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This is the horotec watch case back press -- It's the micro press with the reference
msa 07.110 It's a professional tool that makes it easy
for watch makers or watch collectors to replace snap on watch case backs with less risk of
damage than certain other methods or perhaps machines.
It comes with 3 reversible top dies and 3 interchangeable lower dies made from delrin.
Delirin looks and feels a little like other plastics but is an engineering thermoplastic
used for precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction and excellent dimensional stability.
Which although makes the dies harder and more durable under pressure than normal plastic,
retains the non-making and non-burnishing characteristics of other plastics preferred
over metal dies and so are less likely to damage a watch by marking it.
You use the press with watch dial & glass down so you can see exactly when the back
snaps on. So the first thing to do when using it is select one of the lower dies that will
best support the watch case allowing you to apply pressure without any pressure being
applied to parts that could be damaged such as the glass, crystal or button. The lower
dies are both slightly tapered and recessed in the centre. The slight taper serves two
purposes, it makes it more likely that the watch is sitting on its bezel or case than
its crystal or glass but it also makes it self-centring making alignment of the upper
dies with the case back effortless and ensuring evenly distributed pressure will be applied
between the two. You select an upper die that will apply pressure
to the outer edge of the back, if you use dies too small and only applying pressure
to the centre you risk concaving them rather than snapping them on.
Pressure is applied by simply turning the handle, the tool is treaded so you have fine
control over the dies up & down movement. The tool itself is so simple to use.
There are things you need to do to ensure the back goes on correctly like line up any
recess in the back with the stem. Which this style of tool make effortless as you can apply
just enough pressure to hold the back firmly in place in the position you intend to fit
it and then before applying more pressure to snap it on you can move it, you can rotate
it you can even pick it up to inspect your positioning and that the alignment hasn't
moved when first applying pressure and levelling the back with the case. And you can do the
same for any gaskets present make sure they haven't moved or got caught in a position
they shouldn't or you didn't intend. There are many lever type presses available
we have an old one we use here. The fundamental difference between the two styles is the way
pressure is applied, you are either screwing it down or levering it down.
In my opinion the levers style tools are better for fitting glasses and crystals and the treaded
tools are better for snap backs. There are so many styles of watch and case there is
always the odd exception but generally speaking we use the threaded type for fitting snap
backs and lever type for fitting glasses. The first reason for this is by the very nature
of snap backs they often require a fair amount of pressure applied to them and then just
snap on, but when they snap into position there is a risk with the lever style that
the sudden movement will make you jerk or lunge down with increased pressure at the
very moment you can and should remove the applied pressure. Now I've often used them
for fitting backs there is no doubt they work but there is more risk that under certain
circumstance they will be less forgiving than the screw down type and you will very likely
break a glass or worse damage a case or back. But I much prefer to use a lever type press
to fit glasses, you get much more feedback through the handle than with the screw type
which I find important with glasses but not backs, with the lever type you can feel the
glass sliding in , you get a much better sense of the pressure and friction. I get a better
sense of weather I have selected the correct size glass and a better sense of when it's
in the case as far as it can go which I don't get with the screw down type.
So my general advice would be for fitting backs screw down type press but for fitting
glasses lever style press, but as I said earlier you will no doubt find exceptions. Comments
are enabled so if you have or you simply disagree let everyone know and start a discussion in
the comments below. These are Swiss made tools and yes they cost
more than Asian or Indian manufactured versions or copies. But they are better quality which
is a difficult thing to quantify in percentage terms unlike their cost as both are fit for
purpose, because they cost 3, 5 or 10 times more they are not necessarily 3,5 or 10 times
better but they are better. The ironic thing as with most tools is hobbyists, amateur and
beginners who say they cannot justify the price are probably the most likely to benefit
from the increased quality and the confidence that comes with it, where as highly experienced
professionals would easily get by with cheap rubbish tools but obviously choose not to.