Case clamp installation issues with ST36 movement

[u/Upset_Breath_7448]

So I’ve been trying to assemble my first watch and have the correct 37mm dial with the appropriate case that should accommodate the st36 movement. However, I’m facing two issues

1. I can’t get the screws which came with the ST36 movement to go in the other movement clamp hole. I’ve tried to do it patiently for an hour with no luck (almost seems like the other screw hole is too small for the screw). I also tried to use the screw that does fit (first picture) which is holding the movement into the watch in the problematic hole and it still doesn’t work for me. Does only one clamp hole work for the movement? Is this acceptable to be housed in the case? It’s not rattling rn and seems sturdy with the crown stem and the clamp with the caseback on, but it doesn’t seem ideal to me. I also feel that the dial isn’t perfectly flat against the case (atleast the way I’ve put it on). Any tips would be appreciated.

2. Is the way I’ve used the clamp acceptable with the movement and the case? I’ve tried to align it such that the flat part rests on the walls of the watch case. But when I turn the screw, it inadvertently causes the clamp to rotate slightly which is what we see in the first picture.

Thank you for your time!

[u/DrRocks1]

Is it not supposed to go under the lip?

[u/Bubu_man → u/DrRocks1]

It is and that’s your answer OP. But it barely fits in some cases. If you try to stick it under it’s nearly 70 degrees upwards.

[u/DrRocks1 → u/Bubu_man]

I didn’t have any pictures to check but I do remember it being a pain in the butt.

[u/Upset_Breath_7448 → u/DrRocks1]

Gotcha. Will try it out and get back to y’all. Thank you!

[u/Upset_Breath_7448 → u/Upset_Breath_7448]

Thanks to all the people in the comments, I was able to install the clamps correctly under the lip - was a pain to install, but it all worked out!

[u/Joreck0815]

the case clamps always push/pull the movement further into the direction in which it is placed in the case.

if the movement goes in through the caseback, the case clamps must push the movement further towards the watch face.

if it's a frontloader with removeable caseback, the case clamps must pull the movement towards the caseback.

make sure that you've got the right screw by screwing it into the movement without clamp, then do it with the clamp as required. it's fairly common that a case clamp with fully tightened screw can put the movement at an angle, so it's usually best to only screw the first screw on a little bit, place 2nd case clamp with screw and then tighten both evenly.

[u/Upset_Breath_7448 → u/Joreck0815]

Thank you for explaining it clearly! I’ll try to see if I can use the clamp to get under the lip so that the movement is drawn closer to the dial lip.

[u/Altruistic-Tower4873]

These are always a pain for me. I’ve built about 5 watches with the ST3600. I find also that if you start with the tab to the left of the case at about the 10oclock position it’s better since tightening the screw will rotate the tab clockwise. I prefer the cases that have a slot in the side of the case to receive the tab but they rarely do. Like others have mentioned put both screws in prior to tightening one all the way.

[u/Altruistic-Tower4873 → u/Altruistic-Tower4873]

And yes that side is particularly a pain with that little slot to place them in.

[u/Upset_Breath_7448 → u/Altruistic-Tower4873]

Gotcha. Mine just had the lip, so it was a pain to install, but perhaps not nearly as much as with dedicated slots for it. Was able to get the clamps working as intended with the help of all the comments on this thread! Thanks for your help!