Hand removal has always been my bugaboo. Watching you do it with a ziploc bag and levers drives me a little nuts because you make it look so easy. I've marred many dials and bent many hands in my time
Since nobody can tell me how to add photos to my comments I will just explain it and save the photos. Hopefully, you can understand it. First remove the 3 sub-dial hands with any tool. Take the bottom of a round plastic movement container that is about 1mm in thickness and 24 mm in diameter and mark the position of the sub-dials. Drill 3 holes, oversized compared to the posts but not too much, one for each sub-dial. Drill another hole in the center big enough to match the biggest center hand and a narrow V shape slot like the one found in dial protectors. Make sure the bottom of the plastic container is smooth after drilling the holes. Slide it under the center hands and now the 3 posts for the sub-dials will fit in the holes. Your dial is now 1mm higher and any tool that you use to remove the hands (except for the Horotec) will not touch or put pressure on the dial. Remove the chronograph hand with any tool (I use the presto tool) making sure to fit your tool under the pipe and not the hand. Next, remove the minute hand and then take the protector and remove the hour hand. You can use this device to remove hands for any watch with high canon pinions like the Ronda 515 AIG6. You can a different one for different movements but this one will fit most watches. It is done with materials and tools that I am sure all of you have on your bench, so it is free and hopefully, it works for all of you.
Thanks so much for the video! I was able to modify the Horotec Single Hand Press to act as a stand by opening the press hole and adding a transverse set screw. Not quite as smooth as the Horotec version, but a lot cheaper!
Thanks for the informative video. I saw this tool from Horotech, but couldn't understand it's need since levers work fine. I didn't consider the chronograph hand and the rate of speed to get to the top position. Thanks again, love your videos!
This is excellent. Nice video and demonstration Mark. Have just spotted a link to a budget version which I might try out as I really like the idea but it is expensive if not used regularly.
I had a similar issue with some Mitutoyo dial calipers from someone at work. I was worried I was going to dent the dial. I ended up making a dial protector out of a bit of pop can (I covered the back side with masking tape so I didn't scratch the dial). Then I just pried with a little bit more force than usual to get the single hand off. I like your method better.
As a rank amateur I had considered changing the dial on a Seiko mechaquartz. This has decided me against the attempt ,thanks for saving me a not inconsiderable sum! :-)
Thanks for your videos, I really enjoy watching them. I have a question, do you service Tissot automatic watches? Having watched your work I think I can trust you to do a good job. It is very difficult to find a good service watch people. I dont know if Tissot do their own servicing or contract it out. Thanks again for your video
Link to Horotec's Video: ruclips.net/video/2Nclr62JiDU/видео.html Sometimes removing a chronograph running hand seems to be almost impossible, especially with some Tag, Omega and Breitling watches. I may have stumbled upon a solution. The Horotec 05.120 (05.125) watch hand extraction tool!
Perhaps you could do a video on the re-installation of a dive watch bezel with the spring wire ratchet mechanism.I have the O&W M5 and need to do this,so far with no luck.................................
With the addition of a simple stand as you suggest would improve this tool no end. If you snap the .015 pin could you not drill it out and fit a new pin with loctite making future replacement just a matter of heating it up to break the pin loose.
Could you do a vid on hard to remove snap casebacks? I have a Pulsar V600 project and I can't get the caseback off, it lacks the little dimpled area we can get something under, its not a screwdown one lacking screwdown lug fittings and I have tried fine sharp blades, thin fiche of metal, a plastic sharp bevelled edge spreader and its defeated them all.
I need to order a new balance assembly for the first chromatic watch as you show in your video. Do you happen to have any possible references for this?
Info came three month too late. While prying the second hand of my 45 year old Hanhart stop watch, I dented the aluminum dial. Now I have to think about what to do with the JLC stop watch waiting in the drawer.
I have often thought that it seems kind of archaic to manually "pry" the hands off of these expensive watches with all of the rest of fine care taken, this tool seems much wiser than a sheet of plastic and a couple of tiny pry's ..... but what do I know
How about you make or find some sort of holder/stand that allows you to not have to hold either the watch or the removal tool. Only needing to turn the knurled screw.
They should make a little recess in the bottom part that touch the dial and put there a thin Teflon spacer that would protect dial from eventually scratch. But for now I advise to stick a kapton tape.
