New OEM like replacement crystal for HBBs

[txcollector]

This is a project that I started last year and now it's finally done.

The HBB is an awesome rep but after spending some time at the AD I start noticing the few differences that now are bugging me (mainly date wheel and crystal). On the crystal side there are two major flaws with all HBB reps that I have seen:

• Incorrect crystal thickness
  
• Incorrect AR
  

Here are some comparison pictures to show the differences.

Here's the gen. Notice how the crystal is raised above the bezel.

Photo courtesy of Shinzo

And compare to the rep to see how it's flush with the bezel.

This for me is a very noticeable difference that can be easily spotted.

Since I couldn't find any good replacement for the stock crystal (others have tried but none have gotten this right yet) and decided it would be better to get the gen specs and send out for custom manufacturing.

After a number of months, prototypes and emails I finally have my crystals.

This week I was able to install one for a customer. Here's the result (with my thanks to the watch owner that allowed me to take these pictures). What do you guys think?

[deniz21]

very very nice TX looks great.

but did you checkd the other gen HBBs like the ice bang or all black? i cant say for sure but a couple of weeks i handeld the gen ice bang and i realy cant say the crystal was that raised but may you know that ?

all the best

deniz

[krpster]

Now that is dedication to the details! Nice work, it looks great.

[OSRep]

Darn you TX! haha! jk - youve put alot of effort into making this hobby better. If you come across a nice "Ice Bang" let me know - and ill take one of your crystals too

[txcollector]

I have checked for a number of the 44mm HBBs. I have not seen the Ice Bang in person but I believe for the All Black this is correct.

[pbdad]

Got mine installed.

Not only is now the correct height, the overall quality is leap and bounds above the standard rep crystal.

thanks, buddy for offering this to us!

[Dani]

great effort and project

[txcollector]

very very nice TX looks great.

but did you checkd the other gen HBBs like the ice bang or all black? i cant say for sure but a couple of weeks i handeld the gen ice bang and i realy cant say the crystal was that raised but may you know that ?

all the best

deniz

Deniz,

I've done a lot of research to get to the specs. I can't say for sure that all will have the exact same height but I haven't seen any that have a flush crystal. The reason it the effect you get on the beveled top of the crystal. Here's a pic (incidentally the Ice Bang and the All Black are shown).

[mt666tm]

TX's crystal is perfect from his pics (i have one on the way). I've handled lots of gens recently and the main thing that you notice even before datewheel fonts is the crystal. Gen's have the beveled edge that catches the light and it is very noticeable from a distance. Even a 2geek crystal that is not much taller than rep looks better because it has a beveled edge. There is variation among gens as to the height/thickness of the crystals, but not by much and they are all taller than rep, and all taller than the 2geek. The gen crystals are probably all the same, some are just set a bit deeper than others or perhaps bezel spacers are a tiny bit different in proportion...

I was getting curious looks at the AD when I was analyzing every aspect of these watches and asking to see so many and I wasn't even trying any of them on. There are lots of macro variation between gens; depth of screws, dial imperfections, AR tone, etc. But this is all stuff that no ordinary person would ever notice. Bottom line is pop in the TX crystal and a 2geek datewheel and you're done.

All you guys that have them installed post some pics

[gran]

Great effort for the community indeed!!!

[mt666tm]

Here is a 2-geek crystal:

Here is the TX (freshly installed):

It's a beast!

[wrxzzz]

Everything's bigger in Texas.

ote name='mt666tm' date='19 May 2010 - 08:36 AM' timestamp='1274254578' post='836951']

Here is a 2-geek crystal:

Here is the TX (freshly installed):

It's a beast!

[OSRep]

Very nice mt666tm! Whats your verdict on the AR difference?

Anyone: How easy is it to change crystals on HBB's for a noob?

[ubiquitous]

Looks great! Big difference indeed!

[mt666tm]

Very nice mt666tm! Whats your verdict on the AR difference?

Anyone: How easy is it to change crystals on HBB's for a noob?

The AR is really amazing. It is better than i've seen on many gens.

To change a crystal is relatively easy, but if you've never done it then maby buy a cheap quartz HBB and practice on that 1st. Remove the caseback, then the stem, then movement and bezel and clasp (or whole strap if you want) and then push out the rep crystal with your thumbs. It will pop out hard so do it over a carpet or something soft.

Lay down a nice clean cloth of some kind and place the TX crystal on it (beveled edge down), then place the crystal gasket in the case, then place the case onto the crystal and push evenly and hard. It will slide right in. Check to make sure it's in even, and just push around the edge to even it out if needed.

kinda like this:

[fitipaldi]

Thanks mt666tm! One thing, where can I get the screwer to remove bezel scews?

thanks

[txcollector]

Thanks mt666tm! One thing, where can I get the screwer to remove bezel scews?

thanks

Do not remove the bezel. There's no need. Check this thread for instructions on how to replace the crystal.

[Samurai]

I got 3 of the TX Crystals...but haven't got them installed yet. I do have the H screwdriver etc. but don't have skills to do this.

Will take it to the watchsmith soon.

[txcollector]

Again DO NOT remove the bezel. You don't need the H screw driver to replace the crystal.

[OSRep]

To change a crystal is relatively easy, but if you've never done it then maby buy a cheap quartz HBB and practice on that 1st. Remove the caseback, then the stem, then movement and bezel and clasp (or whole strap if you want) and then push out the rep crystal with your thumbs. It will pop out hard so do it over a carpet or something soft.

Lay down a nice clean cloth of some kind and place the TX crystal on it (beveled edge down), then place the crystal gasket in the case, then place the case onto the crystal and push evenly and hard. It will slide right in. Check to make sure it's in even, and just push around the edge to even it out if needed.

Hey buddy. Thanks for the quick tutorial. I think my main concern would be removing the stem/movement.......but I still want to give it a go Might give you a holla when my watch arrives (if thats ok with you?)

Oh yeah, whats the best way to ensure the crystal is clean and dust free before installation?

[txcollector]

Crystals are sold out!!! Thanks everyone that participated in this project and provided feedback/pics/impressions.

[mt666tm]

^ Thanks for doing this for us!

about the bezel, fair enough, you don't have to remove it. I just do because the ceramic is sharp and I don't want to accidentally damage the glass if something slips or pops out as the ceramic can chip it. If anyone needs an H-screwdriver just take a flat-head and file a notch in the middle

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Oh yeah, whats the best way to ensure the crystal is clean and dust free before installation?

Do it in outer space... No matter what i've done in the past there is ALWAYS dust in there after I close the caseback. Even when I am 100% sure and inspect under all kinds of light and everything. Dust is smart, it knows how to hide, how to blend in... once you put that caseback on it's the cue for that dust hiding in there to come out and play. Have fun

[coolfire]

Crystals are sold out!!! Thanks everyone that participated in this project and provided feedback/pics/impressions.

No more future runs?

[txcollector]

No more future runs?

This was a one time one thing. Too much work to get this one done.

I started the project to get one crystal for me and ended up having to sell dozens.

However If there's enough demand in the future I might do another run but I'm not planning it at this time.

[coolfire]

This was a one time one thing. Too much work to get this one done.

I started the project to get one crystal for me and ended up having to sell dozens.

However If there's enough demand in the future I might do another run but I'm not planning it at this time.

Dang..should have known this was a one-off. About to get my first HBB, and was thinking of using your crystal as an upgrade.

Here's looking forward to a future run...