Is the MBW retaining ring difficult to press on?

[Robaer]

I have a MBW 5513 with a gen plexy. My watchmaker used all her might pressing it on, until the table bent but there still a gap between the case and the ring. Do I need to sand the inside of the ring? Should I try with silicone grease before pressing it on?

Thanks.

[ubiquitous]

In some cases, the ring may be tight, especially when combining an MBW retention ring with a gen crystal.

You can try sanding some of the matrial away, checking the fit regularly to ensure you don't take off too much material. Or, you can also try the hot/cold technique that Ronin recently posted a tutorial on.

One thing is for sure- You definitely want to get that ring seated flush with the case, as that is what will provide the water resistance at the crystal.

Best of luck,

//ubi

[dbutlerman]

You may have to sand the inside of the ring a little bit. My MBW/Clarks crystal did anyway. I ended up have JMB custom fabricate me one. You should end up with the retaining ring having an inner diameter about .004" smaller than the crystal. This should allow you to have everything fit the way it should!

[Nanuq]

Apply silicon grease at the bottom outside edge of the crystal, after pushing it onto the case. Put some more on the inside face of the ring, and heat the ring too hot to touch. Then press that bad boy on there. I can push mine onto my 1665 with my bare hands and two hockey pucks using this method.

Warning: if it's too tight, it will crack and/or stress fracture the crystal.

[dbutlerman]

Warning: if it's too tight, it will crack and/or stress fracture the crystal.

Amen! I lost a couple of crystals to this.

[Ronin]

Take a look at this. I also used this approach and some light sanding on my recent 1680. A 30mm 12pt Socket is your friend.

[Dizzy]

I have a gen t-127 on my MBW 5513 case and it went on just fine. I tried to install a clarkes t-19 and the ring wouldnt press on. I would probably try sanding the outside lip of the crystal a bit before the retaining ring.

[Robaer]

Thanks for your replys. It seems I may have to do some sanding after all. I was afraid I had missed something.

[Nanuq]

If you're going to sand the "wall" of the plexi, remember to finish it with a high gloss polish. Much of the beauty of a gen crystal comes from the clear sides and the internal reflections.

If it was MY decision, I'd sand the inside of the retaining ring. Once you go with a gen crystal you'll never be satisfied with anything else.

[Robaer]

This is a lot to consider. I'll try sanding the ring a bit first and use some grease and or heat. I had no idea that the rings or crystal would require modding to fit.

[Nanuq]

It could be that a little grease is all it takes.

Consider the pressures between that ring and a clean piece of plexiglass; the stiction (static friction) is probably what kept your watchmaker from getting it to go. Once in motion however, the ring ought to keep sliding until it's in place.

It's like seals on a shock absorber: they prevent the shock from being reactive to small bumps, simply because they're so stuck to the damper rods. Hit the rods with a shot of WD-40 and your shocks are magically smoother.

So replicate that by adding some slippery stuff to your crystal, and the ring should slide into place without a lot of drama. Have your watchmaker go for the gusto and cram that thing on in one stroke. Don't let her be a wuss and stop halfway down.

I bet it will surprise both of you.

[gavidoc]

Did the watchmaker have caseback on when she tried pressfitting the crystal on? If not the case might be bent now. Happened to me on my first one as I didn't sand the retaining ring. $150 or so down the tubes as the caseback wouldn't sit flush after that.

The following builds I did I sanded the ring and had no issues.

[Robaer]

[censored]. I haven't checked that yet. The case back was off when she pressed it. I'm using a different case now anyway, but I will have to check the first case ASAP.

[gavidoc]

Easiest way to check is to look at the 3 and 9 sides of the case. If you see a rippling effect in the metal then it's bent. If you don't see that try the caseback. If you can get it started it won't be flush when tight at the 3 and 9 sides.

[btocamelo]

LOL....I missed that "hockey puck" method...you have it posted somewhere?

I guess the main detail to be aware of is if the crystal/cyclops is in proper position before pressing the ring.....it sucks to press down that ring, then mount the movement and notice that the cyclops is a hair up/down from the DW......

how to insure proper position of the crystal?

Apply silicon grease at the bottom outside edge of the crystal, after pushing it onto the case. Put some more on the inside face of the ring, and heat the ring too hot to touch. Then press that bad boy on there. I can push mine onto my 1665 with my bare hands and two hockey pucks using this method.

Warning: if it's too tight, it will crack and/or stress fracture the crystal.

[Robaer]

It shouldn't be difficult to align the cyclops. Just place it in line with the crown tube, or do it with the dial and movement inside. Also the crystal is not that hard to press down, it's the retaining ring that is tighter.

[Robaer]

I tried the 30mm socket and plastic wrap method and it rocked. I greased the bottom part of the crystal first. For some extra power I also used a one hand clamp to press it all the way down.

Thanks for all your help.

[Dizzy]

Once you go with a gen crystal you'll never be satisfied with anything else.

+1

Very true.. nothing sparkles and makes the dial "pop" like a gen plexi.

[Robaer]

How does the clark compare? I've heard they're good, but never seen one IRL.