Longines Ultra-Chron Question

[Hugh Patton]

Not wanting to do any damage to the case I was hoping some one might tell me what it takes to open this watch. It say's it takes a 1260 wrench ( which is written on the back of the watch)I have searched the web and e-bay with no luck in finding this wrench. Can Some one please tell me were I can find this wrench or another way of opening the watch with out causing any damage ?

http://www.freepichosting.com/Albums/421604144.html

 

[doug sinclair]

Hi,

This is what that tool looks like. If you don't have one or can't find one, you'll have to use an external crystal fitting tool to remove the crystal. You may have to replace the crystal after removing it as they have an internal reflector ring, and the crystal often cracks when removed.

 

[Hugh Patton]

Hi Doug,
I've read many of your posts and I wanted to thank you for being so active on the board.

So I'm guessing that you don't open the watch from the bottom ? Looking at the watch it would seem as though you could some how?

The Admiral wrench that you showed me is that a 1200 or 1260 I didn't see any numbers on it ?

Hugh

 

[doug sinclair]

Hugh,

This tool is double-sided. The adaptor on one side is marked 1200 and it is 29.45 mm in diameter. The other side is not marked and it is 29.3 mm in diameter.

If the case specifies to use wrench 1200, then there is absolutely NO other way to get into the case. The wrench is printed Admiral which refers to a regular Longines automatic model of that name. I don't recall ever seeing an Ultra-Chron in that style of case. If you have to replace the crystal, you'll likely have to go with an original part rather than a generic because of the particular reflector and how if fits the edge of the dial.

Thanks for your expression of appreciation. I learn a lot from this board, so anything I contribute is small compensation for what I learn.

 

[doug sinclair]

Ray,

Welcome!

I can tell you one thing for certain. It is NOT a day-date as described in the ebay listing. I suspect it might be a manual winder as would be indicated by the sub-seconds hand, although I don't recall ever seeing a manual winder in the "canister" style case before. From the exterior, it is a nice looking watch. If the insides are as nice, it should be a good watch for you. I would place the vintage as being somewhat newer than the vendor states. Say, circa early 1970s. Back when Longines was Longines, not Swatch! Beyond that, I'd have to say that the style of case that is on it can create difficulties to many shops come repair time. And the two-piece stem arrangement peculiar to that style of case is not an advantage. But if it is as nice as it looks, and you use it with respect, hopefully, you'll never have to fix it.

If you join us again with a new topic, it is best if you were to select the section of the board you want (in this case wrist watches), and look for the menu bar at the top where it says "Post New Topic". Enter the title of your new topic, and type away. That way your post will stand on its own, and may get more response.

 

[Roland Ranfft]

Hi Hugh,

I have to open lots of watches to photograph the movements, and for monoshell cases I never failed with either of two tools:

1) A Bergeon crystal lift (#6400). It is grabbing the crystal, and although thought for crystals without tension ring, it is almost always successful removing armoured crystals. There are pretty cheap copys of this tool, but after my experience these are really only suitable for crystals without ring.

2) A tiny air pump, applied to the stem tube after pulling off the detachable crown. You just have to hold the crystal down with the thumb, when applying pressure. If you don't, the crystal will popp away, and often dial and hands as well. If you don't find a supplier, just buy some disposable syringes with sufficient volume (e.g. 30 millilitres), and adapt them to the different diameters of the tubes.

Regards, Roland Ranfft

 

[Hugh Patton]

Roland,
Thank you for the advice. I'm going to start pricing out compressors. Do you know what pressure setting you have yours set to ? or is it just a trial and error type answer. Most times if I'm unable to do some thing I find my self down at the local jewelry asking tons of questions but I'm always learning new tricks and the ones you mentioned sound like good ones. I would have never thought to use compressed air to open a watch but it does make sense.
Many Thanks,
Hugh Patton

 

[Roland Ranfft]

Hi Hugh,

I never tried a compressor, althoug available in my lab - not very sensible.

I first tried it with disposable syringes, and after being successful, bought a Bergeon pump which is more practical. Here a pdf file describing the pump:
http://www.bergeon.ch/Catalogue/PDF/7014%20A_1.pdf

It is simple: Just slowly increase the pressure, while pressing down the crystal with your thumb, until the crystal popps off with a silent bang. If you increase pressure too fast, you may damage the dial.

Regards, Roland Ranfft

 

[Poincon]

The wrench is printed "Admiral" which refers to a regular Longines automatic model of that name. I don't recall ever seeing an Ultra-Chron in that style of case.

While "Admiral" was indeed the name for a particular line of Longines watches, just as were "Conquest" and "Flagship" among others, the name "Admiral" also was applied to the style of "water-proof-one-piece-case-crystal." It was alternately referred to as "all-proof" in the Wittnauer iterations and "Master Mariner" in the LeCoultre iterations. As you may recall, for a period of time in the 1950's and Sixties Longines-Wittnauer served as more-or-less the importer for the LeCoultre and Vacheron brands. BTW, Many, Longines Ultra-Chron's between 1967 and 1973 (or so) came in the one-piece case with the "Admiral/All-Proof" crystal. url=http://montresuisses.blogspot.com/2007/01/tutorial-split-stems-of-one-piece-watch.htmll]Here is a brief article on the subject[/url]