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Replacing a watch crystal lens

clockboy
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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

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I have been asked to service a watch and if possible I was asked if I could change the badly damaged crystal. The movement is a cheap pin lever movement but the challenge was the crystal. The crystal had a lens attached to it’s inside & also a chapter ring fitted to its inside. 

I think there was a similar post last week with one of these. To remove the chapter ring from the old crystal I just pushed the crystal down from its centre using a Robur glass press to open it & chapter ring came away.

 

I could not purchase the correct size replacement crystal with the correct size lens. The old crystal was a high dome 320mm diameter. However despite my best efforts I could not press the chapter ring into a new 320mm diameter crystal so I fitted a 322mm crystal with the chapter seated inside.

However when pressed into the watch the chapter ring tightened. The lens was fitted with Seiko two part clear glue. I marked the inside of the glass to aid it’s position. I also fitted the lens to the outside which the customer was happy with. See pics.

I will do a separate post re- the pin lever movement assembly etc.

 

OLD CRYTAL + CHAPTER RING

DSC_6853.JPG

 

Pressing in the new Crystal + chapter ring

IMG_1058.jpg

 

Crystal marked ready for lens

 

IMG_1059.jpg

 

New lens fitted job done

IMG_1061.jpg

 

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oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

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Posted

That's a good one clockboy, Robur glass press is a very good tool, individual magnify windows are really good and a God send. 320 high dome in my time was a popular size, but there no good holding a tension ring in place, they lack the inside ridge to hold the thing. I'm surprised others haven't made comments on this after all many on here are always asking about watch glass fitting and how to over come problems.    

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