Is it possible to change your own dials?

[compworld]

Is it possible to change your own dials? Say I wanted to buy a different dial for one of my Rolies, can I change it myself? Its a pain having to go to Tourney or NYC to change a dial. Not to mention the fee for the change.

[Art 1]

No.

[compworld]

:(

[AWATCH]

Originally Posted by compworld

Is it possible to change your own dials? Say I wanted to buy a different dial for one of my Rolies, can I change it myself? Its a pain having to go to Tourney or NYC to change a dial. Not to mention the fee for the change.

If you think you are qualified to disasemble your watch and have the proper tools and training........ yea
Its sorta like heart surgery or flying a jet its easy if you know how

[TattooedGQ]

Originally Posted by Art 1

No.

That's not completely accurate.....

CAN you change the dial yourself, Yes. With the right tools and know-how. Is it a good idea, probably not.

[compworld]

Originally Posted by AWATCH

If you think you are qualified to disasemble your watch and have the proper tools and training........ yea
Its sorta like heart surgery or flying a jet its easy if you know how

Plane, well small one, yea, no prob. Heart surgey, prob. not. I just need a test watch to practice on. Anyone want to sacrifice, I mean volunteer their watch as the test case?

[TattooedGQ]

buy a cheapo off of ebay. Principles will be the same.

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by compworld

Is it possible to change your own dials? Say I wanted to buy a different dial for one of my Rolies, can I change it myself? Its a pain having to go to Tourney or NYC to change a dial. Not to mention the fee for the change.

Yes, it's entirely possible.

You just need the right tools and acquire the appropriate skills.

Several here, non watchmakers, have replaced dial/hands on their own watches.

Give it a go and post your results here.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by TattooedGQ

That's not completely accurate.....

CAN you change the dial yourself, Yes. With the right tools and know-how. Is it a good idea, probably not.

True, but I was answering the OP. He called his Rolex a Rollie. No one that I know who could swap a dial would use that term.

[AWATCH]

If you really want to try Justin has the right idea, buy a cheap watch and go for it or better yet build a watch or two. Check out Ofrei.com, parts and a small beginner course is available where you can build yourself a nice watch and learn the fundamentals. Get lots of practice, you will probably scratch and/or ruin several dials and hand sets. you will probably spend a couple of hundred on some good tools and who knows you might have the start of a very rewarding hobby.

[Route 66]

I have to give you credit.

I'd be scared to death to attempt to change a dial myself.

[Dan Pierce]

My watchmaker has done it for me but nothing I'd attempt on my own.
dP

[Idle Swede]

I don't have all the necessary tools including a pressure tester but if I did.............................


No, I wouldn't.

[Rolex tom]

need the right tools and know how if you wanted to paint the hands or anything thats not hard but changeing the dial is hard

[Speed]

No way man...I wouldn't do it.

[PeteNYC13]

If you are very handy and don't mind ruining your watch, go for it!
If you have doubts, either don't change it or maybe make a deal with a watchmaker that if buy the dial from them, they change the dial included in the price.

I wouldn't risk the damage that can be done working with microscopic pieces and tools if I wasn't 100% certain that I could complete the task. The fact that you are asking makes me think you have doubts?! lol

Good luck,
-Pete

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by compworld

Is it possible to change your own dials? Say I wanted to buy a different dial for one of my Rolies, can I change it myself? Its a pain having to go to Tourney or NYC to change a dial. Not to mention the fee for the change.

I will say if you ask about this, just take your watch to a watchmaker.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by compworld

Is it possible to change your own dials? Say I wanted to buy a different dial for one of my Rolies, can I change it myself? Its a pain having to go to Tourney or NYC to change a dial. Not to mention the fee for the change.

Are you a qualified watchmaker? If not, don't even think about it!! You wouldn't even know where to start, which tools to use...................and if you did make an attempt, rest assured you'd be looking at a whopping bill to set things right again!!

[EchoBlueUK]

Just be prepared to ship all the bits to rsc when it all goes wrong.

[Rolesor]

If your a watchmaker then sure - if not don't even try it!

[ParisDakarBmw]

need screwdrivers, case back removel tool, correct hand removal tool, and a dust free environment.

1. remove the bracelet.

2. Set your watch to high noon perfectly, and leave the stem pulled out.

3. remove the caseback

4. remove the crown / stem assembly

5. two set screws hold the movement in place. Turn them in the tightening direction until the flanges on the screws allow the movement to spin. remove movement, and lay it on it's back carefully.

6. remove the hands gently, and place them to the side on a white envelope (no dust)

7. removing the dial is a little tricky, and would read up on how to pop the metal disk off without damaging it.

8. install new dial.

9. **don't scratch the hands, but use extra fine tweezers, and a loupe to see. Put them on gently at the 12 oclock position.

10. put the movement in after a light spray with dust removal spray. (can of air) be careful not to hold it too close. Make sure the inside of the crystal is dust free too.

11. line the movement up with the cyclops, and tighten the set screws in the loosening position. Make sure the two flanges line up correctly. Once the movement is lined up correctly. tighten the set screws down.

12. put the crown / stem assembly in, and test the movement.

13. put the case back on, and snug down.

14. hope to god you did it right

[Gerardus]

Better to the watchmaker.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

need screwdrivers, case back removel tool, correct hand removal tool, and a dust free environment.

