Hi friends.
Today, I received a Seamaster 168.035. I enjoy it a lot but also having problem removing the dial/movement unit from the case. Looks like it is retained by small blocks of rubber and after a long time in there, they have melted and stick the dial ring to the case.
Anybody who has dealt with this problem please let me know what you have done to yours.
Certainly, I don't want risking anything in this process.
Thank you very much and enjoy the photos.


Cheers.
Hoi.

 

I am not sure how to remove the melted rubber without damaging the dial/hands, but I do know the purpose of these “small blocks”. This is a system of extra shock protection for the movement. IWC also used this system in the Yacht Club. Replacement parts will probably be impossible to find. I have supplied my watchmaker with rubber o-ring of proper thickness (try 1 or 1.5mm) which he cut into lengths of approximately 5-6mm.

Hope this was helpful! Found picture worth a thousand words.

 

I think they are actually available for purchase, but I seem to remember they cost a ridiculous amount of money for a few grams of rubber. I can't dig up the threads on the subject, but I know it has been discussed here before.

 

I have one of those watches and if I remember correctly the rubber spacers need to be removed in order to remove the movement along with the movement ring. The rubber helps to centralise the movement ring but I'm not sure about shock protection as when the case back is screwed down it should push down on the movement ring to hold it in place.
I believe the case back should have one of those wavy case springs which would be the part which pushes down on the movement ring

 

This one doesn't have it
https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-seamaster-751-chronometre.26154/
Mine doesn't either.

 

As long as the movement / ring is not loose once the case back is tight then I guess it should be fine, and a google search also doesnt show it on these. Maybe mine had it because it didnt have the original rubber blocks and was a bit loose

 

Looks like the part number for the rubber blocks is this:

088NS9401 | SEAL

Even though they call it a seal, the dimensions given are 2.05 X 4.30 mm, and 4 are needed, so this must be the blocks.

No wave spring in this one.

For removing seals that have turned to black goop, the best thing is alcohol, but of course you would have to be very careful doing this near the dial.

Cheers, Al

 

Thanks Al.
You are always a helpful source of technical knowledge of OF.

 

I think these are the buggers. They look like rat sh*t.
You can probably make some out of a thick rubber case back seal if you have the dimensions, if not let me know, I will measure them.
Or you can have these two FOC, just pay the post. But to be honest, probably cheaper to make some.

 

Seamaster chronometre