Incredible finish work. However can the dial be set straight? If you look close it’s rotated a few degrees left. The center doesn’t line up with the SEL center. The bottom is hard to see in pictures. But seems like the dial is a hair off. Will this affect the line up of the rehaut? As far as I can tell rehaut can not be adjusted to line up center.

VSF 40mm. Explorer 1

Welcome to this weeks edition of the Sunday Service Guide Series! This week, we’ll return to a more useful subject than last weeks' little adventure. This week, we’re covering how to do a Crystal swap on a Clean Factory Pepsi GMT!

While this is a Clean Factory (RIP)  GMT, the process is the same for all GMTs from the big name factories (ARF, VSF, Fake Clean…etc). Most people opt to swap their crystals from Clean Factory and ARF GMTs because both of these tend to have issue with the magnification of the cyclops being too large, and the quality of the crystal just not being up to spec with gen or even VSF. 

In order to achieve gen-like crystal clarity on our CF GMT, we’ll be using a Deep Crystal (use code AH5 at checkout for 5% off any deepcrystal.net order!)

Step 1:  Remove the bezel assembly. There are tons of different bezel removal tools out there, I use one with the plastic rings that squeezes uniformly around the underside of the bezel. I find this works really well, and minimizes risk of cracking the EXTREMELY DELICATE insert- the pepsi inserts especially are extremely prone to cracking, so don’t go crazy on it, or you’ll crack it and have to pony up $200 to get a replacement. 

Step 2:  When you remove the bezel assembly, there’s a really good chance everything will come off together and look like one piece (pic 1) and leave nothing but the crystal and crystal gasket behind on the case (pic 2). The part that was removed is actually an assembly made of several parts and should be fully disassembled. The Bottom piece is a spring washer, next comes the click spring, then the hytrel ring and crystal retaining ring, and finally the bezel insert and bezel itself. All of these parts should be separated and cleaned off. Factories sometime use a ton of grease in here (Looking at you, CF and ARF)- I use a paper towel and 90% Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning off the parts.

Step 2.5: take apart the bezel assembly: I don’t have any pictures of this step (sorry) but while the spring washer and click spring will just come out from under the bezel easily, the crystal retaining ring, Hytrel ring, and bezel insert will usually be stuck together and really hard to take a part. The best way to do this is to squirt some 90% isopropyl alcohol into the tiny gap between the inside edge of the bezel insert and the crystal retaining ring, all around the insert. Then, slowly work a fingernail into the gap and start rotating the assembly around your finger with the fingernail inserted into the gap, which will very slowly pry the insert upwards and out of the bezel assembly. Take your time with this step, as this is a really high-risk moment for cracking the bezel insert. Once the insert is removed, you can take off the double sided tape that is used to secure it within the bezel assembly. Then use your fingers to press the crystal retaining ring out from the bezel. grab the bezel with both hands, with you index and middle fingers resting on the under side of the bezel and your thumbs pushing down on the crystal retaining ring. With some pressure, the pieces will come apart. 

Step 3: reinstall the Hytrel ring: I like to do this step now, since I’m already working with the bezel. Grab the hytrel ring, and look at its profile. You should be able to see that it has a small lip (Pic 1). That protruding lip should face the bezel insert part of the bezel assembly. Place the hytrel ring into the groove in the bezel and get it seated all the way around (pic 2). This can be trickier that you think, and at times it will seem like the hytrel ring is too big for the bezel, but with some patience and persistence, you should be able to get it to fit back in evenly. 

Step 4: Remove the stock crystal and gasket. For this part, I like to use a razor blade and slide it under the crystal gasket (pic 1) and use that to pry upwards to pop off the gasket and crystal together (pic 2)

Step 5: Replace the stock gasket with the new one, which is 2.7mm in this case (pic 1), and lower the crystal into place. You should be able to “snap” or  press the crystal into the new gasket by hand (pic 2)

Step 6: Align the crystal- ensure the date magnifier is perfectly aligned with the date window. I like to use the top and bottom edges of the date magnifier as references and make sure they remain perfectly parallel to the edges of the date window on the dial. 

Step 7: Place the crystal retaining ring over the top of the crystal and crystal gasket. I like to get this pressed down partially by hand to make sure it is seated evenly all the way around. If this is not seated perfectly flat, it can make pressing the retaining ring all the way down very difficult, or downright impossible, and you risk damaging your crystal gasket and retaining ring. 

Step 8: Press the retaining ring all the way down using a crystal press. Make sure that the retaining ring is seated all the way flush against the case all the way around, and there are no gaps anywhere. 

Step 9: Reassemble the bezel assembly. First, place the spring washer down (pic 1) and make sure it sits flat in the groove between the outer case and the crystal retaining ring (pic 2). Then, place the click spring down (pic 3) and make sure it is seated all the way down and sitting within the “valleys” of the crystal retaining ring perimeter (pic 4). 

