10/30/2017 Nicholas Hacko Watchmaker DIY Seiko 7S26 Sydney

NICHOLAS HACKO - FINE WATCHES

Master Watchmaker, Clockmaker and Jeweller (since 1981)

nick@clockmaker.com.au

Suite 403, Level 4, Culwulla Chambers

67 Castlereagh St. Sydney 2000 NSW Australia

Phone: (02) 9232 0500 Fax: 02 9233 2273

Do It Yourself Project: Seiko 7S26 for Novice Horologists

Chapter 7: Disassembly of the Time Display Unit

Now that we got our movement out of the case, we are ready for more serious disassembly. To
refresh your memory: a 7S26 movement consists of 5 major units. In this chapter we will cover
disassembly of the time display unit.

The time display (TD) unit consist of the following components:

- dial and hands

- day and date dial disks
- day and date quick setting wheels
- hour and minute wheels and cannon pinion
- driving wheels for date dial
- dial holding spacer, plates and screws

For more details and part numbers, refer to Parts Catalogue, page 2 position 1-15. Since dial and
hands are not movement-related components, they are not listed in the movement parts
catalogue.

NOTE: most components in the TD unit are made of plastic. Plastic is not a traditional
"watchmaking" material but like many other manufacturers of mass produced watches, Seiko
has opted for plastic components due to lower production costs and lower maintenance
requirements. Unlike metal wheels, plastic wheels require no lubrication. Unfortunately plastic
wheels are easily damaged and destroyed when handled inappropriately. Also they are far less
forgiving when they are not placed correctly - even a relatively small amount of force can cause
permanent damage if the wheels are not free to rotate, bent or misplaced. Failing to follow
disassembly instructions will result in permanent damage.

The first step in disassembly is removal of the hands and dial.

Tools: hands removal tool, tweezers, screwdriver size 80.

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Hands removal tool is a simple yet essential tool which is correct for hands removal.

The core of the tool are two specially shaped levers. When springs are squeezed together, the
levers are pushed against the dial upwards and the friction-fit hand is removed from its wheel.

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Hands removal procedure:

With the mechanism placed in the movement holder, set the time so that the hour, minute and
sweep seconds hand are "over each other," like in the photo.

In order to protect the dial from scratching (when in contact with the hands removal tool) make
a paper dial protector as per photo.

The next step is crucial: place the levers of the hands removal tool UNDER THE HOUR HAND.

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Note: the common mistake is to place the levers between the hands - for example, one lever
underneath the hour hand and other between minute and second hand. Such placement is
INCORECT and will result in damage! With the squeeze of springs, all 3 hands will be lifted at the
same time. Another tip: make sure that tool is positioned vertically (not under an angle).

Note: once the tool springs are squeezed and hands are removed, DO NOT RELEASE PRESSURE!
If you do, the hands will most likely fly away never to be found. The proper action is: squeeze-
remove hands-keep the tool squeezed-bring it down to the bench surface-release the pressure.

The photo below shows the moment after removal, while the squeeze is still maintained.

Hands removed! Remeber not to touch the dial! Fingeprints are very difficult to clean off the
shiny dial surface!

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Next step is to detach the dial from it's holding spacer. The dial has two feet which are pushed
into the spacer. To lift the dial, place tweezers in cutout underneath 3 o'clock position and rise
the dial very gently for approx 5mm.

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Rotate 180 degrees and again, unsing tweezers as lever, lift the other of the dial.

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Place dial in a small paper bag and store away.

Next step is removal of the Day star with dial disk (day dial). It sits on top of hour wheel and it is
secured in place with a "snap".

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Snap is really a C-clip which slots into the hour wheel. With tweezers, align the cutout in snap
with the stem as per picture.

To remove snap: place screwdriver underneath the snap EXACTLY 90 degrees from the cutout
and twist very gently. Be careful! You need to position the screwdriver in a cutout which is
located on the bottom of the snap. See photos below for enlarged shot of the snap. BEWARE: do
not push or pull the snap. Any attempt to remove it in any other position than shown in the
photo will result in damage to the very thin day dial. The snap must remain in shape, if bent it
will not hold the day disk properly or it will not provide clearance for free rotation. However when
removed as described, it will remain in perfect shape.

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Here is another shot of the snap, showing the cutout to accept the screwdriver.

Remove the dial disk.

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Remove intermediate wheel for day correction. This wheel is held in place by the day disk so you
can just lift it up form it's arbour. NOTE: this odd-shaped plastic wheel is very fragile, try to
avoid touching the tooth!

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We are now going to remove another layer of wheels which are held in place by the date
indicator maintaining plate (for shor: date plate). The date plate is held secured in position with
4 screws (3x A type and 1x B type). First we will unscrew one B type screw, part number 0016
705. It is a phillips head screw. (Another unorthodox component!). To be able to remove this
screw, we would have to make a tool - a "halh phillips head screwdriver". :-)

Place a sheet of medium coarse (400 or 600 grade) sand paper on to a flat surface and shape
the blade of your smallest size screwdriver (40 or 60 / 0.40 or 0.60mm) as per photo.

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Previous Chapter | Home | Next Chapter

Mailing list: SEIKO 7S26 DIY Mailing list home page

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To join please click above link or send a blank e-mail to 7S26-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

The mailing list will serve to allow better communication between 'students' and allow the
rest to follow the progress of our project. The group is not moderated so please focus
posts on topics related to the DIY project: assembly tips, general observations, help
requests, tools and parts exchange, project photos and DIY comments.

There is only ONE RULE: please sign all posts with your full name and location :-)

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