Questions on cleaning on an Arnie H558

[dapellegrini]

This is my first H558, and seems like a pretty cool watch that I would actually wear, despite the size on my small wrist.  I've taken it apart to clean things up and have a few questions:

1) The shroud is cracked / broken.  Still usable, but is there a "preferred" replacement shroud source?
2) The bezel has a hardened black plastic gasket in it (instead of a spring), is that normal?  
3) Their is a little ball bearing on the case, which seems to spin freely.  any concerns cleaning this in a U/S?  Hand wash only?

Finally, I will be doing some more googling, but does anyone have a quick link to a Tech guide for this watch, and/or a good tear down / rebuild thread?  I'm not looking to fuss with the module, just want to clean up the watch case and get the bezel working correctly

[dapellegrini]

Some time ago there were some nice metal replacement shrouds, those look to be gone now.  I think this is the consensus plastic version perhaps:

www.ebay.com/itm/292665695103

As for the bezel, I've figured out how it is supposed to work.  I think I just need a "juicier" or thicker / newer gasket in there to firm it up and hold it down against the click ball a little tighter.

I would love to find a NOS crystal, but those look hard to come by as well.  

It came on what must be the original bracelet, which is way too old / hard to wear, so I've just ordered a few replacement options from Amazon.  

EDIT:
 - OEM Crystal inbound, $60
 - New Bezel gasket inbound, $10
 - New Aftermarket Shroud inbound, $60
 - 4x new bracelet options @ 22mm, don't ask

these things have a why of adding up

[HiBeat]

You seem to have answered your own questions.   I had an orange OG Arnie that I sold away but I did the whole tear down for cleaning and new crystal and it was quite straightforward.

Be careful not to let the small ball bearing click ball fall out.

[dapellegrini]

Ya, I'm sorting through it.

The crown release seemed obvious but took more of a "push" than I would have guessed.  I am not sure there is a gasket in my crown - it is a deep thing...

Thanks for the comment about the ballbearing.  It seems to be well attached, but I opted to skip the U/S for clean-up just incase.

I'd love to source one of the aftermarket shrouds in aluminium or Black coated Steel... I think those are circa 2019 or 2020 and no longer find able.

[HiBeat]

There is a plastic aftermarket up on YJ! now.    It's a BIN so I can post the link

buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/w1108370421?conversionType=service_page_search

[dapellegrini]

Thanks I bought the one in my ebay link above.  Around the same cost, without buyee shipping afterward...  The current bezel can still be fitted, so I will decide once I have the AM if it is good enough, or if I prefer the original.

[tritto]

I believe yobokies does an AM shroud in either stainless or black pvd. Let us know how the AM shroud goes - I need one but the options seem to have dried up and prices have gone way up.

[dapellegrini]

Thanks tritto - that's what I was looking for!  What's the deal with Yobokies?  Are they out of China?  Any general feedback on quality etc?

[tritto]

Nov 16, 2023 8:17:54 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

Thanks tritto - that's what I was looking for!  What's the deal with Yobokies?  Are they out of China?  Any general feedback on quality etc?

If I remember rightly, they may be out of Hong Kong, but everything is made in China these days.
I've only bought one thing from Harold and that was years ago - a domed sapphire for my first 6309. The quality was good.

[69ChevelleSS]

Nov 16, 2023 8:17:54 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

Thanks tritto - that's what I was looking for!  What's the deal with Yobokies?  Are they out of China?  Any general feedback on quality etc?

Yobokies (Seikoboy) is good to deal with.  I bought a SS shroud for my SRP227 and it is quite good.  It did require a bit of trimming with the Dremel but not a big deal.  I would not hesitate to deal with him again!

[dapellegrini]

Thx all - I ended up ordering a black and stainless shroud from Yobokies.... so now I need two more H558's :/

Perhaps a -5009 and a -500A

Ah, these slippery slopes I find myself on...

[dapellegrini]

Night time wristshot with my new favorite strap, a camo silicone affair....

The iphone makes the LCD look weird, because the photos is a long exposure type....



Here's the strap:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B57NV4J8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

did I mention, I LOVE Camo straps?

[ouroboros]

Good work dapellegrini. I was about to comment on the crystal change tripping you up but you appear to have come out unscathed.

The little separator strip/bar on the chapter ring, the one that sits between the digital display and the analog, is quite delicate and at most times brittle. I had the misfortune of cracking one on a H556 Baby Arnie a couple of years ago when replacing the crystal.

The little ball bearing thing is the bezel clicker. I've put H556s, H558s, 6309 and 7002 divers in an US cleaner. Only time it came out was on the 7002. After the US, I usually put the case in water facing up and give the ball a couple of pumps so as to release the gunk that might be trapped in the chamber.

On the shroud, I've only had to source it once for a H558. I didn't like the gloss on it and so took an 800 (IIRC) grit sandpaper and rubbed it around. The plastic was not stiff but care is needed not to break it in the process. Don't forget to transfer the little shims that hold the screws. AM shrouds apparently don't need these but I transferred it anyway.

[dapellegrini]

Thx ouroboros

I used a suction cup and straight/strong upward tug to get the crystal off without risking the dial and inner parts.

I am now really enjoying it with original crystal and shroud and might just leave it as is for the time being.

[pip]

Nov 16, 2023 18:40:07 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

Thx ouroboros

I used a suction cup and straight/strong upward tug to get the crystal off without risking the dial and inner parts.

I am now really enjoying it with original crystal and shroud and might just leave it as is for the time being.

Good job as I really struggle to get these crystals out without breaking everything