1. remove the bracelet.

2. Set your watch to high noon perfectly, and leave the stem pulled out.

3. remove the caseback

4. remove the crown / stem assembly

5. two set screws hold the movement in place. Turn them in the tightening direction until the flanges on the screws allow the movement to spin. remove movement, and lay it on it's back carefully.

6. remove the hands gently, and place them to the side on a white envelope (no dust)

7. removing the dial is a little tricky, and would read up on how to pop the metal disk off without damaging it.

8. install new dial.

9. **don't scratch the hands, but use extra fine tweezers, and a loupe to see. Put them on gently at the 12 oclock position.

10. put the movement in after a light spray with dust removal spray. (can of air) be careful not to hold it too close. Make sure the inside of the crystal is dust free too.

11. line the movement up with the cyclops, and tighten the set screws in the loosening position. Make sure the two flanges line up correctly. Once the movement is lined up correctly. tighten the set screws down.

12. put the crown / stem assembly in, and test the movement.

13. put the case back on, and snug down.

14. hope to god you did it right

You left out TWO of the most important things, Paul - EXPERIENCE & PRACTICE.

With all of those above instructions, if he's lacking the two things I've mentioned, I can bet you all of my 4 Rolexes that the end result is going to be one BIG SUPER MESS!!

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

need screwdrivers, case back removel tool, correct hand removal tool, and a dust free environment.

1. remove the bracelet.

2. Set your watch to high noon perfectly, and leave the stem pulled out.

3. remove the caseback

4. remove the crown / stem assembly

5. two set screws hold the movement in place. Turn them in the tightening direction until the flanges on the screws allow the movement to spin. remove movement, and lay it on it's back carefully.

6. remove the hands gently, and place them to the side on a white envelope (no dust)

7. removing the dial is a little tricky, and would read up on how to pop the metal disk off without damaging it.

8. install new dial.

9. **don't scratch the hands, but use extra fine tweezers, and a loupe to see. Put them on gently at the 12 oclock position.

10. put the movement in after a light spray with dust removal spray. (can of air) be careful not to hold it too close. Make sure the inside of the crystal is dust free too.

11. line the movement up with the cyclops, and tighten the set screws in the loosening position. Make sure the two flanges line up correctly. Once the movement is lined up correctly. tighten the set screws down.

12. put the crown / stem assembly in, and test the movement.

13. put the case back on, and snug down.

14. hope to god you did it right

Will you please give us a step by step tutorial how you groom your dog so we know you know what you talk about.

[ParisDakarBmw]

Your exactly right JJ.

He would need experiance, and the correct tools to do it correctly. I have done it a few times in my 3 years at the jewelry store, but it was a true learning experiance each time. The watches are very delicate.

That's how to do it, but doing it without leaving a trace is the trick.

I would start with several junk watches before starting in on my Rolex collection.

Plus the price of the correct tools is more than paying a watchmaker to do it.

[ParisDakarBmw]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Will you please give us a step by step tutorial how you groom your dog so we know you know what you talk about.

Grab the dog.

Oil the clippers, and start cutting

[cjcar631]

Any of you remember the old John Cameron Swayze comercial for Timex where he had the elephant stand on the watch and then showed the audience how it was still ticking? Well I have a similiar story that led me to a DIY project on my Omega. While changing the oil and filter on my wife's car the other day I suddenly realize I'm wearing my Seamaster. I'm in a hurry cuz my wife needs the car ASAP. So I take it off and place it on the grass near where I'm laying. After gathering up my tools, I drive the car off the ramps... etc. and away she goes. OOPS... my freakin' watch! Back out I go and low and behold my Seamaster is... shall we say... a little under the weather, (broken crystal, all four hands off, one lume marker at 12 off). Suprisingly the bezel ring popped off but was not bent... don't ask me how. I call Omega to get a quote and was not suprised to hear that I'd probably be better off investing in a a new one. Undeterred, I head on over to Otto Frei... order up a new crystal, Google the neccessary 411, and get down to work. Here's the end result... not bad for my first time out.




Got a little messy with the glue. the spot below the 2 in 22 is also a touch of glue... used a toothpick to apply it to the bottom of the lume marker.


The hands came out OK and the date still changes exactly at mid-night.

Most of the flaws you see in the close-ups are actually alot less visible when wearing the watch. I think the reason Omega was a bit reluctant to take it on was because, after hearing my story, they were understandably concerned with damage that may have been done to the movement. But all's well that ends well... I guess. I've been wearing the watch constantly now for about three weeks waiting for something to go wrong, but so far so good.

[DCgator]

If you're really bent on having a different dial take it to a pro and be done with it. When I wanted a different dial for my TT Tbird (came with gold Tapestry and it got boring fast) I made a deal with Ben Bridge for free installation and paid the $150 for the brand new white dial with Romans. I have not regretted that change. Good luck!

[Boopie]

Dude, I'm hesitant to buff out a scratch on my Rolex's bracelet. There is no way I would open up the caseback. There would be too much dust, let alone no way to pressure-test the watch at home.

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Are you a qualified watchmaker? If not, don't even think about it!! You wouldn't even know where to start, which tools to use...................and if you did make an attempt, rest assured you'd be looking at a whopping bill to set things right again!!