Replacing a damaged pusher

[Fred Jones]

Is it possible to remove/replace a pusher in a Rolex Chronograph
watch?

I am considering the purchase of an antique Rolex Chronograph watch
from a local estate sale. The watch runs and appears to keep accurate
time, but is badly damaged -- the plastic crystal is cracked and
broken (a piece even fell off in my hand while I was holding it), the
tachometer gauge that surrounds the crystal is badly scratched and
dented (it looks like it was scraped across a brick), and the top push
button 'pusher' is badly bent to the point that it can not push. The
woman says the watch was worn in an automobile accident and from the
looks of it I have no reason to doubt her story.

I can replace the crystal and either replace or live with the
tachometer gauge, but I would like to know:
1. Is the 'pusher' a generic part or is it specific to this Rolex? I
have an Omega Speedmaster and the 'pusher' on the Rolex looks exactly
like the 'pusher' on my Omega. It also looks like 'pushers' I have
seen on Seikos and other brands.
2. Is it possible to purchase a replacement 'pusher'? If so, from
where?
3. Approximately what should I expect to pay for the 'pusher'?
4. Once I open the case, how do you remove the 'pusher'? Is it screwed
into the case? Is there a c-clip holding it in? Is it welded or
soldered into the case?

[Jack Denver]

The parts are specific to Rolex and may or may not be available, but
probably will be. Rolex watch repair is not a DIY project. I suggest that
you have the watch looked at by a qualified watchmaker or by the Rolex
factory service center. It may cost quite a bit to restore the watch but
Rolex chronographs are very valuable in the collector market so if you can
get the watch for a good price it may be well worth it.

Post by Fred Jones
Is it possible to remove/replace a pusher in a Rolex Chronograph
watch?
I am considering the purchase of an antique Rolex Chronograph watch
from a local estate sale. The watch runs and appears to keep accurate
time, but is badly damaged -- the plastic crystal is cracked and
broken (a piece even fell off in my hand while I was holding it), the
tachometer gauge that surrounds the crystal is badly scratched and
dented (it looks like it was scraped across a brick), and the top push
button 'pusher' is badly bent to the point that it can not push. The
woman says the watch was worn in an automobile accident and from the
looks of it I have no reason to doubt her story.
I can replace the crystal and either replace or live with the
1. Is the 'pusher' a generic part or is it specific to this Rolex? I
have an Omega Speedmaster and the 'pusher' on the Rolex looks exactly
like the 'pusher' on my Omega. It also looks like 'pushers' I have
seen on Seikos and other brands.
2. Is it possible to purchase a replacement 'pusher'? If so, from
where?
3. Approximately what should I expect to pay for the 'pusher'?
4. Once I open the case, how do you remove the 'pusher'? Is it screwed
into the case? Is there a c-clip holding it in? Is it welded or
soldered into the case?

[Fred Jones]

Post by Jack Denver
The parts are specific to Rolex and may or may not be available, but
probably will be. Rolex watch repair is not a DIY project. I suggest that
you have the watch looked at by a qualified watchmaker or by the Rolex
factory service center. It may cost quite a bit to restore the watch but
Rolex chronographs are very valuable in the collector market so if you can
get the watch for a good price it may be well worth it.

I know that these watches are valuable, but I am interested in buying
it to wear, not resell. Since I posted the message I contacted a local
Rolex shop and they said that the watch would have to go back to Rolex
due to the extensive amount of damage. But they said to expect the
repair bill to exceed $1,000, which is way beyond my reach. The
purchase price will break my bank account as it is and leave nothing
left over. But I have repaired a couple of other watches, so I think I
can probably tackel this as long as I can find (and afford) the
replacement 'pushers' and know that they can be replaced without major
surgery. I have a hunch that once the movement is out of the case, the
'pushers' will be easy, but it is still a large enough sum of money
for me to spend that I do not want to take the plunge if it turns out
that the 'pushers' are welded or something like that.

[Terence Lynock CSD]

Post by Fred Jones
I have a hunch that once the movement is out of the case, the
'pushers' will be easy, but it is still a large enough sum of money
for me to spend that I do not want to take the plunge if it turns out
that the 'pushers' are welded or something like that.

Where are you Fred? chances are one of the watch makers in the Jewellery
quarter in Birmingham UK could either straighten or make a new one for
you, I have had clock and watch parts made to order by Walsh's and other
small one-man bands down there before now,

regards, Terry

[John Rowland]

the plastic crystal is cracked and broken

Did Rolex really make watches with plastic crystals?

[Frank Adam]

On Fri, 19 Nov 2004 20:14:46 -0000, "John Rowland"

Post by John Rowland

the plastic crystal is cracked and broken

Did Rolex really make watches with plastic crystals?

