Advice on ordering new glass for bezel (Smiths mantel clock)

[Rixy]

I am working on a small Smiths mantel clock and when it arrived the glass was broken (I'm not returning it because it came from the British Heart Foundation). It looks quite straightforward as there is a circular clip to hold it in place. The glass had shattered so it was impossible to reassemble for the measurements. When I measured the inside rim diameter of the chrome bezel it is 118.3mm. Cousins have 116mm and 119mm. Does anyone have any advice on ordering new glass?

[watchweasol]

Hi Roxy. There are companies  on the net and eBay who will cut the glass to size, a bit more expensive the

an off the shelf though.  Could try A.G.Thomas  Bradford or Gleave and co.    Meadows and Passmore were. Good source but I think they only supply the trade now, might be worth looking though.   

[oldhippy]

That glass is to small, the inside ring only holds the glass in, if you had the small glass with your fingers you would be able to move it about even with that ring inside the bezel. You best bet is the advice watchweasol has said get one cut to size, if you have a glazier  near you how about trying there. 

[watchweasol]

Hi  just a thought, if you have the old glass what I have done in the past is to assemble the pieces with tape then measure the old size.  As Old Hippy said they are usually smaller than the bezel and the inner ring clips it in.  

[Rixy]

Thanks OH and WW. I have a good glazier near me - I'll ask there. Unfortunately the original glass is in so many pieces it would be impossible to put it together to measure. I have told the British Heart Foundation to raise this with the courier and to take greater care with packing in future. It wasn't very expensive but that's not the point.

[Dell]

I have a smiths bezel including glass I will measure it tomorrow if it’s correct size you can have it for postage cost.

Dell

[Rixy]

Thanks. That's very kind.

[Dell]

15 hours ago, Rixy said:

Thanks. That's very kind.

Morning Rixy

not sure if the bezel is going to be any good for you because you said your glass was held in by spring clip this one has a plate screwed on but it measures 160mm and here are a couple of pictures 

Dell

[Rixy]

Thanks for looking, Dell. Unfortunately, it's too big (mine has a diameter of 118mm).

Best wishes.

[watchweasol]

Hi.  They sure did a job on the glass a right mess. A glazier might only be able to supply flat glass which is a bit of a pest.

[Rixy]

Hi WW. Flat glass would be a pest, you're right, it would not shut because of the hands. If I were to order a new convex glass from a supplier, is it a good idea to go for the closest to the inner diameter of the inside rim (photo 3) or to measure the outside rim and adjust by subtracting a couple of mm? If the latter, it would be too big to slot in but I have read that by heating the bezel it will expand enough to slot it in.

[Dell]

Try this company 

https://glassrepairslondon.co.uk/horological-glass-replacement/

[Marc]

@Rixy towards the end of last year I acquired the remnants of a watch/clock makers estate which included a reasonable stock (upwards of 50 or so) convex clock glasses of a variety of sizes. If you let me know what size you actually need I can go and have a rummage in the shed and see if I can find something for you.

I won't go into detail about what else there was other than to say that I now have over 60 clocks in my shed and I can't actually get in there to do anything.

This is what I brought back, unloaded into the living room prior to sorting and relocating to more appropriate places.

Any way, let me know what size you're after.

[Rixy]

Hi Marc. That's quite a collection you have there! I think the diameter is 121mm. This is the metric equivalent of 4¾ inches which seems like a standard size. That would fit snugly inside the bezel and I am sure I could manipulate it in if the metal was heated first to expand it.

If you have one in your collection I would be very grateful. 

Dell, thank you for the link to the glass repair company. 

[Marc]

@Rixy leave it with me and I'll see what I can find.

[Marc]

@Rixy let me know if the attached is any use. It is domed although that doesn't show up very well in the pic. Also what appear to be scratches are in the cutting mat underneath, the glass is actually pretty clean.

If will do the job then pm me with your address and I will try and get it in the post at the weekend.

 

[oldhippy]

Reading this makes me feel how lucky I was when  I started it was so well stocked with spares both in clock and watch all I had to do was go through our stock and find one.   It must be very hard these days when stock is poor or in some cases non existent. Well done Marc for helping out I'm sure Rixy will be well pleased

Edited January 10, 2024 by oldhippy

[Rixy]

That is great news - thank you so much, Marc. I have sent you a pm (hopefully it worked- have never sent one before).

[Marc]

1 hour ago, Rixy said:

I have sent you a pm

pm received, will sort out some packaging and hopefully post this weekend.

[Rixy]

The glass from Marc arrived today. I removed the bezel from the case (it was just pinned), heated up the metal rim (till too hot to handle) and managed to manipulate the glass in. Well chuffed. Thanks!

[Marc]

That looks really tidy. Nice job.

[oldhippy]

Well done both.