Two- Part Stem Removal Made Easy!

Submitted by bobbee on June 13, 2012 - 5:18pm

Here is something I discovered not ten minutes ago. If you have a "waterproof" watch with a two-part stem, the usual way to remove the stem is to pull out the crown, then wind back a little to release the "bind" of the stem, and then pull the stem out. On four of my watches I have two where it is difficult and traumatic to remove the stem, and it worries me that I might one day break it, as I did on my Surf King's. Well, on my new Water-tite I posted recently, I could not remove the stem, and have just tried it again, but had a Brainwave. Instead of pulling out the crown, I left it closed, took off the crystal and tensioner and  up-turned the watch, and gave the crown a wiggle back and forth, turned the crown backwards a little and wiggled again. After repeating a couple of times, always winding back a little bit after each try, the movement dropped free! Tried it on my 1960 Prez, and it works! At last, worry free two part stem removal! Hooray!! Try it, You'll like it!

William Smith
Posted June 13, 2012 - 5:21pm

I gotta try it, but it sounds better for a quick look.

bobbee
Posted June 13, 2012 - 5:32pm

Bet you're all fiddling away with your heads tilted round, you little wrigglers!

Don't forget to hold your hand under the watch, just in case it is already "lined up"!

JP
Posted June 13, 2012 - 5:37pm

Sweet Bobbee. I will have to try it on my watches. I got a notice of a registered package in the mail today but was not home. I will have to wait until Monday to get it as we are going up to Iowa to watch my grandsons play baseball the rest of this week and won't be home until late Saturday. I am sure it is the Air Warden. I am thiinking of changing the stem on the AW to a regular stem so it won't be such a hassle to deal with. I got several large batches of stems in and most are complete with a full compliment of Bulova stems. I know I have a two piece that will work but haven't made up my mind about the swap. I am thinking I may want to keep the watch as close to original as possible so that would shoot down the idea of a one piece.

I want to thank you for the lovely remarks about the watches I sent you. It is very comfortinng to know I have such good friends. If you come up with a need for hands of just about any kind please let me know as I may be able to help out there.

Your Friend

John 

NOVA
Posted June 13, 2012 - 5:37pm

That's the way I do it too!  I had to find a new method after I sent a couple of watches flying across the room using the old procedure.

bobbee
Posted June 13, 2012 - 5:52pm

Why keep it a secret then!!!? You could have saved me some heartache with my Surf King, still need a new female part. Sheesh, honestly Lisa, anyone would think you were busy doing something else! : )

bobbee
Posted July 1, 2012 - 4:31am

Here it is, mr. namesake!