I would like to ask a question about a watch I own, is it possible to get an answer? it's about a timex watch, it's all titanium, can these movements be fixed or replaced with another, non timex? it's a quartz movement, thanks
I’m not so convinced that this tool is the solution to remove the chronograph seconds hand, from what I can see the tool is holding from underneath the hand not the collet while pulling, if the collet is really tight the tool could still pull the hand only and leave the collet on the pivot! Only my thoughts!
I have my daddy's 1972 omega. Which I wish to restore back to its original. Unfortunately I don't have any good restorers in India. So I was just thinking how can I get it done. I think it's omega seamaster
I don't see how this solves the problem. This tool pulls from the hand itself, rather than the collet, so the risk of damaging the hand remains exactly the same. I use a Presto and just yank on it without anything touching the dial, and that works *most* of the time. Then there are the maddening times where I think I got it, and realize that the collet is still on the pivot!
Boo on Horotec for releasing a hand held tool with such fine tips... They should have only made the fixture model.. It seems to take out alot of the "Human" error.
I watch youtube watch videos all the time and never reply because every watchmaker has its own way of repairing watches. I will share how I remove the hands not just from a 7750 but from any high canon pinion watch using only a presto tool and a homemade dial protector if anybody tells me how to add photos or videos in my comment.
this tool is too difficult to use, cause breakage, permanent, does not have a firm structure, so it can break the pivot. I use presto bergeon, and I have a great !!
A lot of Breitling and Tag hands are put on mentally tight, but you can't push the pusher through the pipe/rivet to be able to remove the hand as you have shown. The rivet on the sweep second chronograph hand on these types of watches doesn't have a hole in that rivet to be able to use the tool as you have shown, so probably why you haven't updated this video with a Breitling sweep second chronograph hand is for this reason. You are giving people the wrong idea about this tool. Shame on you Mark! This video was posted three years ago and still no update on a Bretiling chronograph hand. I know why because you can't remove a Breitling chronograph hand in the way you have shown. The rivet will either give way or the pipe will remain on the arbor. I know this through many experiences as a professional watchmaker, so please don't post videos of really expensive tools that don't work for what they are intended for. I have this tool and it is really good for removing stubborn hands, but when it comes to Breitling and Tag chronograph sweep seconds hands it is a bit hit and miss. it is better by far than a presto tool, but it doesn't take the hands off as you have shown! I have had to re-rivet so many Breitling chronograph sweep seconds hands for the very fact that Breitling doesn't want third-party watchmakers to remove these hands successfully and if the watch goes back to Breitling they replace this hand as standard as it is designed to break when it is removed!
Hand removal has always been my bugaboo. Watching you do it with a ziploc bag and levers drives me a little nuts because you make it look so easy. I've marred many dials and bent many hands in my time
Mark as always your videos are excellent!!
Since nobody can tell me how to add photos to my comments I will just explain it and save the photos. Hopefully, you can understand it. First remove the 3 sub-dial hands with any tool. Take the bottom of a round plastic movement container that is about 1mm in thickness and 24 mm in diameter and mark the position of the sub-dials. Drill 3 holes, oversized compared to the posts but not too much, one for each sub-dial. Drill another hole in the center big enough to match the biggest center hand and a narrow V shape slot like the one found in dial protectors. Make sure the bottom of the plastic container is smooth after drilling the holes. Slide it under the center hands and now the 3 posts for the sub-dials will fit in the holes. Your dial is now 1mm higher and any tool that you use to remove the hands (except for the Horotec) will not touch or put pressure on the dial. Remove the chronograph hand with any tool (I use the presto tool) making sure to fit your tool under the pipe and not the hand. Next, remove the minute hand and then take the protector and remove the hour hand. You can use this device to remove hands for any watch with high canon pinions like the Ronda 515 AIG6. You can a different one for different movements but this one will fit most watches. It is done with materials and tools that I am sure all of you have on your bench, so it is free and hopefully, it works for all of you.
Works just like a bicycle crank-arm removal tool. Brilliant!
Thank you very much for the video. Removing chronograph hand is quite a problem for me.
Thanks so much for the video! I was able to modify the Horotec Single Hand Press to act as a stand by opening the press hole and adding a transverse set screw. Not quite as smooth as the Horotec version, but a lot cheaper!
Thanks for the informative video. I saw this tool from Horotech, but couldn't understand it's need since levers work fine. I didn't consider the chronograph hand and the rate of speed to get to the top position. Thanks again, love your videos!
