Tension Ring Crystal Nuance

[RickTock]

Hi folks,

I'm hunting down a crystal for an old watch I'm learning from while bringing back to life. It's a manual wind Caravelle from the mid-70s. The acrylic crystal is cracked, so I removed it and see it is equipped with a tension ring (lesson number one for me, as I had not seen crystals with tension rings before). So, I did some measuring and research and see that there are perhaps four varieties of tension-ring-equipped domed acrylic crystals that might be what I need. For the life of me though, I can't figure out which one is for me (or perhaps any of them will work?).

Narrowing crystal manufacturer down to just Sternkreuz, I see the following four options (all in the diameter I need):

Unfortunately, I can't seem to find specifications (beyond diameter) for any of them (including the Sternkreuz catalogue). Any advice on when you would use one versus another would be most appreciated.

For reference, measurements of the old crystal and case follow. I think I should order 30.1mm once I settle on the type (leaning toward the High Dome). Thanks for your help!

 

 

 

 

[GuyMontag]

You may be able to source a NOS Caravelle crystal. Do you have the number on the inside of the caseback?

[RickTock]

Ha! Lesson number two! Didn't know there's a number inside the caseback. Thank you!

The number is 9287.

[GuyMontag]

The Accutron Bullova Caravelle case parts catalog doesn't seem to have that number listed, it could be the watch was released after the last catalog was printed (1979).

[RickTock]

Thanks for looking!

[RickTock]

Here's an update in case anyone else is mystified by the array of crystal options out there.

I ended up ordering two crystals from Cousins. The Standard and the High Dome. Standard was closest to the OEM crystal in look/shape/height (although just a tiny bit lower) and High Dome was three or four tenths of a millimetre higher.

I installed the High Dome along with a new leather strap. I'll wear the watch for a few days to see how it performs before the movement goes into my servicing queue. Some related photos:

And a before / after comparison of the watch:

[LittleWatchShop]

Nice.  For these situations, I always order several crystals and choose the best fit.

[GuyMontag]

Nice looking Caravelle. I dig that orange stitching on the strap to compliment the orange second hand.