FlipLockBuckle Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 (edited) Hello friends, Im facing a huge problem. I bought a genuine sapphire crystal from a retail seller and tried to put it into my watch. To do this, ive built my own crystal press which was basically a combination between a hokey puck and a machine vise. But then when I put my watch in, the crystal just cracked......damn Anyway, i have bought another one and now i tried to push it in by hand, too afraid that the crystal press will crack it again. now that i pushed it in, it sits tight, but one side is (just a little bit) higher than the other. Do you think i should leave it like this or try to push it in once again with my machine?? thanx Edited January 11, 2007 by FlipLockBuckle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir-Lancelot Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 I would not leave it like that. IMO, it will crack again because the pressure is not being distributed evenly across the crystal. MAybe its slightly too large of diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWG Technical Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Would not the fact that your using a "Hockey Puck" and a "Vise" to do watch work, be a clue as to why you broke the crystal? I can't imagine how you took the case back off or removed the movement... The huge problem you have is that you don't know the first thing about watchmaking, and don't seem willing to invest the time to learn how to do things correctly, or to spend a few $$ on correct tools... a basic crystal press costs $40...yet you ruined a $250 crystal by trying a short cut. There are no short cuts in watchmaking. Unbelievable that you actually tried this, and even more unbelievable, is the fact that your posting this and wondering what went wrong...hmmm ain't hard to figure this one out. I say, use the hockey puck and vise, the hell with correct tools, and if that doesnt' work get a bigger hammer... RG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z80 Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Watch repairs by Mac Gyver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Watch repairs by Mac Gyver. More like Magoo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Dude... I can't believe you would take the chance w/ a new sapphire and have zero tools/knowledge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devedander Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 I would be very scared to try again with your hockey puck and vice... take it to a watch store, have them press it in for you... or buy a press at least before you try it again. I have no problem mashing my cheap rep crystals but I am even leary of my rep crystals that probably cost $80 to replace... you got a $250 crystal... spend a few more bucks and do it right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlipLockBuckle Posted January 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 (edited) Dude... I can't believe you would take the chance w/ a new sapphire and have zero tools/knowledge? The thing is, i took a look at some pictures of crystal presses and tried to build my own tool that statisfied all requirements needed. However it didnt work. If you don't believe me i can take a picture of the gen sapphire later on but do you have any tips on how to solve my problem now as pushing in by hand does not really work...crystal sits tight yet not even. And here it is, the broken crystal: Edited January 11, 2007 by FlipLockBuckle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devedander Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Flip I think you are totally missing the advice here which is either: Get a decent crystal press or take it to someone who does it professionally. I don't know who told you a hockey puck and a vice could be made to meet requirements (or what those were) but if I put $250 into a crystal I want a machine that was specifically designed for the task and preferably someone who has done it before to operate that machine... So again, get a decent crystal press or take it to a watch shop (preferably the latter) should solve your problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marrickvilleboy Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 (edited) Even though The Zigmeister has been a little harsh with his post, i'm with him. Just because there are people on this board who mod their own watches does NOT mean you just go and try things out without proper tools. I have broken parts with the correct tools - let alone use incorrect tools. Take it to a watchsmith to get it corrected properly. Interestingly enough, you were also the one who posted a much of questions on how to fix issues with your watches - perhaps its time for you to either learn the trade properly or take it to a specialist - and stop posting guides like "how to glue spacers to dials" and asking if "putting old magazine papers in the watch to hold the movement into place" will work...jesus christ.... Edited January 11, 2007 by Marrickvilleboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rag9fx Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 I don't want to come off as a complete hypocrite ... i know i certainly wouldn't attempt to perform another crystal installation without a press (not that i have one) but if i do another crystal instalation i certainly would get one... i f*cked up a $49 gen tropic by going about the job with the wrong tools thinking that i could cut corners... This bussiness of modding watches is certainly not one that is forgiving especially to cutting corners. in fact when i posted earlier about my mis-hap ... the response was overwhelmingly clear... buy the right tools !!!! in this hobby i learned that there is a lot of trial and error ... i am glad hear that cracking your first crystal didn't put you off trying again... but for the love of all things good and holy ... don't put it back in the vice ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Jeez guys, show some mercy! If Flip had come here and told us that he used a hockey puck to change a $20 crystal, and he was SUCCESSFUL, you'd all be calling him an innovative genius! (Remember when Bob recommended a drilled out hockey puck to press down an MBW retaining ring). It looks like the problem came from not accomodating the cyclops, and that could have also happened with a proper crystal press....Having the right tool does not insure that you will know how to use it correctly. That only comes with experience - and there's really no better place to gain experience than with replica watches. The real mistake was starting out with such an expensive part, but I'm sure that it has been a valuable lesson. These things just happen sometimes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marrickvilleboy Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 haha avitt.....you're the only one seeing the lighter side...hehehe but you need to see the topics that this member has created, do a search and you'll understand that trying to be creative and equally effective is one thing, but consistently trying to cut corners in watchmaking will NOT work....i don't want topics like these to encourage other members in trying new ways instead of the old traditional way in watchmaking. i'm sure Robert also shares the same view... