Pugwash Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 My 45mm Planet Ocean arrived today from Precious Time and as I am sure you can imagine, this made me very happy. However, while trying to resize the strap, I noticed this: Crap. Time to mail PT. He replied that he'd order in a replacement and this made me happy once again. Good dealers look after you. So, I put it on my Bob for Breitling 22mm strap and went to work. It got praised by those who notice these kinds of things and all was well once more. However, I was determined not to be beaten by what PT described as "one of the worst places to break from" and got out an old Seanaster (sic) strap. It almost worked too, however the end piece was different and it stopped it from closing and all manner of stuff that didn't make me happy. As you can see, the ends are different. So, I did what anyone in my position would do. I got out the table vice and started thinking. If I put a split pin across it and widened the closed end and then splayed out the open end with an awl ... In the vice everything goes ... That's the closed end secured, but the open end is too long. Now, doesn't Mrs Pugwash have some metal shears? If not, I'll have to get out the dremel. Oh, lookee here! Get in there, my son! ... and that seemed to do. Let's tidy it up a bit ... ... and put it back together. There, all back together. Oh, one word about the PO bracelet, like the gen, it has tubes inside the bits. These are the three parts of each link: If you ever need to resize your strap and you're new to this whole thing, take it to a shop. It's one of the most stubborn bitches I've ever worked on. Damn, it's tough. I broke one pin wrenching it out with pliers, when the tools I used would go no further. Seriously, pay someone. And here it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Nice enginering Pug, what you cant do with a hammer, screwdriver and a pair of pliers aint woth doing, I repaired a snapped stem on an asian IWC GST tonight with superglue and part of an old spring bar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Nice enginering Pug, what you cant do with a hammer, screwdriver and a pair of pliers aint woth doing, I repaired a snapped stem on an asian IWC GST tonight with superglue and part of an old spring bar! Fantastic. Another thing the guys in the gen forums won't do. Go on, my son, give it a good whack! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonthebhoy Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Awls well that ends well. JTB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Could you imagine that "Hey you guys (in a smarmy voice) i just fixed my (insert rare vintage) with 2 pac epoxy a cloths peg and a bit of string" Wow well done i have been meaning to send my (insert rare watch here) to the secret repair station in Alaska for a bit of weathering and aging" When i repaired my vintage Gen Omega You got to have a go sometimes! I think this sort of enginerring is a very british thing though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Awls well that ends well. True, but I wouldn't have done this if I didn't know PT had a backup on its way. It's quite risky to the fit and finish of the bracelet. One thing is sure, I know I have the hellish task of resizing the replacement bracelet when it arrives. Maybe I'll oil soak it overnight before trying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 I think this sort of enginerring is a very british thing though! I do think so. I mean if it weren't for Mrs Pugwash's father being an engineer by trade (typically British in so far as he handmakes telescopes in his garage/workshop for a living) I doubt she'd be as tolerant of my having tools, but as it is, she has more than me and buys me presents like a table vice, for instance, assuming that I'd need one to play with watches. In fact I feel so British (what? eh?) that I'm off to make myself a cuppa. Rather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usil Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Amazing, the things we do to our reps. It is slightly exhilerating tearing into a project like this and especially satisfying if it all works. To me this is part of the hobby and while I like a perfect watch, I do my best to try a fix it instead of sending it back to the dealer. Usil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devedander Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 If you ever need to resize your strap and you're new to this whole thing, take it to a shop. It's one of the most stubborn bitches I've ever worked on. Damn, it's tough. I broke one pin wrenching it out with pliers, when the tools I used would go no further. Seriously, pay someone. Absolutely agree... Both my PO and my SMP have given me a helluva time resizing... the PO actually put a nice hole in my hand where I pulled on it with a pin half out, it slipped and drove the dull, oily, dirty pin a good half inch in the inside of my index knuckle... hit bone, and pulled out with a very sickening meaty "plup" to leave me with a sore hand for days and two broken pins... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 I have no problems with the 3 piece straps on the aqua terras and the pins look exactly like the PO ones, i use the strap press that comes with PTs starter tool set to start ot off then i have another with a longer but weaker pin to push it the rest of the way, works a treat for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 I have no problems with the 3 piece straps on the aqua terras and the pins look exactly like the PO ones, i use the strap press that comes with PTs starter tool set to start ot off then i have another with a longer but weaker pin to push it the rest of the way, works a treat for me. I have the one on the left and even using that I have to resort to the pin and hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWG Technical Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Nice work, such fine results with such large tools... RG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Nice work, such fine results with such large tools... That's exactly what Mrs Pugwash says! I have finer tools and they just didn't seem appropriate. This is a man's watch that's not afraid to hunt you down and kick your ass. Approaching it with a fine file and dremel saw will get you in a world of trouble. You need 12-inch aircraft metal shears and a vice. I was looking for a hunter/gatherer solution and this seemed to fit. If I could have rented an Angle Grinder, I would have, but I was pressed for time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haveblue Posted January 19, 2007 Report Share Posted January 19, 2007 well done Pug. that last quote of yours about what Mrs Pugwash always says had me laughing so hard i was crying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted January 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2007 that last quote of yours about what Mrs Pugwash always says had me laughing so hard i was crying. Well, I'm glad I brought a smile to your face. (and that's what I say back to her, too) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flavor flav Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 you made me smile pugwash! great engineering job! mine were easy to resize using a pin remover vice. took five minutes. i assume you are using a hammer and punch to press out the pins? $15 pin remover is the best $$$ spent if you have a watch fetish...... and you do have a watch fetish we all do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted January 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 you made me smile pugwash! My work here is done. I'm looking at sorting myself out with some tools, like a hand remover and decent pin remover once I've moved house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornerstone Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 My work here is done. I'm looking at sorting myself out with some tools, like a hand remover and decent pin remover once I've moved house. Whoa - back up. First Mrs Pugwash is happy with your large tool, now you need another tool like a hand remover. Are we still talking about watches? Or is the 45 mm PO just an aphrodisiac?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted January 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 Are we still talking about watches? I don't know any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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