Cartel 1675 Mod - step 1, disassembly

[NCRich 13,746]

People have asked what is involved in modifying these 1675s so I just snapped some pics whilst I did the disassembly. I'll do the same with the other steps. To start, our subject:

 

 

Hands are set to 12 to make it easier to remove later. Sticky ball or its like to get the back off.

 

 

Blue screwdriver to remove the rotor.

 

 

Same screwdriver to remove movement holding screws

 

 

On most 21js I use the red screwdriver to avoid pressing too far and screwing the keyless, but on this gmt movement you need something smaller. I use a very small screwdriver or pin tool. Pull the crown gently while pressing the release lever very slowly. The stem will pop out and quit pressing. The key is touch. You don't want to be looking for a tutorial to rebuild a keyless.

 

 

Its out.

 

 

With the watch face side down place the cushion over the back and flip it over, letting the movement clear the case.

 

 

Put the stem back in the movement. On this movement I find it impossible to do this unless I lightly depress the release button, and gently insert the stem. A bit of a twist of the stem will help too. Put the movement in a holder and store the movement spacer. I generally use the yellow hand puller for removing hands. I made the dial protector out of a business card. Slide the card under the handset being careful not to damage indices. The position the protector so the feet of the puller won't damage the dial, Squeeze and the hands pop off. Sometimes I use the levers to ease a hand off. You really need the levers when the sec hand is already off, because the puller would likely damage the pinion.

 

 

Oh hell, I popped off one of the indices when I put the "protector" on. No biggie, spot of glue and place it back on the dial.

 

 

This is why the cartel dials suck. They use indices instead of painting the lume on. SUCK, SUCK, SUCK. There are ways of making it acceptable but no way to make it stellar other than buying a dial that costs as much as this watch. See how they are raised?

 

 

There is also a dial holding screw at 6 and 11. Unscrew those a bit and you can take off the dial. Be careful not to lose the gmt pieces, especially the tension ring (little brass bent washer).

 

 

 

Now to disassemble the bezel and plexi from the case. This is where lots of people screw up. You have to very carefully ease the bezel assembly off using both a razor blade and a case knife. If you don't do it very evenly you will destroy the plastic gasket that secures the bezel assembly to the plexi.

 

 

Case knife to ease it up a bit more.

 

 

And poof, off safely ( I screwed the gasket on the first one I did cause I didn't know it was there). If you do mess it up you can order a replacement from a watch supplier but it took me many tries to find one that actually fit. Don't screw it up.

 

Run a case knife under the bezel insert from the inside of the bezel assembly. It is held on by double sided tape and will come off easily.

 

 

I'm going to be using files around the crown guards so I'm taking out the tube. I use a 4 sided file to take it out. First I tease out the oring inside the tube and then put the file in and rotate counterclockwise. Usually backs out without incident.

 

 

Everything neatly stored away until the next step.

 

[BM284 1,518]

Interesting step by step read - great pictures too Rich ....waiting now for part two....

[Daffy 105]

Is that a "hurry the hell up", Boomoo?

 

Fantastic job so far, Rich. It emboldens me to try it myself.

[BM284 1,518]

Is that a "hurry the hell up", Boomoo?

 

Fantastic job so far, Rich. It emboldends me to try it myself.

 

 

in the nicest possible way...

[GC 4,475]

Nice. I love these tutorials... keeps me from trying myself.

[Nomads 0]

Thanks for your tutorial. its very informative and waiting for part 2. keep that coming.

 

Are you able to do a tutorial for vintage lume at the minutes marker and hands as well. That will be lovely too.

 

cheers.