Jump to content
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  • Current Donation Goals

Major Ploprof Issue


sfa437

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 155
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Tough little mothers , these are!

After 5 hours in the freezer @ below freezing, there is no change to the crystal.

So as I was making my morning cup of coffee, I poured a bit of the extra hot water from the kettle into a soup bowl.

In went the crystal, straight from the freezer.

I was sort of half expecting a mini explosion, or at least a crack, but Nada, nothing.

Left it for 5 minutes to thoroughly heat up, and reefed it out with a teaspoon.

And it had certainly gotten hot (burned my fingers when I picked it up!)

A close inspection, mag lamp and microscope reveals no change from what was seen last night.

The original delam is still vaguely discernable under the microscope, but can't be seen under 3X mag, and certainly not with the naked eye. I do think the only reason it can even be seen under the microscope at 40X is when I switch on the backlit ability (which I normally don't use) which would be used for inspecting laboratory slides.

Its unfortunately an overcast day today, so the UV level is low.

I have been threatening to buy a UV lamp for curing crystal installs, so I think a shopping trip may be in order later today; this experiment is justification for the expense, and I can save myself having to put watches outside every time I do an install with UV glue.

I'm not expecting UV to have any effect on it, but its worth a shot.

I do however think we need to increase the range of temperature change if we are going to get it to delam or break, but is there much point?

That becomes just plain destruction testing (which I'm sure Nanug awaits with glee) but hell, we are just trying to accelerate conditions which these are exposed to, and I don't think a temperature range greater than zero to 100C would ever be experienced by one of these.rolleyes.gif

I'm now at a loss as to where to take this experiment, so once again I seek input from brains more astute than the one inside this old head.

Offshore

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So given the pics from offshore the beast needs a 28.90mm x 5.25mm (4mm at the edge) domed solid sapphire crystal with double AR. I wonder how much this would cost to manufacture.

With all the future issues plus color plus AR distortion you get with those sandwich xtals I wonder if it would be better just to manufacture the right xtal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A domed like that would be a magnifier...I don't think these things have a dome!

And we are seeking 1:1 aren't we? whistling.gif

O/S

we are talking about a 20% slope on top of an Omega double AR crystal. You won't see any magnifier effect. But based on the review the crystal is 4.9mm at the center.

Here you can find pics/review of the 1200m Ploprof and you can see the center of the crystal is raised just like the Planet Ocean. The light effects you see on the crystal are very similar to my PO.

http://www.rruegger.ch/omega_seamaster_1200_ploprof_images_large.htm

This is just a suggestion. I really don't like the idea of using a sandwich design with mineral + sapphire. Seems too messy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Alright, I clearly see the dome, and it doesn't protrude above the bezel, like this current iteration.

It would be bloody easy to fit a 2mm double dome, and they are easy to find in sapph or MG.

Do we know for sure that the gen is flat bottom?

I could easily fit a double dome if this is a way forward.

O/S

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting indeed.

Unfortunately, their instructions for the bezel removal don't work or apply to the rep. (Bugger) Must be a different system.

Also the locking ring pictured doesn't exist on the rep.

So there is nothing holding the rep crystal in, except that dinky plastic retaining ring the Chinese use, and the 4.5mm crystal contact with it. And the fact that the crystal is BLOODY tightly fitted into the case.

Are those pics pertinent to the new release gens, or are they only talking about the original watches here?

O/S

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't found any info on how to pull apart the new version but based on the review the case design is different with the original being a monocoque (a lot more useful for deep dives) and the new with a removable caseback. That means the original was front loaded which may explain the intricate crystal.

I'd assume the new Ploprof crystal design follows the Planet Ocean (also painfully tight) since you rarely have to remove the crystal with a removable caseback.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The crystal has now had a day in the sun, soaking up what little UV was around.

It appears as before, and the delam is not noticeable to the naked eye, nor under 3X mag.

I am now becoming more persuaded, that Nanug's theory, of excessive loadings on a 2 part crystal, during temperature changes , may have some validity. The extremely tight fit of the MG portion of the crystal and the variation in diameters is what leads me back to this idea..

This could be relatively easily cured, by removing the crystal retaining ring, and gluing in the crystal using UV glue, EXCEPT for 1 small issue.

At this time, no one has succeeded in removing the bezel, (including yours truly), and as anyone who has glued crystals in will know, there is always a little excess glue which needs to be cleaned off....and the way the seat is located in this case, I fear some excess glue may find its way into the bezel mechanism, with subsequent disastrous results! One would normally never install a crystal by glueing, without 1st removing the bezel, and I am loathe to try with this one!

The other option is to try to marginally reduce the diameter of the existing 2 part crystal by sanding, and repressing it into the retaining ring.

I confess to be running out of ideas on this little challenge, so any further ideas are most welcomed.

Offshore

Link to comment
Share on other sites

...there is always a little excess glue which needs to be cleaned off....and the way the seat is located in this case, I fear some excess glue may find its way into the bezel mechanism, with subsequent disastrous results!

Now wait just a minute. Are you saying you have also found a solution to the non-functional bezel lock on this watch?!

Offshore Rules! :notworthy:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...
Please Sign In or Sign Up