Seiko 6139 crystal replacement

[Johnnie]

Hi, I have a Seiko 6139 and wish to replace the crystal. Having never replaced the crystal on any watch before I think it would be wise to take the advice of a forum member who has done this job before. Any advice would be more than gratefully received. Johnnie

[ro63rto]

I suppose It depends on the case number....

[jdm]

  On 12/16/2017 at 4:14 PM, Johnnie said:

Any advice would be more than gratefully received.

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Check this video by forum's admin Mark Lovick. Also, in most cases scratches can be polished using diamond paste, without removing the crystal.

 

[Johnnie]

Hi Jdm, the scratches are deep and I don't feel they would polish out. Thanks for the "how to video" regards Johnnie

[jdm]

  On 12/16/2017 at 7:18 PM, Johnnie said:

Hi Jdm, the scratches are deep and I don't feel they would polish out.

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Also deep scratches can be polished. For these one would start with 400 grit wet paper on a rotary tool. If you haven't done it before, you can't know how effective a given technique is, when properly done.

[Johnnie]

Hi Ro63rto, it's 6139-6009 it's a bit battered as per photo. Regards Johnnie

[Johnnie]

Hi Jdm, I have posted a photo in my reply to Ro63rto. What do you think??? 

[jdm]

  On 12/16/2017 at 8:15 PM, Johnnie said:

Hi Jdm, I have posted a photo in my reply to Ro63rto. What do you think??? 

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Light scratches, easy to polish. The bezel is probably impossible to find original. The rest seems good enough.
I would worry more about repairing the movement, give it to a specialist, do not try yourself.

[ro63rto]

  On 12/16/2017 at 8:13 PM, Johnnie said:

Hi Ro63rto, it's 6139-6009 it's a bit battered as per photo. Regards Johnnie

This is the instructions in the casing guide

F2

[Johnnie]

Jdm, I do intend to sort this watch myself, just not right now, more experience and knowledge required. Regards Johnnie

[Johnnie]

Ro63rto, many thanks for diagram, a picture says a thousand words. Thanks again. Johnnie

[rogart63]

You need to remove the bezel. That is pretty easy. There is a little slot up around the 12 . Where the red meets the blue. Lift the bezel and the crystal poops out. There is the crystal and then the gasket.  A  spacer and a wavy ring . Then the inner bezel. You need to find the correct crystal. Which is a 330W18GN00. kleinwatches has some nice AM crystal that looks like the original. Don't go for a cheap crystal. They are often to low and would catch the chronograph hand. 

 

Edited December 17, 2017 by rogart63

[Johnnie]

  On 12/17/2017 at 11:02 AM, rogart63 said:

You need to remove the bezel. That is pretty easy. There is a little slot up around the 12 . Where the red meets the blue. Lift the bezel and the crystal poops out. There is the crystal and then the gasket.  A  spacer and a wavy ring . Then the inner bezel. You need to find the correct crystal. Which is a 330W18GN00. kleinwatches has some nice AM crystal that looks like the original. Don't go for a cheap crystal. They are often to low and would catch the chronograph hand. 

 

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Hi Rogart and thank you, with that explanation I will be able to change the crystal! I have looked around and "think" ??? That the right crystal will be in the region of £40.00 ? Will try and get a proper Seiko replacement if that's possible. 

[rogart63]

  On 12/17/2017 at 12:23 PM, Johnnie said:

Hi Rogart and thank you, with that explanation I will be able to change the crystal! I have looked around and "think" ??? That the right crystal will be in the region of £40.00 ? Will try and get a proper Seiko replacement if that's possible. 

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I think you will have to pay more to get a original Seiko crystal i am afraid.  They are as rare as dinosaurs in Sweden. 

[ro63rto]

Jules Borel lists the SternKreuz XMD 330.821 as a replacement.



Cousins does them for £22.95 plus vat and are in stock.

[jdm]

  On 12/17/2017 at 12:59 PM, ro63rto said:

Jules Borel lists the SternKreuz XMD 330.821 as a replacement.

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I would be cautious using these:

The 330.821 IS a Sternkreuz crystal but it is slightly over-sized in both diameter and height. Several fellows have had issues trying to fit this into some watches.
Seiko's EC3340B04 gasket DOES NOT interchange with the long D/Cd EC3260B04. Trust me, I tried this years ago, prior to discovering the huge amount of incorrect info on Borel's pages.

http://www.thewatchsite.com/21-japanese-watch-discussion-forum/26281-need-gasket-part-number-seiko-auto-chrono-6139-601x.html

As mentioned already, best approach is to restore the original crystal.

[ro63rto]

  On 12/17/2017 at 1:34 PM, jdm said:

I would be cautious using these:
The 330.821 IS a Sternkreuz crystal but it is slightly over-sized in both diameter and height. Several fellows have had issues trying to fit this into some watches.
Seiko's EC3340B04 gasket DOES NOT interchange with the long D/Cd EC3260B04. Trust me, I tried this years ago, prior to discovering the huge amount of incorrect info on Borel's pages.
http://www.thewatchsite.com/21-japanese-watch-discussion-forum/26281-need-gasket-part-number-seiko-auto-chrono-6139-601x.html
As mentioned already, best approach is to restore the original crystal.

Wouldn't it just need the matching SK crystal gasket ?

[jdm]

  On 12/17/2017 at 1:42 PM, ro63rto said:

Wouldn't it just need the matching SK crystal gasket ?

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Wouldn't be right avoiding costly experiments and preserving original parts when possible? 

[Johnnie]

If I thought I could remove the scratches and keep the watch original I would, I just feel this crystal is too far gone to restore, obviously I maybe wrong, and that there is a miracle paste out there that will restore the crystal, and if so let me know. 

[jdm]

  On 12/17/2017 at 2:39 PM, Johnnie said:

If I thought I could remove the scratches and keep the watch original I would, I just feel this crystal is too far gone to restore, obviously I maybe wrong, and that there is a miracle paste out there that will restore the crystal, and if so let me know. 

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It's not a matter of miracles but using the correct products and technique. If you haven't restored a crystal (or anything else on watch) before, you can't know. You can search "polish watch crystal" on this forum, or on Google, or on YouTube, there are many examples, although some are wrong. 

[Watchtime]

+1, crystals and cases can be polished. You need the techniwque and the right tools, there are many videos on how this can be done correctly.

[rogart63]

  On 12/17/2017 at 2:39 PM, Johnnie said:

If I thought I could remove the scratches and keep the watch original I would, I just feel this crystal is too far gone to restore, obviously I maybe wrong, and that there is a miracle paste out there that will restore the crystal, and if so let me know. 

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Ceriumoxide or diamondpaste is used for removing the last scratches on the mineral crystals. Before that you have to use wet and dry sandpaper to remove the deep scratches. It's a lot of work. 

I have used the kleinwatches crystal a lot of times and have never had any problems with fitting them. Both fit well and look like the original. Never tested the sternkreuz but have had a few problems with 6139  that was fitted with acrylic AM crystals. And SK gaskets aren't that good. If the original gasket is in good and it's in one piece? Use that.  Seiko crystal gasket are usually okay. 

[jdm]

To be fair looks like there is a semi-circular crack @8 in the picture above, that can't be repaired. Other scuffs and scratches are not a big deal.

[Johnnie]

I think I had better change the crystal, possibly with the right methods and product the crystal could be made to look better,  it would need many hours of hard work. I am now thinking get the best crystal I can find and fit it and keeping the old crystal.

[jdm]

  On 12/17/2017 at 4:20 PM, Johnnie said:

it would need many hours of hard work.

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Less than 1 hr using a rotary tool. Don't even think doing it without.