| Archive for Uncle AJ's Rolex, Wrist Watch & Nature Forum A place to chill out and have some fun a forum about nothing yet also about everything. An alternative wrist watch and nature forum. |
| Tools |
Checking For Parachrom....The Hard Way !!Don't know what kind of hairspring you've got. ?? Or maybe you just have some time on your hands ??..Let's take a look !! (Hey, it's just a watch, isn't it) 
First we're gonna' need some tools and a candidate. My old EXP II can take it:: 
OK, not all of these, but the Bergeon 6111 bracelet tool for sure. And a Case Puller. I Like this LG Open all model, made in the USA. 
First we'll use the 6111 and pull the bracelet. Using the smaller of the ends, we can get it into the small slots at the back of the end-links and depress the spring pins: 
With the bracelet off, it's easier to work on things.. 
We select the proper Rolex socket (there are six different sizes). For this watch, the 29.5mm size is perfect: 
Here is how the watch fits in this tool. 
The jaws are soft metal and not likely to scratch the SS case, but if there are concerns, a cloth can be put in place. Tighten the socket down and engage the grooves, a quick half turn, and it's open. 
I like to just crack it a bit and take a look at the rubber gasket. On a Rolex, it's quite large and you can easily see if it is dirty. This 4 year old EXP II is: 
A light brush and some gentle canned air and it's clean as a newborn pup: 
Once we have everything clean, we can unscrew it all the way: 
Inside we find a robust Rolex cal. 3185 movement with it's characteristic red gears and a 28,800 fast beat movement: 
A hi-speed flash shot to stop the hairspring and we can get a better look: 
Maybe a bit closer: 
Well, it's not blue... However, the Nivarox hairsprings used in these have been virtually trouble free for decades..(besides, the early Parachromes weren't blue...who really knows ??) Well, no reason to leave it open any longer than necessary, so back in the LG, and a snug down of the socket; a couple of turns, and it's back buttoned up and ready for the bracelet: 
With the right tools and some care, and not a scratch.... at least, not from this little adventure: 
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| ABS |
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| steve |
are the casebacks generally on tight could i liken the resistance needed to undo it, to the screwdown crown?
steve |
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| uncle aj |
Another nice set Larry, thanks.
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| Tools |
They're a bit tighter than that, but not torques down so much that your veins bulge out. Most are just snugged down until the two mating surfaces meet. I've run across a couple of older ones that were very tight but probably more from corrosion and crud build up. They make a rubber ball now that is "sticky" and can be pressed against most backs and twisted to unscrew the back... But I've never used one.. Maybe Miyrena can shed some light on this..
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| ABS |
I dunno... I've never seen those rubber balls?
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| steve |
The rubber balls are they the same ones I've seen promoted on the likes of the shopping channals usually shown for undoing various cap /bottle tops? not that i sit at home watching shopping tv a lot 
steve |
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| uncle aj |
Obviously you don't.
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| Tools |
Check them out here...
scroll down to the bottom for "Screwball openers" They're described as either pink balls or blue balls.... etc... 
http://www.ofrei.com/page557.html
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| uncle aj |
I've already got a pink pair.
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| Flatlander |
Thank you for the tour Larry.
I don't have the tools or knowledge to attempt something like that. I might try it if it was someone else's watch though.
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| Tools |
I never thought of that.....
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