I have exact tool in silver. I had to raise the blades on washers. Was not deep enough. I also bench grinded the top middle of the cross bars between blades. Looks & works perfectly now.
I’m encountering the same problem. My Orient Kamasu’s bezel doesn’t have enough clearance between the blades and cross rails. I’m going to try some stainless washers, hopefully that will solve the problem.
Good starting point for home made one. I'd replace adjusting screw with small headed one, close all the way and invert on some sandpaper to bring down the curved tops. Just use figure 8 pattern and once totally flat, polish to a mirror shine.
Why would you do a figure 8. I mean you have a really teally hood idea , but id use one of my cheaper coarse stones and just rune even strokes taking off material while pulling back .. but you gave me that idea do ty
Thansk for the vid. I just had to remove a seiko 5 pressed on bezel and it was a total pain in the ass with a razor blade and i slipped and gouged the case twice. I'm thinking this is probably a much safer option. I would love to see a vid of how you typically do it though. There's such little info on removing these flush friction fit bezels where there's barely a crack to get a blade into.
There is one more difference other than the second (left side) "bridge" that you mentioned - the Horotec tool has bushings installed inside the moving part which closes and opens - so that the it travels very smoothly and probably with zero wobble on the shafts (also make it more durable). I can't understand why the Chinese did not copy this since we are talking here about maybe 40-50 cents more in material (per tool) just two thin bushings pressed into the aluminum part to allow much smoother and precise travel on the two static shafts
The ones on Ebay UK state that they are suitable for watches in the 38 to 40mm diameter range. I am amazed at this limitation. A lot of vintage watches are a bit smaller than this. Do you know of anywhere that supplies different blades to accommodate smaller watches? On the other hand do you think longer blades tapered toward the leading edge would do the trick?
Hello Chris. I just used it on a 32 mm ladies Datejust last week. The size is rated up to 40mm but can do smaller. Are you working on smaller than say 30 - 32mm? It's does the same size as the Horotec. I haven't confirmed but the replacement blade hole positions seem close to the swiss ones so there may be other blades available to fit. It is made of aluminum and given the inexpensive price another option may be drilling and tapping another inward blade mounting screw hole for each blade to move them in a bit more.
Excellent video. Would you use/recommend this in the process of removing a bezel from a watch like a Steinhart Ocean Two Premium? I 'd like to adjust the spring tension without breaking the bank. Cheers
It’s really unfortunate that American made watchmakers’ products that could compete with Swiss made ones are virtually non existent. Even as a hobbyist I would buy and support American made products if they were available before I look anywhere else.
Yes, have used it several times and it works well however I did stone down the top of the blades. It removed the sprin bezel off 4 watches. You do have to use a Razor blade on Rolex crystal retaining rings to first create a small gap.
Have you ever tried the HOROTEC AUTOMATIC WATCH CASE OPENER MSA07.004? I was just wondering how it compares to this and if it might be a better choice?
I have exact tool in silver. I had to raise the blades on washers. Was not deep enough. I also bench grinded the top middle of the cross bars between blades. Looks & works perfectly now.
I’m encountering the same problem. My Orient Kamasu’s bezel doesn’t have enough clearance between the blades and cross rails. I’m going to try some stainless washers, hopefully that will solve the problem.
Good starting point for home made one. I'd replace adjusting screw with small headed one, close all the way and invert on some sandpaper to bring down the curved tops. Just use figure 8 pattern and once totally flat, polish to a mirror shine.
Thanks Mike. Yes that's what I did to the top of the blades and it seems to work a bit better now.
Why would you do a figure 8. I mean you have a really teally hood idea , but id use one of my cheaper coarse stones and just rune even strokes taking off material while pulling back .. but you gave me that idea do ty
This is super cool. Thanks for making these videos. I hope you keep making more.
Thansk for the vid. I just had to remove a seiko 5 pressed on bezel and it was a total pain in the ass with a razor blade and i slipped and gouged the case twice. I'm thinking this is probably a much safer option. I would love to see a vid of how you typically do it though. There's such little info on removing these flush friction fit bezels where there's barely a crack to get a blade into.
There is one more difference other than the second (left side) "bridge" that you mentioned - the Horotec tool has bushings installed inside the moving part which closes and opens - so that the it travels very smoothly and probably with zero wobble on the shafts (also make it more durable). I can't understand why the Chinese did not copy this since we are talking here about maybe 40-50 cents more in material (per tool) just two thin bushings pressed into the aluminum part to allow much smoother and precise travel on the two static shafts
Appreciate the video. I’ve been considering getting one of these on AliExpress. Looks like a good option.
The ones on Ebay UK state that they are suitable for watches in the 38 to 40mm diameter range. I am amazed at this limitation. A lot of vintage watches are a bit smaller than this. Do you know of anywhere that supplies different blades to accommodate smaller watches? On the other hand do you think longer blades tapered toward the leading edge would do the trick?
Hello Chris. I just used it on a 32 mm ladies Datejust last week. The size is rated up to 40mm but can do smaller. Are you working on smaller than say 30 - 32mm? It's does the same size as the Horotec. I haven't confirmed but the replacement blade hole positions seem close to the swiss ones so there may be other blades available to fit. It is made of aluminum and given the inexpensive price another option may be drilling and tapping another inward blade mounting screw hole for each blade to move them in a bit more.
Excellent video. Would you use/recommend this in the process of removing a bezel from a watch like a Steinhart Ocean Two Premium? I 'd like to adjust the spring tension without breaking the bank. Cheers
For the money it's worth a try.
@24hourgmtchannel64 it reads up to 40mm right? That accurate?
The bezels about 43.5 on this particular piece.
@@24hourgmtchannel64 thanks. I agree
@jtcaruanafan4617 Yes it will open a little wider than 43mm at least this one I bought.
America was built on brands, the people making them and the pride behind it all. Thank you for the honest review/ video
Thanks Hector. Horotec like many higher end watch tools are Swiss made. Years ago there were more US tool makes but no so today.
It’s really unfortunate that American made watchmakers’ products that could compete with Swiss made ones are virtually non existent. Even as a hobbyist I would buy and support American made products if they were available before I look anywhere else.
I bought one and it is worthless. Doesn't work with thicker bezels. They should have made the blades adjustable for thicker bezel.
A useful that does its job? Yet you did not get it to do its job. I have this tool and it's a solid F.
Yes, have used it several times and it works well however I did stone down the top of the blades. It removed the sprin bezel off 4 watches. You do have to use a Razor blade on Rolex crystal retaining rings to first create a small gap.
Have you ever tried the
HOROTEC AUTOMATIC WATCH CASE OPENER MSA07.004?
I was just wondering how it compares to this and if it might be a better choice?