The Dive Watch Connection

Hi everyone,

I was able to pick up a gorgeous Rado Captain Cook some months back. Now, though, my watchmaker can’t get it open. There doesn’t appear to be rust present. He’s a pro, and if he can’t get it open, it must be sealed seriously shut. Could the threads be messed up? Any ideas? He says anything else he tries could damage the watch. Here’s a picture.

Thanks,
Daniel


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Have you tried two screwdrivers?

I haven’t - but I have not tried anything. The watchmaker has it. Is that an obvious method he would’ve tried?


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No. Just a long-standing forum joke.

Does the watchmaker have a bench mounted tool to open cases, or just hand tools?

I experienced the same problem with an unopened(40+ yrs) diver. The caseback gasket melted and turned to a tar like substance. Jack @ IWW was able to open but he had a hell of a time.

Thanks for the feedback. Is Jack at IWW someone you could put me in touch with?


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info@internationalwatchworks.com or (919) 462-1873. Tell him what's up and see if he can help you. Jack's a great guy. Good Luck!

Thanks!


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Jack got back to me and suggested heating the watch up, so that a melted, stuck gasket becomes a little loose and then maybe it will open. Anyone tried this?


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Have not tried that. I live close to Jack so I send my stuff to him frequently. I have heard super gluing wood to a stuck case back to create some leverage and then remove the glue when you are done is a trick that some collectors do that supposedly does not damage the case, but I havent tried that yet either...

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dnm82 wrote:Jack got back to me and suggested heating the watch up, so that a melted, stuck gasket becomes a little loose and then maybe it will open. Anyone tried this?


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I personally haven’t but use a hair dryer on high, or if you go to an actual heat gun, start with the low setting for sure - those puppies get hot!

I’m going to send it to Jack! My guy didn’t want to work on it, and Jack does. Looking forward to working with him.


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I know some Rados' have a bayonet mount, like a camera lens mount.

That’s what it was - a bayonet opening. Jack got it open and is restoring it. Thank you!


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I also found out the the Austin watch company is some how associated with Rado and also has a bayonet case back. I almost damaged the case on my Austin Premier Super Automatic. So watch out for those case backs that just turn a quarter turn and stop.

I am happy to report that Jack Alexyon of IWW did an amazing job on this Rado. I wholly recommend him for your watch servicing needs. If you’re curious, here’s what it looks like.


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Jack is good people. Glad to see it worked out, and you are happy!

Glad to hear it as well... that watch looks amazing

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ncstate1201 wrote:Glad to hear it as well... that watch looks amazing

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Thank you! He did a great job overall, and I am especially impressed with the lume work he did on the hands — it is a great match to the existing lume on the dial. Here’s another image.


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That turned out great! Jack is one of the best lumers in the biz!!!

Jack is a wizard, glad he's back in the game

Rado looks super!

Glad to hear that all turned out well. Jack's the best!

That does look really good. Congrats.