Modding the Crown Guard Pin of PAMs

[onzenuub 325]

Originally posted by Francisco on another board.

 

In order to have a good rep of a PAM watch many things have to take into account. It is not enough to have a good dial, lume, cannon pin mod… there are more flaws to be solved.

 

The experts may only need one second to realize we have a rep, just looking to the pin of the crown guard. Follow some pictures of a gen, look to this pin, it is absolutely flat. Red circle on first picture shows the real aspect of this pin.

 

 

More pictures of gens, color of the pin varies with the orientation of the light.

 

 

 

 

And this is the best picture I have found of the pin.

 

 

Next picture shows the problem with a cheap rep. No flat pin.

 

 

Follows a picture of my 111H with Little Hero dial and lumed. For many people this could be a gen. However, what about the crown guard pin? It is better than previous picture, but still may be improved.

 

 

The solution to this flaw is easy. Just filing / sanding the top of the pin. First step is to remove the screws that fasten the crown guard.

 

 

This is the picture of another PAM crown guard. This is the CG that is going to be used for this tutorial.

 

 

To remove the pin, the tool for removing bracelets pins is employed. Be careful, only one direction for pushing is the correct one. Next picture shows this direction.

 

 

 

The removed pin:

 

 

Next picture shows the pin with detail. Red arrow shows the end that has to be filed. Green arrow shows the end that has grooves. These grooves help to fasten the pin in its hole. After removing the pin these grooves may not work well. They may not efficient (too loose) or too efficient (too tight), as they can be deformed during the process of removing the pin or filing. Take into account that you can play with the shape of this end of the pin to solve this possible problem.

 

 

The pin is fastened to be filed, as next picture shows. Do not press too much or you can deform the pin.

 

 

 

The pin is very hard. Therefore a dremel is the best option. I have employed the stone shown the picture, as it helps to produce a flat surface.

 

 

You have to file as less as possible. The total length of the pin is reduced when filing. This can be noticeable from the back of the CG if you file too much.

 

The dremel produces a too rough surface. A file for fingernails improves the aspect of the surface.

 

 

Next step is to polish. There are some options here: garryflex, cape cod and using the dremel. I have tried garryflex and the dremel. Next pictures show the finest garryflex polishing the surface. However, as the pin is so sharp and small destroys the piece of garryflex.

 

 

 

To install again the pin the first part to be put in the hole is the end with grooves. Some pictures of the final result.

 

 

 

 

As it was commented, a better alternative to garryflex could be using the dremel. Next picture shows the material need for polishing: felt and jeweller’s rouge.

 

 

 

After connecting the dremel put the felt on the jeweller’s rouge, the heat will spread the compound on the felt.

 

 

 

Then you can polish the end of the pin. Just a bit or you can deform the flat surface. If this happens, use the file for fingernails again.

 

 

Follows a picture after polishing with the dremel. There is a small difference in comparison with using garryflex. It seems a bit shiner.

 

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Francisco

[wahzai 1]

when i push the pin back, the tool damage the surface again. It creates scratches when i push the pin in. How do u prevent that??