tc670207 Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Experts chim in PLS! What is the Clear Coating Over the Pearl Made of? The one Pearl that is on classic Submariner bezel insert. My Chinese friend told me that clear coating is made of a tiny chunk of sapphire crystal. Some on other forums said it's epoxy. My Swiss friend said it's RC Tritec UV820 - a sort of better form epoxy. Which one is true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasf2002 Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 As I understand it's Sapphire but that is from everything I have read. Looking at the one I have it's very very smooth like glass so doubt it would be epoxy. Sure someone will have a definitive answer though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
correctime Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 (edited) That's correct. The pearl luminova on a genuine insert actually has a saphhire lense covering it. From what I gather an "epoxy" coating is what's used on rep insert pearls as a mod and can be made to look quite convincing. Edited May 6, 2012 by correctime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeto72 Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Experts chim in PLS! What is the Clear Coating Over the Pearl Made of? The one Pearl that is on classic Submariner bezel insert. My Chinese friend told me that clear coating is made of a tiny chunk of sapphire crystal. Some on other forums said it's epoxy. My Swiss friend said it's RC Tritec UV820 - a sort of better form epoxy. Which one is true? TC, on reps it is an epoxy. There are different epoxy covers from cheap clear epoxy to a better UV basedso the epoxy doesn't yellow.On gens.....there is a clear sapphire lens over the luminous dot.The sapphire lens are prone to fracture..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 This is a 5 minute epoxy with a touch of lume underneath it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchguy2 Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Sapphire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc670207 Posted May 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 C'mon guys are you 100% sure of it? I got an answer from a crystal factory last night they say the kind of sapphire crystal would be very very hard and expansive to make. I mean, c'mon do the math, a replacement insert from RSC is only $35 to $50 depends on which one you go. That kind of sapphire dome would set you back for over $70 it doesn't even add up. My Swiss friend says it's for sure UV820 or she'll let me do whatever I want with her. Man, chim in here! This is the last mile for me on this insert mini project. Thx! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 It is made from sapphire glass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 My Swiss friend says it's for sure UV820 or she'll let me do whatever I want with her. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeto72 Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 what is that device measure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 It's a diamond tester. And saphire has a hardness like a diamond...try google/wikipedia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc670207 Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Sapphire hardness is 9. Omega, thanks for clearing this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc670207 Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Folks, Omega had proved the clear coating is indeed sapphire crystal. I'll proceed toward that direction. Now, pls chim in and let me know if the overall shape look right? Thx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Looks good, T. Only try to keep the correct measures of the seat, it would be great to use it on gen inserts. Because there are often cheap inserts to find without or with cracked pearl...good luck with the project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 hey TC, any plans on building some really accurate vintage stuff? 93150, 5513 , 1680, etc etc ? lot of people here really dig that dusty stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I know theres a place selling these sapphire pearl lenses. Wholesaleoutlet999??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woof* Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 hey TC, any plans on building some really accurate vintage stuff? 93150, 5513 , 1680, etc etc ? lot of people here really dig that dusty stuff. Now we're talking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 This is driving me mad. I know I saw these for sale by the bag!! I can't seem to find I now but I will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 This is driving me mad. I know I saw these for sale by the bag!! I can't seem to find I now but I will. Ofrei? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woof* Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 This is driving me mad. I know I saw these for sale by the bag!! I can't seem to find I now but I will. I still have never seen sapphire series pearls for sale..anywhere. Someone said they knew where to get them once, but when pressed they didn't have a source. As for the plexi subs, Ofrei, Yuki, and a few ebay sellers have those acrylic pearls. The 16610 sapphire pearls are not for sale anywhere I know of. There are a few horrible inaccurate ones on ebay..like the crap that come on most of our reps, but gen or aftermarket.. the only ones are wm pearls...and they are not all that good. If Tc can produce these..that would be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seacraft Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I too have been looking for a good vintage one to replace my disintegrated tritium from my gen tudor. The options are weak at best. Amber shellac and a ball of Lume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I do remember seeing a close-up photo of a small zip top bag with its contents partially spilled out on a parts store web site. And they were not whole pearls, just the miniature sapphire lenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Now that the forum has banded together to provide you with the proof of sapphire we expect you to provide pictures (and I am not referring to the insert). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 VICTORY Watch Material sells the entire luminous dot with sapphire cover for $10 US Gold or Stainless lume cups are the same price. http://www.watchmate...?idProduct=1800 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woof* Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Yeah, but you gotta get three or four wm pearls to get a good one, and then the metal cup has a yellowish tint.. Also there's 10$ shipping...but other than that, it's our only option till TC saves the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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