[TUTORIAL] Remove fingerprints/flaws

[DR3M3L 4]

There are a lot of people asking about removing flaws or fingerprints. As we all know their is quite a big chance you got something under your crystal you don't want it to be there (NEVER LOOK AT YOUR REPS WITH A LOOP! :( ).

 

Many newbies don't know how to remove it and are even annoying our TD's with questions or even deny a watch for a flaw. In my opinion this is not necessary and that's why I'm writing this.

 

 

 

For this tutorial I'll use my Pam111 and less watchtools to show you how easy it actually is. I'm not an expert and I think everyone is able to do this himself.

 

!!Before you start: My pics are made with a phone, don't expect any quality. I hope they will show everything you need to see.

!!This is not actually to win a competition, this is just to help you guys. If you think you can make a better tutorial, please do, support RWG!

 

This is my watch:

(Thanks again for the strap Serge, it's awesome!!)

 

 

 

 

First, let make some space and remoce the strap from the case . In this case it's removed by simply unscrewing:

 

 

Looks much better:

 

 

Turn around the watch..

(Looks bad on a phono pic :( )

 

 

Now we need to open the caseback. I used just a latex handshoe to get some grip, most reps are not screwed that tight.

 

 

So now we have opened our caseback! If you have a closed caseback it might be the first time you see your movement. I really love this movement, but also really like automatic movements. If you have a cheap 21j movement you also need to remove a white plastic movement holder out of the case.

 

 

On a Pam you first need to remove the crown protector, just two screws, like this:

 

 

Then we need to get our crown + stem out of the movement. This should be done by unscrewing the following screw a bit:

 

It's near the stem hole on top of the movement. Some movement got a little pusher, just puch it and pull out the stem. For this one, unscrew it a bit and carefully pull out the scrown + stem. Like this:

 

 

The movement is placed in the case with two (or maybe more) holders. You find them at the side of the movement and can be unscrewed. Look carefully at the following picture and find them yourself:

 

 

 

 

Now our movement is ready to be removed out of the case, be careful when doing this, just hold the movement, turn around the case and then remove the case. You dont want to brake any part!

 

 

 

Now just remove the flaw/fingerprint, clean everything and keep out dust. In the RWG shop you can buy a great toolkit with everything you need.

 

I'm doing like I got a fingerprint inside and cleaning everything:

 

 

After cleaning, put the movement + dial back in, make sure it's in the right direction etc. Reverse the remove process.

 

 

Now put the stem back in, be really careful doing this you break them very easy...... And then just screw it back:

 

 

Clean the movement from fingerprints....

 

Put the movement holders back in and screm them tight:

 

 

Then put back the crown protector:

 

 

Clean the back case at the inside:

 

And put it back on!

 

 

 

Almost done! Put your strap back on and be proud of yourself mate, you've done it! Congrats!

 

 

YOU JUST REMOVED A FLAW OR FINGERPRINT ALL BY YOURSELF!

YOU BECAME WATCHSMITH LVL 0.5 ! CONGRATS!

 

 

I hope you learned something today, as you can see this is quite a simple fix and you also saw the inside of your watch. Now you get excited to learn more and more, please do! It's great to mod, repair and get your girlfriend involved.

 

 

Cheers

[Fell1963 0]

Excellent and informative post! Thank you.

[jacobarch 0]

nice write up!

 

you should of cleaned it tho

[DR3M3L 4]

Excellent and informative post! Thank you.

 

No problem at all, thank you for your compliment.

 

 

nice write up!

 

you should of cleaned it tho

 

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhht :giigle: Thanks bud.

