5 Easy Steps to Remove a Stem From a Watch

Image of watch stem

A watch is a timepiece incorporated into a small, portable device carried or worn by a person. It usually displays the time of day, although more complex models may have additional features such as an alarm, stopwatch, timer, compass, altimeter, or heart rate monitor. Digital watches display the time electronically, while analog watches use the movement of hands over a dial. While watches can be a valuable and stylish accessory, they can also be delicate and require careful maintenance. One common task that watch owners may need to perform is removing the stem. The stem is the small, round knob that protrudes from the side of the watch case and is used to set the time and date. Removing the stem can be necessary if you need to replace the watch battery or repair the movement.

Before you begin, it is important to gather the necessary tools. You will need a small screwdriver, a pair of tweezers, and a soft cloth. It is also helpful to have a magnifying glass to get a closer look at the watch’s internal components. Once you have gathered your tools, you can begin the process of removing the stem. First, use the screwdriver to remove the small screw that holds the stem in place. Be careful not to overtighten the screw, as this can damage the watch. Once the screw is removed, you can carefully pull the stem out of the watch case using the tweezers. If the stem is stuck, you can try gently rocking it back and forth until it comes loose. Once the stem has been removed, you can proceed with the repair or replacement.

After you have completed the repair or replacement, you can reinsert the stem into the watch case. First, apply a small amount of oil to the stem to help it move smoothly. Then, carefully insert the stem into the watch case and tighten the screw to secure it in place. Be careful not to overtighten the screw, as this can damage the watch. Once the stem has been reinserted, you can test the watch to make sure it is working properly. If the watch is not working properly, you may need to take it to a watch repair shop for further assistance.

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Tools Required

Personal Safety Gear

Prioritize personal safety by wearing gloves to protect your hands. They shield your skin from potentially sharp watch components and any lubricants or oils you may encounter. Additionally, consider wearing safety glasses to safeguard your eyes from flying debris or unexpected movements.

Watchmaker’s Tools

Watchmaker’s Loupe

A watchmaker’s loupe is indispensable for this task. Its magnified view ensures you see the watch components clearly and work with precision. Choose a loupe with a magnification of around 10x to 15x for optimal visibility.

Tweezers

Tweezers with fine tips are crucial for handling the watch’s tiny parts. Select a pair that is non-magnetic and anti-static to prevent damage to the watch’s delicate components. Anti-magnetic tweezers ensure that they won’t affect the watch’s magnetic balance, while anti-static tweezers prevent the accumulation of static electricity.

Rodico

Rodico is a pliable adhesive material used to clean and hold small watch parts. It is excellent for removing dirt and debris from the watch stem and surrounding areas.

Watch Stem Remover

A watch stem remover is a specialized tool specifically designed to remove watch stems. It is usually T-shaped, with a fork at one end that fits around the stem and a knob at the other end that you turn to unscrew the stem. This tool is essential for safely and efficiently removing the watch stem without damaging the watch.

In addition to these tools, you may also need a small flashlight to illuminate the work area, a soft cloth to clean the watch after the procedure, and a watchmaker’s workstation or a clean, stable surface to work on.

Tool	Description	Purpose
Watchmaker’s Loupe	Magnifying glass with 10x to 15x magnification	Enhanced visibility of watch components
Tweezers	Non-magnetic, anti-static fine tips	Handling small watch parts and cleaning
Rodico	Pliable adhesive material	Cleaning and holding small watch parts
Watch Stem Remover	T-shaped tool with a fork and a knob	Safe and efficient removal of watch stems

Removing a Screw-Down Stem

Screw-down stems are typically found on diving watches and are designed to prevent water from entering the watch case through the crown. To remove a screw-down stem, you will need a специальная отвертка для часов with a small flat-head tip.

Unscrew the crown by turning it counterclockwise. If the crown is particularly tight, you may need to use a pair of pliers to grip it.
Once the crown is unscrewed, you will see the stem. The stem is usually held in place by a small screw. Use the screwdriver to unscrew the screw.
Once the screw is removed, you can pull the stem out of the watch case. Be careful not to lose the small spring that is located inside the stem. This spring is what helps to return the stem to its original position when you push it back in.

Replacing the Stem

To replace the stem, simply reverse the steps above. First, insert the stem into the watch case. Then, screw in the screw that holds the stem in place. Finally, screw the crown back onto the stem.

Tool	Description
Phillips head screwdriver	Used to remove the screws that hold the movement in place.
Flat head screwdriver	Used to remove the stem from the movement.
Tweezers	Used to handle small parts, such as the stem and spring.
Magnifying glass	Optional, but helpful for seeing small parts.

