the bottom.
Tighten the screws after sliding the main clamp of the watch case holder over the edge of a worktable or other stable surface.
Place the Rolex watch case face down in the holder, then tighten the screws around the cradle until the watch is securely held.
Examine each of your Jaxa key bits and compare them to the notches on the rear of your Rolex watch case one by one. On different models, Rolex uses different notch styles, but all end caps are distinctive.
To the Jaxa wrench, attach the proper end covers. Attach three identical bits to the three bit holders protruding from the flat side of the wrench by pressing them all the way in.
Place the Jaxa key on the rear of the Rolex and align the drill bits with the watch case's notches. Turn the housing to the left by applying downward pressure. It will be challenging at first, but after the first half, it will become much easier. Continue rotating the key until the back of the case is loose enough to complete by hand or until the watch case comes loose.