Sapphire Crystal Transplant for a SOSF Lite

[dovo1695]

I have been planning to do a review of the Black Dialed SOSF ETA Version vs the Black Dialed SOSF Asian Version. I will be receiving a SOSF Lite from Silix in the next few days. Unfortunately, it looks as though he's sent me one with the wrong color dial (blue instead of black). I asked that he send me the black watch that I ordered as a replacement as soon as the New Years holiday was over. He countered that he would be willing to send me on a black dial so that I could fix it myself.

Question 1: Is this reasonable on his part (sending the dial only) or should I push to receive the watch that I ordered? I lack the tools necessary to swap the dial, and am loath to pay a watchsmith $50 to do it for me since the mistake wasn't mine.

Assuming I am foreced to change the dial myself, I would obviously need to take the crystal off to do it. This got me thinking that if I'm going to go through the trouble of taking the watch apart, I might as well replace the mineral crystal with a sapphire crystal while I'm at it.

Question 2: Has anyone ever transplanted a sapphire dial with AR (like the one that comes on the ETA version) on a SOSF Lite? Would this actually work?

Thanks in Advance for your advice,

Dovo

[opti]

you don't need to take off the crystal to replace the dial.

After you open the case back, it will pop out with the movement (which it is attached to) you then remove the hands and screws the bolt the dial into the movement.

But without the correct tools would be very difficult.

I just replied to your post in the other thread about this, gist of it is, if you dont feel comfortable doing it ask for a replacement. Its not your mistake.

Edited February 10, 2010 by opti

[Guest avitt]

The bezel has to come off to replace the crystal. Unfortunately, there's a high probability of damaging a the bezel when removing it.

[hackR]

if it was me, i'd send the watch back and get a complete replacement...why go thru the hassle and risk of something going wrong...so unless he planne to give you a dial AND some refund, i'd insist on sending it completely back...but unfortunately this will take time...most dealers will only send you a replacement after receiving the returned watch...so figure that a return/receive will take a 15-20 days - if you are lucky...but many of us have returned watches successfully with various dealers...

one other point - avitt is right on the crystal...addtionally, there's always uncertainty in transplanting parts from one watch model to another - even with watches known to be from he same factories - but more so, when made in different factories...

my 2 cents...

good luck!...R