This is excellent. Nice video and demonstration Mark. Have just spotted a link to a budget version which I might try out as I really like the idea but it is expensive if not used regularly.
It would be nice if they made it designed to interface with a Seitz jewel setter to allow fine control.
I had a similar issue with some Mitutoyo dial calipers from someone at work. I was worried I was going to dent the dial. I ended up making a dial protector out of a bit of pop can (I covered the back side with masking tape so I didn't scratch the dial). Then I just pried with a little bit more force than usual to get the single hand off.
I like your method better.
As a rank amateur I had considered changing the dial on a Seiko mechaquartz. This has decided me against the attempt ,thanks for saving me a not inconsiderable sum! :-)
So interesting, is it similar to the method used in gear pullers? Thanks so much & stay safe.
Hello Mark! Always interesting to see your video, but the second part of the Chrono Seiko 6139B? We are still waiting..thank you!
You're right, the bench mount unit would be easier to use and cause less damage.
Thanks for your videos, I really enjoy watching them.
I have a question, do you service Tissot automatic watches? Having watched your work I think I can trust you to do a good job. It is very difficult to find a good service watch people. I dont know if Tissot do their own servicing or contract it out.
Thanks again for your video
Nothing like the old school tools and techniques
Mark, Like it a lot. As you made this video 2 years ago, wondering about the performance in the last 2 year on using it on Breitlings ?
Link to Horotec's Video: ruclips.net/video/2Nclr62JiDU/видео.html
Sometimes removing a chronograph running hand seems to be almost impossible, especially with some Tag, Omega and Breitling watches. I may have stumbled upon a solution. The Horotec 05.120 (05.125) watch hand extraction tool!
Thanks a lot!! very useful
I need hand removal tools
What's up number send
Name is saifullah from Bangalore India
What's up number +917899510305
Hi could you tell me where i can buy the hand lever tools you are using,thanks steve.
Yes indeed, it needs a jig to hold the extractor steady, it would be so much easier to use then. Very nice tool.
U
Like a miniature ball joint press!
Ahahah. That's true!!!
Perhaps you could do a video on the re-installation of a dive watch bezel with the spring wire ratchet mechanism.I have the O&W M5 and need to do this,so far with no luck.................................
Great!
Seems like the risk of scratching the dial is pretty high without the armature they had in their video.
Ideally, it's only needed for the chrono hand.
With the addition of a simple stand as you suggest would improve this tool no end. If you snap the .015 pin could you not drill it out and fit a new pin with loctite making future replacement just a matter of heating it up to break the pin loose.
Mark maybe the Horotec style hand fitting tool would be a frame to aid the use of this tool 🤔 or adjust an old staking set tool
Could you do a vid on hard to remove snap casebacks? I have a Pulsar V600 project and I can't get the caseback off, it lacks the little dimpled area we can get something under, its not a screwdown one lacking screwdown lug fittings and I have tried fine sharp blades, thin fiche of metal, a plastic sharp bevelled edge spreader and its defeated them all.
Any tips on replacing capacitors on Casio Edifice watches?
I need to order a new balance assembly for the first chromatic watch as you show in your video. Do you happen to have any possible references for this?
Nice.
Info came three month too late. While prying the second hand of my 45 year old Hanhart stop watch, I dented the aluminum dial. Now I have to think about what to do with the JLC stop watch waiting in the drawer.
My orders have been held up as well. USPS, UPS and Fedex are all way behind schedule due to the pandemic.
Hey....... it's like a harmonic balance puller used when doing a timing chain on a car or truck..... only a tad bit smaller !!
seiko flightmaster does this need this tool you think?
Strumento bellissimo, ma quanto tempo ci vuole per rimuovere le lancette. Direi che è indicato su quadranti skeleton o con particolari finiture.
this tool is very easy to made with a decent lathe except the 0.15mm pin. I would say the price is ridiculous and the tool needs a lot improvement.
I have often thought that it seems kind of archaic to manually "pry" the hands off of these expensive watches with all of the rest of fine care taken, this tool seems much wiser than a sheet of plastic and a couple of tiny pry's ..... but what do I know
How about you make or find some sort of holder/stand that allows you to not have to hold either the watch or the removal tool. Only needing to turn the knurled screw.
Could a soldering gun or pen be used to apply heat to the hand?
They should make a little recess in the bottom part that touch the dial and put there a thin Teflon spacer that would protect dial from eventually scratch. But for now I advise to stick a kapton tape.