Removing the Crown

Before you can remove the stem from your watch, you need to remove the crown. To do this, locate the small notch on the side of the case. Insert a small screwdriver or toothpick into the notch and gently pry the crown loose. Be careful not to damage the crown or the case.

Once the crown is loose, pull it straight out of the case. You may need to use a pair of pliers to get a good grip on the crown. Be careful not to twist or bend the crown, as this could damage the watch.

Removing the Stem

Once the crown is removed, you can now remove the stem. To do this, insert a small pair of tweezers into the hole in the case where the crown was removed. Gently pull the stem out of the case. Be careful not to damage the stem or the movement.

Once the stem is removed, you can now replace it with a new one. To do this, insert the new stem into the hole in the case and gently push it into place. Be careful not to damage the stem or the movement.

Once the new stem is in place, you can now reattach the crown. To do this, simply push the crown back into the case until it snaps into place. Be careful not to overtighten the crown, as this could damage the watch.

Table of Tools Needed

Tool	Purpose
Small screwdriver or toothpick	To pry the crown loose
Small pair of tweezers	To remove the stem
New stem	To replace the old stem
Pliers (optional)	To get a good grip on the crown

Disassembling the Movement

Once the case back is removed, you’ll need to disassemble the movement to access the stem. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Remove the Hands

Carefully pry the hour and minute hands off the movement using a pair of horological tweezers. Be gentle and avoid touching or bending the hands.

2. Remove the Dial

Gently remove the dial from the movement. It may be held in place by screws or a dial clamp. If there are screws, remove them carefully.

3. Remove the Movement Retaining Ring

Locate the movement retaining ring, which is usually a metal ring that holds the movement in place. Use a pair of tweezers to gently remove the ring.

4. Lift out the Movement

Carefully lift the movement out of the case. Be careful not to touch or damage any of the movement components.

5. Remove the Dial Feet

If the movement is not attached to the case by dial feet, remove the dial feet by unscrewing them from the movement.

6. Remove the Crown Wheel Bridge

Identify the crown wheel bridge, which is the bridge that holds the crown wheel in place. Remove the bridge by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place.

7. Remove the Crown Wheel

The crown wheel is attached to the stem. To remove it, follow these steps:

Use a pair of horological tweezers to gently lift the crown wheel off the stem.
If the crown wheel is stuck, gently pry it off using a thin, non-marring tool.

Once the crown wheel is removed, you can carefully pull the stem out of the movement. Be sure to note the orientation of the stem for reassembly.

Points to Note:
– Handle all movement components with great care.
– Use the correct tools and always exercise caution.
– If you are unsure about any step, consult a professional watchmaker.

Reassembling the Movement and Stem

Inserting the Crown and Stem

Once the movement is inside the case, slide the crown into the hole in the case. Push gently to insert the stem into the movement. Turn the crown clockwise to screw it into the movement until it is fully seated.

Adjusting the Hands

With the crown fully in place, you can adjust the hands. Pull the crown out to the first position (one click out). Turn the crown clockwise to move the hour hand. Turn the crown counterclockwise to move the minute hand. Adjust the second hand by pulling the crown out to the second position (two clicks out).

Fitting the Hands

Once the hands are adjusted, push the crown fully back into the movement. If the hands move when you push the crown back in, the hands may need to be refitted. This is done by gently pulling the hands off the movement and pressing them back on. Be careful not to damage the hands or the movement.

Resetting the Date

If the watch has a date function, it may need to be reset. Pull the crown out to the second position and turn it counterclockwise until the date changes to the correct day. Push the crown back in to save the date.

Tightening the Crown

Once the hands and, if applicable, the date are set, tighten the crown by turning it counterclockwise. The crown should be tight enough to prevent water from entering the watch but not so tight that it is difficult to turn.


Tools	Watchmaker’s screwdriver Tweezers
Materials	Replacement watch stem
Difficulty	Intermediate
Time	30-60 minutes

How To Remove A Stem From A Watch

Prepare the watch. Place the watch on a flat surface, with the dial facing up.
Identify the stem. The stem is the small, cylindrical piece that protrudes from the side of the watch case. It is used to adjust the time and date.
Use a pair of tweezers to gently grip the stem. Be careful not to damage the stem or the watch case.
Pull the stem out of the watch case. The stem will come out easily if it is not damaged.
Remove the stem from the tweezers. You can now replace the stem with the new one.