Interesting vintage Tudors...

These watches were posted on one of the forum I follow. I find them interesting. Why? Well, look at them. Tudor Submariners with snowflake hands and round hour markers on the dial.

The watches.....

Photographs: MichaelC (MWR)

These watches were issued to the Canadian military. Assuming the hands were not changed during its life in the military (military watch service technicians is known to install whatever they had in hand to make watches under service, serviceable), it would mean that there were Tudors Submariners in this configuration. 

According to one of the posters on the site, there have been two other cases where single owner Tudor Submariner (non military) were also in this configuration. Cool.

That would also mean that this watch is not that much of a mismatch after-all...

Photograph: Tudor

Now how cool is that.....

Panerai Video

Some cool videos by Officine Panerai. So far they have posted 17 videos and some are about their watch making. Interesting to see what goes behind closed doors....

Officine Panerai

Casio PAG 40 battery replacement

Please note that this is not a step by step guide on how to replace the batteries but just to show how it can be done if you have the right tools, knowledge and experience. Always remember, when in doubt, it is best to send the watch to your local watch guy or Casio service center. 

I have removed the straps to make it easier to replace the batteries. 

There are 8 screws you need to remove. Remember where they all go...

The back 4 screws removed.

The side 2 screws removed...

The rubber case back removed. 

The stainless steel case back exposed. 

Stainless steel case back removed. Remember to lubricate the gasket before closing up the watch.

We are almost there. Need to remove the white plastic cover. 

Careful not to lose or dislodge these springs. They connect with the piezo-electric speakers on the case back.

The movement exposed...

The white plastic protection cover. 

Don't forget to reset the watch (as per the instruction) before you close up the watch.

Module made in Korea. 

The points to reset your module after the battery change. 

The batteries, 4 off...

Another view. 

The 2 at the sides are held by a hinged plate. The locking tab at the 3:30 o'clock position.

The center 2 batteries is held by a plate that is held in place by a locking tab at the 12 o'clock position and 2 'hinge' tabs at the opposite end. 

The other battery, also held by a hinged plate. Locking tab at the 8:30 o'clock position.

The locking plate of the central batteries. Locking tab at the 6 o'clock position. You can see the slot to insert a pin to unlock the tab in the center of the plastic (white) holding the locking tab in place.

You can just see how the tab is held in place. It is held in place by the resin/ plastic part. 

The same for the batteries at the side. 

To unlock the tab, just insert a pin in the groove and pry the tab. Not much force is needed. In fact, very little force is needed.

Another view.

Yet another view. 

Just 'pull' the pin towards you.

The tab unlocked. 

Another view of the locking tab. 

Now for the middle batteries. 

 Same tool, same way. And the tab unlocks. 

Another view of the locking tab for the central batteries. 

You can remove the locking plate to make it easy to replace the batteries. 

The locking plate removed. 

The locking plate. 

The locking plate back in. Just hook the two 'hinge' tabs and press down on the locking tab and it will lock itself. 

All the batteries in place and locked in place. 

Remember to reset (AC) the module before you close up. Also remember not to rotate or turn the watch over to check as it can cause the springs to fall out. Once everything check out OK, you can close up the watch. 

Ted Su Diver strap repair...

I like technical stuff (being an engineer and all) and that is one of the main reasons I like Ted Su Diver strap. It is the buckle that drew me to the strap. Anyway, one of the issue I have with the strap or buckle is the buckle itself. Rather a part of the buckle. It is the piece that hold the strap locked. After some time, the piece started to break or crumble. I contacted the people at Ted Su and they told me that they know of the problem and is working on an improved piece. They told me to hold on and after about a month or so, they sent me the new improved part.

The new piece. Not too sure of the material but looks like plastic to me. 

A closer view of the part. 

The part uncovered. Note the dimples on the part. It helps to lock the strap in place.

A well made piece. It could be carbon fibre? 

The inside or bottom side of the part. 

The Ted Su diver strap. I like this strap. Am tempted to get his new rubber version.

The suspect part...

Tools, or rather tool. :)

The screws that hold the parts in place. A real work of engineering. It is interesting to note that the screw threads is not at the end of the bar but near the screw head. Additionally, the bar itself has some play or allows limited movement. I believe this allows for some play within the buckle when worn, so that it not so rigid and stress out the buckle and strap. 

You can see how the screw/ bar sits in the buckle/ clasp. 

The broken part. 

The buckle disassembled. You can see the broken part. 

The new part with the old. I could not see the difference. Perhaps it is in the material used. 

The re-assembly. It is very easy actually. Well made or engineered parts. 

The top lever attached. This presses down on the strap and against the black part and locks the strap in place.

I just love the buckle/ clasp. Nice and very well made. 

The strap finally assembled. 

Testing to check everything is correct.

Happy again.