I would like to ask a question about a watch I own, is it possible to get an answer? it's about a timex watch, it's all titanium, can these movements be fixed or replaced with another, non timex? it's a quartz movement, thanks
I break the pivot of a miyota movement by doing this. frustrating
Hi do you want my breitling to service it’s a b1 it needs a battery and service where are you based?
This tool is perfect for removing chronograph seconds hands, just put protection under it so that you don't damage the minute hand.
I’m not so convinced that this tool is the solution to remove the chronograph seconds hand, from what I can see the tool is holding from underneath the hand not the collet while pulling, if the collet is really tight the tool could still pull the hand only and leave the collet on the pivot! Only my thoughts!
I have my daddy's 1972 omega. Which I wish to restore back to its original. Unfortunately I don't have any good restorers in India. So I was just thinking how can I get it done. I think it's omega seamaster
Magkano pa repir saan ba kyo para mpuntahan slmat
I don't see how this solves the problem. This tool pulls from the hand itself, rather than the collet, so the risk of damaging the hand remains exactly the same. I use a Presto and just yank on it without anything touching the dial, and that works *most* of the time. Then there are the maddening times where I think I got it, and realize that the collet is still on the pivot!
A mini "gear puller"
I have seen cloned items of these on ali express
nl.aliexpress.com/item/4001069784389.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1bef4993YP2RWg&algo_pvid=63e999a9-6157-4df9-9b72-ab6717fa93a2&algo_expid=63e999a9-6157-4df9-9b72-ab6717fa93a2-25&btsid=0b0a050b15957746170631924e256c&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
This tool costs money because it saves time, heart ache and money. ✌👍
It does look awkward to use
Hope the tool does not alter the diameter of the hand hole when removing
Looks like a miniature windscreen wiper arm pull tool.
Boo on Horotec for releasing a hand held tool with such fine tips... They should have only made the fixture model.. It seems to take out alot of the "Human" error.
I ordered a Chinese version from Aliexpress last week without knowing it was a knock off. If it works well, it's a bargain!
I saw these tools and wondered how they were used. I may get myself a set.
Thanks for the info, What is the name of the tool on aliexpess cause I can't find it on aliexpress
32 seconds ago posted lol. Good vid
Press and release would be a better
看起來不是很好用 或許用在計時大秒針
It needs something steady.... like hands.
I watch youtube watch videos all the time and never reply because every watchmaker has its own way of repairing watches. I will share how I remove the hands not just from a 7750 but from any high canon pinion watch using only a presto tool and a homemade dial protector if anybody tells me how to add photos or videos in my comment.
Im no watchmaker, call me chicken or that i don't have the necessary three hands, but I thought this method was ages old.
this tool is too difficult to use, cause breakage, permanent, does not have a firm structure, so it can break the pivot. I use presto bergeon, and I have a great !!
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒓 . 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓
It would be nice if the handle used a plunger action rather than a screw action I think.
i don't think it's a good tool,if not punch precicely it may hurt the watch hands
*Wait till china copy and sell this tool for $5,99.*
A lot of Breitling and Tag hands are put on mentally tight, but you can't push the pusher through the pipe/rivet to be able to remove the hand as you have shown. The rivet on the sweep second chronograph hand on these types of watches doesn't have a hole in that rivet to be able to use the tool as you have shown, so probably why you haven't updated this video with a Breitling sweep second chronograph hand is for this reason. You are giving people the wrong idea about this tool. Shame on you Mark! This video was posted three years ago and still no update on a Bretiling chronograph hand. I know why because you can't remove a Breitling chronograph hand in the way you have shown. The rivet will either give way or the pipe will remain on the arbor. I know this through many experiences as a professional watchmaker, so please don't post videos of really expensive tools that don't work for what they are intended for. I have this tool and it is really good for removing stubborn hands, but when it comes to Breitling and Tag chronograph sweep seconds hands it is a bit hit and miss. it is better by far than a presto tool, but it doesn't take the hands off as you have shown! I have had to re-rivet so many Breitling chronograph sweep seconds hands for the very fact that Breitling doesn't want third-party watchmakers to remove these hands successfully and if the watch goes back to Breitling they replace this hand as standard as it is designed to break when it is removed!
One of your very own students ripped you off here on RUclips ... wristwatch revival channel ... he has more subs and patrons then you as well ... lol