[intlcgr 0]

Joran, question for you. I have just been doing this 4 months, and have purchased a tool kit and am doing most work myself. I have purchased a couple of watches that are suppose to be waterproof. If I remove the back to check if the correct movement was sent or to clean watch, will I lose any of the waterproofing(is that a word?) of the watch?

thanks

[DR3M3L 4]

Joran, question for you. I have just been doing this 4 months, and have purchased a tool kit and am doing most work myself. I have purchased a couple of watches that are suppose to be waterproof. If I remove the back to check if the correct movement was sent or to clean watch, will I lose any of the waterproofing(is that a word?) of the watch?

thanks

 

I would really go to a dealer and test water resistance again, you'll never be sure for 100% after opening a caseback. Hope you'll find a good adress that does water resistance testing for a good price Good luck!

[Hazz 0]

and a Serge strap to boot

[DR3M3L 4]

and a Serge strap to boot

 

Only problem is my girl wearing this watch + strap all the time

[LightGeek 25]

Nice write up! All these gloves and all... Not like mine. My BK arrived with visible dust on the dial and one print on the hour hand. I'll need to do some crazy disassembly soon.

[diegoteck 0]

wow!

[1littlegreen 1]

 

Great job and thank you!!

[Luthier 1]

Time to apply for RWG Trusted Watchsmith status...

[P4GTR 0]

C'mon now.. A how-to decase & clean your dial/inner case/crystal without recommending a few things like Rodico? And "you just press the button" on other movements? Are you a double agent for Chris or something?

 

 

Oi... is that your draws?

[LightGeek 25]

I want to see someone follow these instructions, then take a can of compressed air at full strength at the dial

[BigBuys 0]

You never know until you try it, and you pulled it off like a champ Joran.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm talking about your underwear that you used to clean the fingerprints from the movement!

[Luthier 1]

[10:10 Watch Repair 1]

C'mon now.. A how-to decase & clean your dial/inner case/crystal without recommending a few things like Rodico? And "you just press the button" on other movements? Are you a double agent for Chris or something?

 

I have to agree with this. Cleaning a movement with anything that will leave lint, fibers, etc. is not the best idea.

If you wipe it with a rag, you need to properly clean it after or you are shortening the life of your movement.

[Chrisby 1]

I want to see someone follow these instructions, then take a can of compressed air at full strength at the dial

 

Just followed this and used one of those huge cans of compressed air to remove a dust particle. Can everyone check their immediate surroundings for my date wheel? Thanks in advance. ..I will pay shipping to the UK too

 

Seriously though Joran excellent tutorial and good pics to show exactly what to do. Luckily I have a mate who's getting into all if this, who'll do it for me.

[DR3M3L 4]

As I said in the tutorial, if you know better share it

 

It's not the best thing to use something with lint, I know, so please tell what's better to use and I'll edit ofcourse.

 

I take the time to help, so my distribution to the board is at least better then some people slash others.

[presence00 0]

Well done! (aside - two of the pics are not loading for me, re: stem removal) but I still really like the post.

[mostling 40]

Some movement got a little pusher, just puch it and pull out the stem.

How hard do i puch it?

 

For this one, unscrew it a bit and carefully pull out the scrown + stem.

How many turns do i turn the screw before i fuck up the keyless?

[pablom617 0]

Nice writeup Joran!

[Hazz 0]

C'mon now.. A how-to decase & clean your dial/inner case/crystal without recommending a few things like Rodico? And "you just press the button" on other movements? Are you a double agent for Chris or something?

 

 

Oi... is that your draws?

RODICO is the biz,,,,,,,no you cannot just use blue tac:)

 

[10:10 Watch Repair 1]

Hazz is correct, and the grey Rodico premium leaves very little residue. Use either version of Rodico for cleaning movement parts. For the crystal, a soft rag or microfiber towel is fine, just be sure to use a dust blower afterwards. Lint can get trapped between the crystal and bezel and eventually settle on the dial.

[DR3M3L 4]

Hazz is correct, and the grey Rodico premium leaves very little residue. Use either version of Rodico for cleaning movement parts. For the crystal, a soft rag or microfiber towel is fine, just be sure to use a dust blower afterwards. Lint can get trapped between the crystal and bezel and eventually settle on the dial.

 

Thanks mate!