Help removing the tension ring/ crystal in Omega front loader!

[ign03]

Hi everyone! 

I have a problem removing the tension ring and crystal in my Omega watch. It is a front loader, so the movement comes out from the front after removing the split stem and the crystal. Mark posted a video a while ago using pressurized air in a syringe to blow out the crystal in a front loader Omega Dynamic watch. My problem is that in my watch, for some weird reason, the crystal is cut (pictures below). Without a chamber to build the pressure up I can’t use his method, so now I don’t know how to remove the remaining crystal and tension ring since it’s really tight. There is also not enough crystal to grip it from the outside.

Please help me!!

 

[rodabod]

If you were careful enough, you could place a thin film of glue (2-part epoxy or cyanoacrylate) on a flat plate and then glue the rim of the crystal to it. Then lift. This crystal will have a ridge on its edge, so you may have to be slightly sudden when lifting.

[Nucejoe]

 Remainder of crystal sits in gap  between tension ring& the case, heat up a thin balde screwdriver to burn down a hole in the crystal so to pry the ring out.

Good luck

[ign03]

Thank you!! I will try with try warming up a thin screw driver. If I understood correctly, I should try to burn a hole through the outer part of the crystal in order to access the tension ring and push it out, right?

If that doesn't work I will try gluing a flat plate to the upper rim of the remaining crystall and pull when it dries. 

[JohnR725]

I don't suppose I could have the case number? Or even better the serial number found on the back of the case so I could look up something?

[Plato]

  On 2/5/2022 at 5:53 PM, ign03 said:

Thank you!! I will try with try warming up a thin screw driver. If I understood correctly, I should try to burn a hole through the outer part of the crystal in order to access the tension ring and push it out, right?

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It might be wise to take the hands off first in case you damage them.

[ign03]

  On 2/5/2022 at 5:57 PM, JohnR725 said:

I don't suppose I could have the case number? Or even better the serial number found on the back of the case so I could look up something?

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In the back of the case it’s written 135019-Tool 106. That’s the only information I can give without opening the watch!

[ign03]

  On 2/5/2022 at 6:25 PM, Plato said:

It might be wise to take the hands off first in case you damage them.

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Good point! I will take the hands out first 

[JohnR725]

I know we've had this discussion before somewhere? The reference to the tool is a clue for how to take the crystal off.

I have a link that shows the tools they are supposed to have but you'll probably never acquire

No notice also at the link below the other way to take the crystal off is with the crystal lift but there might be a problem which is exactly what you have? If somebody got carried away with the crystal lift Or if it wasn't as close to the case as it could be you do probably break the crystal basically exactly what you have now. But it looks like you do have some crystal left you may be up just grab that squeeze and then Gently try to rotate the crystal lift when it's grabbing really tight and you may a bill just pop it out but you do have to be as close to the cases you can get otherwise you end up breaking more of it off

 

http://www.old-omegas.com/tool107.html

[jdm]

  On 2/5/2022 at 8:48 PM, JohnR725 said:

I have a link that shows the tools they are supposed to have but you'll probably never acquire

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Because they are crazy expensive. I've never tried the gluing method but I have a feeling that a Seiko S-14 could work.

[ign03]

  On 2/5/2022 at 8:48 PM, JohnR725 said:

I know we've had this discussion before somewhere? The reference to the tool is a clue for how to take the crystal off.

I have a link that shows the tools they are supposed to have but you'll probably never acquire

No notice also at the link below the other way to take the crystal off is with the crystal lift but there might be a problem which is exactly what you have? If somebody got carried away with the crystal lift Or if it wasn't as close to the case as it could be you do probably break the crystal basically exactly what you have now. But it looks like you do have some crystal left you may be up just grab that squeeze and then Gently try to rotate the crystal lift when it's grabbing really tight and you may a bill just pop it out but you do have to be as close to the cases you can get otherwise you end up breaking more of it off

 

http://www.old-omegas.com/tool107.html

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I have a crystal lift and I’ve tried several times. The claws pop off as soon as it gets right. I think that there is just not enough glass to grab

[Nucejoe]

 

  On 2/5/2022 at 5:53 PM, ign03 said:

I should try to burn a hole through the outer part of the crystal in order to access the tension ring and push it out, right?

Expand  

Right. 

Any approach with no risk of damage to the dial is good. 

Slippage usually  happens when we apply force , burning a hole is to do without any forcing. 

Someone might have glued the crystal on, as result tension ring might also have received some glue. tension ring is made of polymer, so if it comes to it, I would forget about saving the tension ring and remove it in pieces, save the dial.