Sounds like you have a good system, it would be a shame to scratch a Beloved Monaco unnecessarily. I opened mine a few times via the Lego method, it worked pretty well but I was very nervous as I had never opened a Monaco before and was aware of the gasket goop issue so I did not know what to expect or if I would cause more of an issue. Since my 1133G it has been serviced I prefer to leave it alone, I am not as brave as you other fellow Heuer Monaco Enthusiasts and I appreciate your pictures posted

Jon

: I have at least a dozen hard back books and several watch boxes
: that allow the required edge to facilitate opening...

: There needs to be some give in what you use and some padding to
: save the case from being scratched, also when snapping back into
: place you need to again have some give, normally an inch layer
: of foam does the job well, to avoid causing some damage to the
: crystal or the old dry flakey lume...

: Cheers

: Rich