Oysters used plexis. And if that Rolex mentioned by the OP was an
Oyster or used a similar glass setup, replacing the glass will not be
a straight forward job. They were special types of plexis, which
slipped onto a ridge on the case, then were tightened down with an
outer ring. Standard glasses, as available from warehouses simply
won't fit.
As always, there are aftermarket ones we can get.

[Terence Lynock CSD]

Post by Frank Adam
They were special types of plexis, which
slipped onto a ridge on the case, then were tightened down with an
outer ring. Standard glasses, as available from warehouses simply
won't fit.
As always, there are aftermarket ones we can get.

I have a load of Hi-Dome Acrylic (about 350) in all sorts of sizes and
shapes still in their original packets, no use to me so anybody
interested?, I actually used a few of them for mixing model making paint
in,

regards, Terry

[Jack Denver]

Oh yes, up until 1977 all Rolexes has plexiglass (perspex in Britspeak)
crystals - this was the most common (and best material) before sapphire
became available in the 1960s (Rolex as always was conservative and did not
go for the new material right away). Even after '77 it took until the late
'80s before they changed all their production over to sapphire. The
changeover was not as simple as just changing 1 crystal for the other, but
rather required some retooling, so it is understandable they didn't change
the whole lineup overnight. I don't know when the changeover was made for
the Daytona.

It's not clear to me BTW whether the original poster is even referring to a
Daytona or some other earlier (and even more rare and valuable) model.
Whatever he does in the way of homemade repairs, I urge him not to do
anything that would damage the watch (this would include even opening the
back without the correct case opening machine, not a hand tool). It would be
better to put the watch in storage until you had enough money for a proper
restoration than it would be to cause damage to a rare watch - the amount of
reduction in value you cause through your handiwork could quite easily
exceed several times the "savings" from the DIY repair. And I say this as a
person who does not hesitate to open the back of beater watches. But when it
comes to a collectible, collectors place a high premium on condition - e.g.
lack of scratches, etc. I realize this watch is already in bad condition,
but you can always make a bad situation worse.

Post by John Rowland

the plastic crystal is cracked and broken

Did Rolex really make watches with plastic crystals?
--
John Rowland - Spamtrapped
Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7069/tpftla.html
A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood.
That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line -
It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes

[Moka Java]

Post by Jack Denver
It's not clear to me BTW whether the original poster is even referring to a
Daytona or some other earlier (and even more rare and valuable) model.

Daytona prices may well top the rarer models.

Post by Jack Denver
Whatever he does in the way of homemade repairs, I urge him not to do
anything that would damage the watch (this would include even opening the
back without the correct case opening machine, not a hand tool). It would be
better to put the watch in storage until you had enough money for a proper
restoration than it would be to cause damage to a rare watch - the amount of
reduction in value you cause through your handiwork could quite easily
exceed several times the "savings" from the DIY repair.

Better yet, sell it as it is and smile at a tidy profit rather than
bemoan the mess you may make of it.

And I say this as a

Post by Jack Denver
person who does not hesitate to open the back of beater watches. But when it
comes to a collectible, collectors place a high premium on condition - e.g.
lack of scratches, etc. I realize this watch is already in bad condition,
but you can always make a bad situation worse.

Richard "won't hesitate to open a "cheap" Rolex but taking a wrench to
the gold Vacheron makes me cringe" F

[Fred Jones]

Post by Jack Denver
It's not clear to me BTW whether the original poster is even referring to a
Daytona or some other earlier (and even more rare and valuable) model.
Whatever he does in the way of homemade repairs, I urge him not to do
anything that would damage the watch (this would include even opening the
back without the correct case opening machine, not a hand tool). It would be
better to put the watch in storage until you had enough money for a proper
restoration than it would be to cause damage to a rare watch - the amount of
reduction in value you cause through your handiwork could quite easily
exceed several times the "savings" from the DIY repair. And I say this as a
person who does not hesitate to open the back of beater watches. But when it
comes to a collectible, collectors place a high premium on condition - e.g.
lack of scratches, etc. I realize this watch is already in bad condition,
but you can always make a bad situation worse.

I am the original poster and I understand what you are saying. But I
have successfully repaired two other watches (not Rolex) and a couple
clocks and as long as I can find a suitable replacement 'pusher' (I
will actually get two just to be sure they match) and the removal of
the old 'pusher' does not require serious surgery (welding or
something like that), I am pretty sure I can handle it without causing
more damage.

[Frank Adam]

Post by Fred Jones
Is it possible to remove/replace a pusher in a Rolex Chronograph
watch?

Yep, Rolex should be able to do it. A good watchmaker should also be
able to find an alternative pusher, if Rolex says it's no longer
available.