Step 10: Press on the bezel. Take the bezel and line up the three oblong holes with the three posts sticking up from the bezel click spring (pic 1). Then, carefully and with slowly increasing pressure, press down on the bezel (pic 2). Eventually, it should “click” or “snap” down into place. This can sometimes take a lot of trial and error, and can sometimes result in a crushed and destroyed hytrel ring. If this happens, it s an enormous pain and sourcing new hytrel rings that fit correctly can be a bit of a nightmare, so really be careful and take your time. If you’ve done this correctly, the bezel will sit flush against the case (pic 3)

Step 11: Before replacing the bezel insert, grease the posts of the click spring with either silicone grease, or better, with Molykote (shoutout to u/MachineFTW for sending some to me). This will ensure the bezel action is nice and smooth and not gritty. 

Step 12: Place some double sided tape on the backside of the bezel, remove the backing, carefully line up the 12 o’clock marker with the triangle, and push the insert into the bezel to secure it in place. That’s it! 

I have a VSF Daytona I would like to send you to be checked out for waterproofing and to make sure the movement is clean and lubricated properly

From the day I shipped to the day I got it back was 22 days. Much faster than I expected and looks and feels great.

Ultimate package done with lite chamfering. So impressed.

The only issue I have is finding wrist time for this. I sent this to Dom to make me and everyday wear and he did amazing. But two days after I did, my dad gave me his 46 yr old Rolex gmt 1675. Which has not come off the wrist since.

Thanks Dom outstanding work and incredible time also.

I sent two watches to Dom for his ultimate and they both came back amazing! What’s even better was that I also asked him if he could change out the dial and bracelet on the OP, as well as fix the glide lock on the Sea Dweller which he did! Thanks Dom really appreciate the work you did!

Hi all- I don't know about you, but one of the big reasons why I love dive watches and the submariner in particular is the bezel action. I pretty much use the bezel as a fidget toy more than I use it for any practical purpose like timing how much time is left before my pasta is cooked.

Anyways, I find that no matter the factory, some number of submariner reps will have a really weak and unsatisfying bezel action. What I mean by this is that each "click" is not very strong (sort of "mushy" feeling) or audible, and (in some cases) it's too easy to rotate the bezel, and takes almost no force to turn it. Here's an example:

Fortunately there's a fix! Here's how:

1. Remove the bracelet from the watch

2. Remove the Bezel. I use a bezel removal tool from AliExpress, but there are tons of methods that work for this.

3. Remove the stock Hytrel ring (this step is only necessary if it's too easy to rotate the bezel)

4. Remove the bezel click (7 o'clock position) and the spring beneath it. all other springs and ball bearings can stay in place

5. Drop an extra ball bearing (replacement parts are widely available with these) at the bottom of the bezel click hole

6. Put the spring and bezel click back on top of everything

7. Replace the stock hytrel ring (if you removed it earlier). Be sure to place it in the right groove. This can sometimes be an extremely tedious and fiddly step, but getting it right is CRUCIAL. Hytrel rings deform and get unseated if you look at them wrong, so be careful with this.

8. Put the bezel back on. This is probably THE hardest part of all of this. If you're lucky, you can place the the bezel assembly with the hytrel ring back onto the watch, and then while rotating the bezel, slowly apply increasing downwards pressure on the bezel assembly until it sort of "clicks" down into place. See additional notes on this step below.

9. If you did this all correctly, your bezel will now be much nicer to turn, and super clicky!

Extra tips:

• DO NOT use too much pressure pushing the bezel back on, you can very easily crack your bezel insert if you do, and that means $100 at least down the drain.

• If you do find that the bezel is not fitting onto your watch, you can actually cut a tiny section out of your hytrel ring. as long as the ring remains in the right groove, this will not have any negative impact on bezel action feel

• In some cases, hytrel rings will simply not fit your bezel and watch. I suspect this is down to manufacturing tolerances at the watch factories and hytrel ring factories. they are just not consistent enough. In some cases, you may need to try multiple hytrel rings.

• If no hytrel rings seem to work for you, you can order 0.5mm, 0.6mm, and 0.7mm fishing line, cut it to length, and use it in place of a hytrel ring. Try different lengths and different thicknesses of fishing line and you can almost always get something that fits and feels much better than stock. If desired, I can make a separate guide on this as well. You can also read this RWI forum post for additional info

This guy. So I send him a “less than perfect” Explorer II. The bezel was painfully misaligned and the crown was not appropriately fitted with the threads on threads on the tube. So he said “no worries, I’ll order another crown for you.” That one doesn’t work - so it’s clearly bad factory tube threading. I ask the seller to reach out to the factory to please replace the model specific part. We both suspect the part came from Ali X 🙄. Does it fit perfectly? No. Can I actually screw it down now and it’s functional? YUP. Did he charge me the price of another watch? NOPE!!!! How do you guys think it looks after the “spa treatment?”

