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Crystal Press


pcuk

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Hi,

I'm a newby, so please be gentle!  I have an early Accutron into which I need to fit a new crystal.  I have a NOS crystal.  I understand the principle of fitting a tension ring crystal with a press, but need to make a die to fit the crystal.  Does anyone know (or can estimate) the optimum internal angle of the top die please?

Secondly, on a slightly different subject, I have seen on this site discussions about recessed crystals and non-recessed crystal, but from what has been said I still don't really understand the difference.  Could someone enlighten me further please?

Thanks in anticipation. 

pcuk

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1 hour ago, Alaskamick said:

This style is not used with a crystal that has a tension ring. I guarantee you will break the crystal with it.

You need to use a press.

Yep, this is true. Acrylic crystals WITHOUT a tension ring can be used with the claw tool. The ones WITH a tension ring will need a press.

It won't damage the crystal as it's basically a press fit crystal.

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13 hours ago, transporter said:

 or is the fit so tight on tolerances that it doesn't require a gasket?

 

That's right, you'll find plenty of non tension ring acrylics without gaskets as well, but the tension ring was designed in order to make a better, tighter seal between case and crystal.

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Hi 

Thanks for all of the responses.  I'm glad we clarified the difference  usage of a claw tool and a crystal press, but I never really had an answer to my request for information on the internal angle of the top die.  I need to make a die with the correct internal angle to press the new crystal into the watch case. 

Thanks

pcuk

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On 9/29/2017 at 6:38 PM, pcuk said:

Does anyone know (or can estimate) the optimum internal angle of the top die please?

I think you're worrying too much. A convex die of the right size will work just fine. 

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I'm having problems trying to fit an acrylic tension ring glass to an Omega.

It's 'Omega Generic Acrylic' from Cousins - the same diameter as the 'proper' part, 31.6 mm 

I don't want to press too hard and damage the case, but it just won't go all the way in.

Any suggestions - maybe chill the glass in the freezer ?

 

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Mike,

Your idea of chilling the glass may be worth a try, but in the refridgerator, not the freezer. I think the freezer may crack the glass, so try the fridge overnight. I did have success using this method once when a watch glass was not quite seated, and chilling it did the trick. Good luck.

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On 10/7/2017 at 6:51 PM, mikepilk said:

With my attempts the metal ring fell out. It's easy to fit without the ring, and it looks OK.

As I don't need to make the watch waterproof, I may just use it without the ring.

They can sometimes need quite a bit of pressure , i have broken an original Omega one in the past though (costly mistake) :huh:

Could you try using the original tension ring ? if it fits without the new tension ring could be worth trying the old one

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