Post by Fred Jones
I can replace the crystal and either replace or live with the
1. Is the 'pusher' a generic part or is it specific to this Rolex? I
have an Omega Speedmaster and the 'pusher' on the Rolex looks exactly
like the 'pusher' on my Omega. It also looks like 'pushers' I have
seen on Seikos and other brands.

You mean, in that they have a bit sticking out that you can push ?
Sorry. ;-)

Post by Fred Jones
2. Is it possible to purchase a replacement 'pusher'? If so, from
where?

Most watch warehouses will be able to give you pushers that will fit
most brands.

Post by Fred Jones
3. Approximately what should I expect to pay for the 'pusher'?

At Rolex, heaps. For a generic one, hm.. it's been a while but
wouldn't expect it to be more than say A$25 bucks.

Post by Fred Jones
4. Once I open the case, how do you remove the 'pusher'? Is it screwed
into the case? Is there a c-clip holding it in? Is it welded or
soldered into the case?

I'd expect the one on the Rolex, as on the Omegas has a screw in tube
and the pusher is just pushed through that and held by the movement
ring closing down into a ridge or cutout on the pusher's shaft.

[Frank Adam]

On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 07:22:05 +1100, Frank Adam

Post by Frank Adam
I'd expect the one on the Rolex, as on the Omegas has a screw in tube
and the pusher is just pushed through that and held by the movement
ring closing down into a ridge or cutout on the pusher's shaft.

I have mixed up my brands when i wrote the above. Some watches do have
pushers like that, Seiko, some Swiss brands..
Omegas,Tags do and i suspect the Rolex also will have a screw in tube
and a threaded pusher shaft that holds the pusher button in place.
Gimme time, i'll get there. :)

[Fred Jones]

Post by Frank Adam

Post by Fred Jones
Is it possible to remove/replace a pusher in a Rolex Chronograph
watch?

Yep, Rolex should be able to do it. A good watchmaker should also be
able to find an alternative pusher, if Rolex says it's no longer
available.

Thank you for the reply, but I can not afford to pay Rolex or a
watchmaker to do the repair, so I am trying to find out where I can
purchase replacement 'pushers' so I can repair it myself.

Post by Frank Adam

Post by Fred Jones
I can replace the crystal and either replace or live with the
1. Is the 'pusher' a generic part or is it specific to this Rolex? I
have an Omega Speedmaster and the 'pusher' on the Rolex looks exactly
like the 'pusher' on my Omega. It also looks like 'pushers' I have
seen on Seikos and other brands.

You mean, in that they have a bit sticking out that you can push ?
Sorry. ;-)

The 'pusher' on the Rolex appeared to be the same size, shape, height,
width and color as the 'pusher' on my Omega (and other watches I have
seen). As far as I could tell, it was the exact same part as I have
seen on other watches.

Post by Frank Adam

Post by Fred Jones
2. Is it possible to purchase a replacement 'pusher'? If so, from
where?

Most watch warehouses will be able to give you pushers that will fit
most brands.

I've contacted a couple of watch companies that I found on google, but
neither one sells 'pushers'. Do you know of a specific warehouse or
company that sells these? Email address or phone number?

Post by Frank Adam

Post by Fred Jones
3. Approximately what should I expect to pay for the 'pusher'?

At Rolex, heaps. For a generic one, hm.. it's been a while but
wouldn't expect it to be more than say A$25 bucks.

If a generic one will fit, that would be fine.
Now, if I can only find out how to remove the broken one and where I
can purchase the replacement?

Post by Frank Adam

Post by Fred Jones
4. Once I open the case, how do you remove the 'pusher'? Is it screwed
into the case? Is there a c-clip holding it in? Is it welded or
soldered into the case?

I'd expect the one on the Rolex, as on the Omegas has a screw in tube
and the pusher is just pushed through that and held by the movement
ring closing down into a ridge or cutout on the pusher's shaft.

Do I understand you correctly to be saying that the 'pusher' tube
should unscrew from the case?
It looked like the entire 'pusher' assembly was bent from the point
where it entered the case (the case looked alright). So I think the
entire assembly (including the 'tube') would need to be replaced.

[Revision]

Daytona screw down push button ? They may have someother ones not
listed.

http://www.ofrei.com/page_151.html#384

[Fred Jones]

Post by Revision
Daytona screw down push button ? They may have someother ones not
listed.
http://www.ofrei.com/page_151.html#384

I do not think this is a Daytona Rolex -- I only remember seeing the
words 'Rolex' and 'Chronograph' on the face.
The 'pusher' they show on the website is not the right type (the
'pusher' I would need does not have a screw knob), but I have emailed
ofrei to see if they can get the other style.

[Revision]

Daytona screw down push button

http://www.ofrei.com/page_151.html#384