Watchmeister Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Although some versions are better than others I have never been happy with the rep crystals on the Offshores. I even tried my hand with another member on a run of crystals which was not a happy ending. When that didn't work I then reached out to a certain watchsmith in the Great North and had him carve out the perfect "crystal" out of plexiglass based on gen pictures graciously provided by another member with a gen. And when he had finished it he came back to me and let me know it looked nothing like the crystal on the rep (okay it was round ). At that point curiousity got the better of me (and I sold off a watch or two) so I went for it and picked up a gen crystal. And needless to say the watchsmith had it exactly right. Rather than a "barrel" it required a proper "step-in" so that the crystal can properly mount in the bezel, poke through the bezel and provide a real seal. In any case, here is the gen crystal which comes with two gaskets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asf Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Oh wow it's similar to how gen sea-dweller crystals with a notch. Question is: does it fit?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted February 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 That is the question. I just snapped a couple of pics before sending it to Ziggy this week. My best guess is that it works within the exterior bezel but won't fit with the rep tachy ring. The taller tachy ring on the rep enables the rep manufacturer to use a thinner and simpler barrel crystal. The gen is engineered in reverse - finding the best way to seal the watch from the elements - ergo the two gasket system. If that is the case I will probably have Ziggy make a new plexi with the appropriate height and bevel characteristics above but fitting for the rep below and then see if it is economic to do a run. I still have a rep or two left and a couple of folks knowing about the prior crystal project have been asking about it. And no this is not an advertisement to sell crystals. If it is plausible and economic I will let folks know. It's all god fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asf Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Definitely sounds like mega-modding work similar to moving th crown down and shaving a few pounds off the caseback. Good luck with that and hats off to you for testing it out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikellem Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Great work WM, You have take quite a few steps here and thanks for sharing the info with the board. It takes a lot of patience plus quite a financial investment to get to this point. I am sure The Zigmeister will figure out the rest. Great job, well done my friend ! MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleet Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Great news. This is exactly what this hobby needs, pioneers that does this, so maybe future generations can get it aswell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 The stepped design gave me an "ah ha" moment there. It's all starting to add up.... Thanks for tracking this down and sharing, W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovewatch Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 looks like way to much work, I'll just order the gen crystal .............on a side note precision (job well done). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted February 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 looks like way to much work, I'll just order the gen crystal .............on a side note precision (job well done). I would hold off on that order until it is plugged into the rep case. There are clearly two points of contact (ergo the two gaskets) on the gen so I need to see whether it works as is or what needs to be done to the case to have it achieve the same functionality. Remember the rep crystal is simply a barrel crystal so there may be rework to the exterior bezel. Where this will get interesting is adapting the "above the bezel aesthetic" onto a rep base for an excellent crystal for all the non-franken reps. The purpose of this purchase was two fold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovewatch Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 I believe I read to fast, didn't realize that was the gen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgematic1 Posted March 1, 2012 Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 interesting, is this the crystal that has been for sale on the bay at $350? I was hesitating on getting it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted March 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 interesting, is this the crystal that has been for sale on the bay at $350? I was hesitating on getting it! No. I didn't see the listing. It is from a local parts source where I have gotten most of my parts over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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