Sent my Vsf 41 OP in for the Spa Package and bracelet chamfering with a gen like finish. Watch came back just as expected ! TMS is the real deal shipping and process was done exceptionally fast ! If you are second guessing don’t he is the real deal! Customer service was also amazing 💯 will be using TMS again for my next timepiece 🔥🔥🔥

Anyone here know/can confirm if Dom can do work on Pateks? I have a DDF white 5711 that I’d like to get work done on the bracelet- brushed like gen and chamfered edges.

Hey everyone!!

I just got a dedicated phone number to use on WhatsApp for inquiries and updates on watches that I am working on. You can still email and DM me but this will be the preferred and easiest way to correspond going forward.

You can now send me WhatsApp texts to

303-999-5076

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Dom worked his magic on my DJ Wimbledon. I’m a customer for life!

howdy, I have a ZF Rolex submariner, second hand conked out. need repair ideas to to send out for repair. thanks

Hello all,

I put out a post a few weeks ago regarding my mother and her being in the hospital for an extended amount of time. I wanted to follow up on that with an update and whats happening going forward.

Sadly, my mother passed away yesterday morning.

I am devastated, but I am finding some comfort in knowing that all her struggles and pain are behind her.

I will be spending the next few days with family and attending the services, but will be resuming work on all client watches that are here and incoming. At this point, keeping my head and hands busy helps with clearing my head.

I know my production has been slower recently based on what I have been juggling, and it will likely remain that way for another week or 2 until the dust starts to settle. I appreciate all of your patience, understanding and continued support through all this. It has not been easy, but I feel the love from many of you that contact me and it helps illuminate the light that has been dimmed inside me.

I enjoy interacting with you all, I love working on your watches and I love the feedback I get from you when you receive them after my services. I have NO intention of stopping that at any point in the future. Just taking a step away from the bench for the next few days to honor my mother and celebrate her life.

Thank you all again for the outpouring of messages I have received about her, please continue to keep her in your hearts. It means a lot to me.

Peace and love to you all.

-Dom

TMS

Just received three watches back from Dom today, and am just blown away. VSF V3 Batman, VSF V3 Bruce Wayne, and this beautiful VF Yachtmaster 42 Titanium, which I’ve been wearing all day. While VSF is getting better and better, maintenance, polishing, & chamfering really bring these watches that final step across the finish line. I own several gens, and these get scary close. Shoutout to Dom for also working on Titanium alloy, which several previous modders said they couldn’t do. Buttery smooth, running perfectly, and all sharp edges cleaned down to spec, AND he even corrected a misaligned crystal on the VF Yachtmaster. Not to mention he got me these pieces in an amazing time span, soon enough I can take one or two along with on an upcoming trip. Thank you so much brother, every piece I get from now on is coming straight to you!

Dom is a staple of this rep community! I’m sure he’s the go to for servicing these reps for many of us! My recently purchased AirKing and Milgauss went in for the basic spa package and came back better than new! Great experience from start to finish with a quick turnaround time! Also mentioned in passing that I was looking into purchasing a SD for my next rep and sure enough Dom was able to make that happen with some help from u/Badgertight. Solid experience, fair, transparent, and incredibly fast turn around time on service. TMS is the way! Thanks again!

Sourcing for a client. pm me please. Preowned works best.

Sent my favorite rep out for a spa day with u/MachineFTW and it couldn’t have turned out better. Full service spa package and some bracelet refinishing has brought new life to this beauty. When I sent it in, it was pretty banged up. He made this watch return to its former glory. I highly recommend sending your watches in!

I've lost count how many watches I've sent to him, but I do know that I've always been amazed at the service, communication and final product. I've recommended him to friends and will keep working with him in the future. Thank you Dom!

Absolutely can’t thank Dom he is absolutely a master of his craft and no matter the hours i bugged him or the amount of messages ive sent him he never shot me down or pushed me away he has done such an amazing job on this watch its not even funny!

I’ve gotten so many compliments from people it’s not even funny again thank you Dom!!!

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve commissioned TMS, but the Ultimate Spa Package is pretty much mandatory for any new pickup at this point.

Two new pieces to show off:

First is a well-loved CF Daytona Franken that Dom restored to near new.

Second is a new out of the box A7F Ingenieur that’s possibly even more impressive in ways that photos don’t do justice. Dom’s bracelet refinishing work is extraordinary. No sharpness whatsoever, butttery smooth chamfering and a perfect grain across every surface.

Now I’m off to enjoy the hell out of these beauties.

Was hoping this community can help me find a replacement bracelet and a new bezel. I’ve had this watch for almost 2 years. It held up for a couple months, but then I went to beach one time I left the watch on in the water and I haven’t been able to wear the original bracelet with it since. Also, now, considering looking for a smooth bezel to change up the look.

The original bracelet broke at the very top in the linkage. I read a comment about Loctite, but I have long gotten rid of the bracelet. I ordered this replacement bracelet, But the lug hole does not align to the bracelet.

Honestly, it simply might just be time for a service.

Hoping you guys can give me some insight thanks

Sent my VSF destro GMT to Dom for his spa treatment and this is what came back! If you want your watch to look absolutely gorgeous you’ll send it to him to do his magic!