Removng Dial on Hamilton 927

[Randy Becker]

Hi, I have a Hamilton grade 927 year 1903 would you know how to remove the dial so I can soak out one hairline or is there anyway to fix it without removing the dial Thanks Randy B.

[Randy Becker]

Hi, I have a Hamilton grade 927 year 1903 would you know how to remove the dial so I can soak out one hairline or is there anyway to fix it without removing the dial Thanks Randy B.

[Kent]

Randy:

To remove the dial, you'll first have to remove the movement from the case and remove the hands from the movement.

Assuming you can remove the movement from the case, removing hands isn't too difficult. Its actually harder to get them back on. Whichever of the below methods of pulling the hands, the main thing to be concerned with is to not damage the dial. Use a piece of cardstock such as a 3" x 5" file card. Cut a long, narrow "Vee" in the side of the card, deep enough to be more than one half of the watch diameter. Then, positioning the "Vee" around the center post, with its corners under the minute and hour hands, slide the card over the dial, taking care not to catch the second hand. Those of us who remove hands often use a watchmaker's hand removal tool, such as those shown on the Otto Frei Website (http://www.ofrei.com/page_209.html) (of those shown, the Bergeon #7 Presto Hand Remover is recommended by some because, as Roland Ranfft once wrote, it dosen't "... press on the dial when lifting the hands, [causing] hairlines on sensitive enamel dials"). This style, and those that are complex tools that have nylon blocks that rest against the dial surface (covered with the cardstock), has knife-edged fingers that slide under the dial, and a spring-loaded center "plunger" that keeps the hand from flying when its released from the center post. If you only remove hands occasionally and don't have a hand removal tool, you can use two X-acto knives (#11 blade). Position the knife-edges under the hand hub, 180 degrees apart, and gently pry upward by rotating the knife blades. By no means should you pry on the hand anywhere but at the hub, it'll bend or break. Be prepared for the hand to fly off. You may consider doing this by reaching inside of a plastic bag in order to catch the hand. The same method may be used on the second hand, except that the cardstock might have to be thinner and smaller to fit within the second dial area.

To replace hands, start with the second hand. Again, use a small, thin piece of cardstock. Using a fine tweezers hold the hand near its tube, set the tube down over post. The thin piece of cardstock serves the purpose of keeping the second hand from going down too far and hitting the second dial. Continue with the hour hand, Use the tweezers to hold the hub so that its hole is over the center post and gently press down on the hub. Again, using the cardstock to protect the dial, hold the tweezers so that the sides of the arms, near the tips, rest on the hand hub, spanning the center post hole. Very gently, press downward, keeping the hub (and the rest of the hand) horizontal, parallel to the dial, as it slides downward into position. Remove the cardstock and rotate the crown, moving the hour hand to check to see that it clears the second hand. Then set the hour hand to 12 o'clock. Repeat the process with the minute hand, positioning it over the hour hand, right at 12 o'clock. Again check to see that all the hands are parallel to the dial and clear each other.


The dial is held in place by three feet that extend through the pillar plate. If you look carefully at the edge of your No. 927 movement (I don't remember if these had dust bands - if it has one, remove it), you'll see three set screws not quite equidistant around the rim. Back these out and the dial should ease off of the pillar plate. be careful to do this with the movement facing upward so as not to lose a dial washer (there may not be one) when the dial comes off. If the dial doesn't come off easily, resist the urge to pry it off. Just set it aside and let us know that more help is needed.

Good luck,

[Randy Becker]

Thanks Kent I appreciate the help.Since I am new at this I have ruined hairsprings,broken hour and min hands and dials and one staff and other parts that I don't know the names yet. but it has been a good experiance since this is the only way to learn without instruction.but one member told me about some good DVD'S that I plan on buying. Thanks for your time and insruction.I think I will buy the tool you recommened that seems the safest way to go.Thanks again Randy B

[Don Dahlberg]

The best way to go is to have someone teach you. If you are a member of NAWCC, go to your local chapter meeting and get to know people. There are many who are willing to show you how to work on watchs and to get you out of trouble. The idea is to conserve watches, so the learning experience can be rather counter productive without help. Short of that DVDs and reading books by Henry Fried.

Don

[Randy Becker]

Thanks Don.That is the first thing I have to do is join the NAWCC Thanks Randy B.