Constellation 168.0060 - screws problem

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tnt9

·Apr 17, 2022

Hi
I got this one few months ago on local Flea market. It works ok, timegrapher shows --14s/d and 0.0ms.
problem is that screws are in very bad condition, screw heads are almost unusable and they are stuck inside. I send it out to my watchmaker who did removed just 1 and he told me that he cant do anything with other 3.

my Q. is, can you recommend me where to buy new screws and also any other procedure to try remove them without making damage to case.

it will be shame to have it like this. watch is in nice condition, it will need good cleaning but overall good vintage cony from my point of view.

ref: 168.0060







thank you!

 

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LuckyLes

·Apr 17, 2022

The case appears already damaged, although not visible while wearing it. A tiny endmill should be able to remove the screw heads. I'm not a tool maker, but that would be my approach.

 

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tnt9

·Apr 17, 2022

Why do u think it is already damaged?

 

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LuckyLes

·Apr 17, 2022

Visible damage around the screw holes is obvious. Nothing that will effect the serviceability.

 

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Davidt

·Apr 17, 2022

Dial looks great

 

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hen

·Apr 17, 2022

You could have them drilled out and replacing the treads with Helicoil treads. The smallest size is M2X0,4. I have used it many times on motorcycles and in industrial aplications, but never on this small sized screws. I have no idea if watch makers use this and it seems that the curvature of the case (?) would make it hard to drill straight and there might not be enough metal to take a larger hole. But anything is possible.

Thread inserts for metals HELICOIL® | Böllhoff (boellhoff.com)

 

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tnt9

·Apr 17, 2022

Anybody know where to search for replacement screws. There are 2 cases on ebay without them.

 

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dsio

·Apr 17, 2022·Ash @ ΩF

tnt9

Anybody know where to search for replacement screws. There are 2 cases on ebay without them.

I’d just find a watchmaker with an Omega parts account, it likely needs service and some seals to keep the dial looking good.

 

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Archer

·Apr 17, 2022·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Screws you need are these:

Part 124ST2369 - SCREW W/H M1.50 L3.8 STEEL

There's no need for any case modifications like drilling out the screws if it's just the heads that are damaged. If just the heads are machined away, the case back can be removed, and a slot cut into the remainder of the screw using a screw slot file, in order to remove them.

 

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hen

·Apr 17, 2022

Oh, that mean the screws are perpendicular to the split in the case. That makes it easyer, then I would as Archer saied machine off the screw head with a diamond tipped tool in a rotary "die grinder" like tool and remove the screws with pliers, if there is enough material to get a grip.

 

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tnt9

·Apr 17, 2022

https://gleave.london/screw-omega-2369/
I hope they send in EU

thank you all! I will provide additional info when I solve it. all best!

 

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hen

·Apr 17, 2022

Good luck, hope to see it all nice and cleaned up with new screws.

 

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tnt9

·Apr 17, 2022

hen

Good luck, hope to see it all nice and cleaned up with new screws.

thank you😀 yes ofc I will

 

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TIMElyBehaviour

·Apr 17, 2022

+1 for archers method. Remove what’s left of the heads, they are the only thing holding down the caseback. Once it’s all open and the moment is out, so as archer said. Basically you are creating another head to screw out with.