Unbreakable watch glass (domed type) replacement tutorial

[Lee]

Unbreakable watch glasses (domed type)

 

I have shown in the past how to remove the most common watch glass crystals that we encounter the flat mineral glass. these are fitted to most of the quartz type watches we see in our workshops.

 

But the other type of glass I often replace is the domed glass type fitted in general to more traditional watches.

 

Once feared by myself I thought I’d show you just how easy these are to replace. Unlike the flat pressed in type, you do not (in general) have to remove the back of the watch or the movement and if all goes well its possible to replace a domed glass in minutes!

 

 

To remove unbreakable crystals

1. Open the brass fingers on the tool so that they sit around the glass flatly against the bezel of the watch.

2. Tighten the fingers around the glass, with experience you will get a feel for the amount of pressure to use, but the glass will freely & easily lift from the watch when this pressure is reached.

To Replace unbreakable crystals

3. To replace the new glass first lay the glass onto the platform plate (supplied with crystal lift tool) & bring in the adjustable clamp.

4. Hold the glass with the tool in a similar fashion as removal from the watch, make sure the grip is evenly spread around the glass.

5. Refit to watch & loosen the clamp.

 

Some watches are fitted with a bezel around the glass some of these have to be removed first, some don’t experience will teach you which, but this is showing the basic use of the tool.

 

Lee

 

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Very good Lee,

Just one question:

Why should the need arise that an Unbreakable watch glass would need replacing, after all it is Unbreakable is it not!!

[Lee]

Why should the need arise that an Unbreakable watch glass would need replacing, after all it is Unbreakable is it not!!

 

Its a bit like the Titanic, unsinkable but it still sunk! The main reason for changing tends to be trough scratching because the glass sits proud of the case its prone to ending up very scratched. Since these are often fitted to older style watches whose owners tend to enjoy there time pieces they will have the glass changed if it becomes marked.

 

Also consider the tooling for this job costs from £10 - £30 you can get the cost of the tool back with just one job! little investment maximum return!

 

Lee

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

I am one of those who would have the glass replaced due to scratches, but I polish mine out.

I like these Watch Tutorials, more interesting than Shoes

[Lee]

cerium's fine if you have the time, but for a commercial job its far easier to replace the glass!

 

I will do a polishing tutorial in due course!

 

Lee

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

cerium's fine if you have the time, but for a commercial job its far easier to replace the glass!

 

I will do a polishing tutorial in due course!

 

Lee

 

Yehbut, when you are a Pensioner on Six Pound Nine Shillings and Sixpence a week pension you cant afford to change the Glass, you have to buff it out and rely on the Brillo Pad not to scratching it

[ironplanet uk900]

Nice tutorial Lee, good to see someones still doing them