Hi all-
I'm trying to fix up a 72B in a 722-946, and it arrived to me with a broken winding stem. My research/other posts here have shown this is basically unobtainable to replace, but I had a few questions:
1- Can the 70-72 stem be installed in the 72b? I know the only difference is quick-set-date, but it would presumably be acceptable to be missing that.
2- Barring that, does anyone know the differences/can show a picture of the differences between the two? I guess I could always pick up a lathe and try to modify it if it isn't horribly different.
Thank you in advance!
All I can offer is that the parts catalog shows the same stem, 401, for all 7x and 8x calbers. Can anyone else offer anything on this?
Not the same stem at all, completely different shape. Being a different stem shape also means the winding pinion and sliding gear have different hole sizes as well. Long story short, use only the correct stem.
Thanks UV! I did not think so and was surprised the parts catalog said that.
Quote from: Ultra-Vintage on August 20, 2026, 12:56:15 PMNot the same stem at all, completely different shape. Being a different stem shape also means the winding pinion and sliding gear have different hole sizes as well. Long story short, use only the correct stem.
I realized I have a 70-72 as well in my 'TODO' pile (though its missing a bezel, so it might never get to 'do'), and pulled its stem.
They ARE quite similar it appears? OR is one of these the 'wrong' one? I was really just hoping I could use the 70-72 and just lose quick-set date or something :D
Oh, top one that isn't broken is the 70-72 out of a 722-916 missing a bezel. The 72b is out of a 722-946 in need of a service.
Quote from: ErichKeane on August 21, 2026, 09:24:48 AMOh, top one that isn't broken is the 70-72 out of a 722-916 missing a bezel. The 72b is out of a 722-946 in need of a service.
Probably you misinterpreted these two? What I see is the top stem is 72B and lower one is definitely 70-72.
Show us both movements in question.
Sorry for the delay, but I appreciate your help so far!
The 72B I have disassembled at the moment, but HERE are the pictures of the Zodiac that showed up with an in-tact stem, a 722-916. You can see it is marked 70-72.
And HERE is the 72B that has a broken stem. As I mentioned, it is torn down. The rotor says 72B, and it is a 722-946. It arrived to me seemingly functional, but with a stem that 'didn't work' at all, which was because it was broken.
Looks like the parts came from different watches. Ref number 722 946 indicates NO quick set date (i.e. 70-72 should be inside). If you flip the movement over we can see if it is designated for quick set feature. Probably somebody just replaced the rotor.
Does this show what you need? It looks like there is a quickset mechanism with the arm at the bottom? Or am I missing something? I haven't taken the 70-72 apart yet, so I don't really know.
Yes, it is 72B
Ok, great! And you think the stem I have that ISN'T broken actually goes to this movement? That could make my life a lot easier :)
Could you share how you can tell? Do you perhaps have a picture that shows the differences clearly between the stems?
So I cleaned/assembled the dial side with that stem out of the 70-72, and I don't believe that is going to work right? I THINK I see how the quickset is supposed to work (A push against the spring on with the tail next to the barrel, rotates the setting lever further counter-clockwise until it pushes on the long-bar), but the shoulder on the stem seems to be stopping it from pushing into the winding gear on the stem.
Interestingly, I tried the 'other' one as well, and I don't seem to be able to get it to work either, so I wonder if I have just 2 'wrong' stems?
That said, the one out of the 70-72 seems to work 'correctly' for everything but quick-set...
Do you happen to have any photos of a 72B stem that you could show me? I searched the forum and can't see any photos (they all seem to have been deleted).
Here is ended eBay listing for this exact part
https://www.ebay.com/itm/178243950317
Oh! I see, thank you! Yeah, mine both have the 'slanted' part next to the winding gear, so I suspect I just have 2 70-72 stems then. Perhaps one is an 'aftermarket' or something so it is slightly different.
Ok, thank you so much for your patience!