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 haha avitt.....you're the only one seeing the lighter side...hehehe but you need to see the topics that this member has created, do a search and you'll understand that trying to be creative and equally effective is one thing, but consistently trying to cut corners in watchmaking will NOT work....i don't want topics like these to encourage other members in trying new ways instead of the old traditional way in watchmaking. i'm sure Robert also shares the same view... Agreed...I was unaware of the other topics. My advice to FLB: Do you remember that sickening feeling that you got when you put that last twist on the vice handle, and heard your crystal go "Pop"? It will feel much worse if you repeat the mistake a second time...Please take it to you local watchmaker to finish off the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWG Technical Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 haha avitt.....you're the only one seeing the lighter side...hehehe but you need to see the topics that this member has created, do a search and you'll understand that trying to be creative and equally effective is one thing, but consistently trying to cut corners in watchmaking will NOT work....i don't want topics like these to encourage other members in trying new ways instead of the old traditional way in watchmaking. i'm sure Robert also shares the same view... Yes I do share the same view, and have been following all the posts from FL, and not posting on them because I did not agree with what was going on and what he was doing, but the hockey puck, especially to a Canuck, was too much and pushed me over the edge... You don't mess with out national sport. RG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Well, I must admit to having used a piece of planed poplar as a die and a bar clamp as a press myself and not having issues. But I've only done this with flat crystals. I wouldn't attempt it with domed crystals.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlipLockBuckle Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 (edited) Today i went to a watchmaker and asked if he could press the crystal in...you know what he did? I was kicked out of his store the moment he realized it was a rep watch...what took approximately 2 seconds). So after I was back home i tried to push it in by hand...and it cracked again. Thats 500$ paid for broken crystals...i think I will just throw this watch away, and buy the gen one, because it keeps costing me so much money (already paid over 1500$ for it) and buying the genuine is more worthwile i think. Edited January 15, 2007 by FlipLockBuckle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Yes I do share the same view, and have been following all the posts from FL, and not posting on them because I did not agree with what was going on and what he was doing, but the hockey puck, especially to a Canuck, was too much and pushed me over the edge... You don't mess with out national sport. RG You still in FL? Maybe we can buy you dinner in exchange for a little watch work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devedander Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Number 1: Always ask first if they work on reps Number 2: Did you only try one shop? There must be more options... Number 3: $14 from Harbor freight got me a crystal press that would probably do the job for you... In this case though it sounds like you need to let this project go and move on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRG Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Today i went to a watchmaker and asked if he could press the crystal in...you know what he did? I was kicked out of his store the moment he realized it was a rep watch...what took approximately 2 seconds). So after I was back home i tried to push it in by hand...and it cracked again. Thats 500$ paid for broken crystals...i think I will just throw this watch away, and buy the gen one, because it keeps costing me so much money (already paid over 1500$ for it) and buying the genuine is more worthwile i think. Stone the flippin crows! Unbelievable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfreeman420 Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 To do this, ive built my own crystal press which was basically a combination between a hokey puck and a machine vise. ROFLMAO!!!! I once tried to fix my boom box with a flat head screw driver, hammer and airplane glue..............I was 10. That is the funniest [censored] I have heard in a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marrickvilleboy Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Today i went to a watchmaker and asked if he could press the crystal in...you know what he did? I was kicked out of his store the moment he realized it was a rep watch...what took approximately 2 seconds). So after I was back home i tried to push it in by hand...and it cracked again. Thats 500$ paid for broken crystals...i think I will just throw this watch away, and buy the gen one, because it keeps costing me so much money (already paid over 1500$ for it) and buying the genuine is more worthwile i think. holy [censored] ....thats a nasty ending....when i need a certain thing done which i can't do myself - I generally strip the watch so that a watchmaker can't tell instanteous if the watch is a rep or not. Then again for you - trying to fit a genuine rolex crystal that everyone knows does not fit rep models will give it away anyway....better next time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docblackrock Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Today i went to a watchmaker and asked if he could press the crystal in...you know what he did? I was kicked out of his store the moment he realized it was a rep watch...what took approximately 2 seconds). So after I was back home i tried to push it in by hand...and it cracked again. Thats 500$ paid for broken crystals...i think I will just throw this watch away, and buy the gen one, because it keeps costing me so much money (already paid over 1500$ for it) and buying the genuine is more worthwile i think. oh lordy lordy.... Sorry I know it's schadenfraude, but your trials and tribulations remind me of those annual Darwin Awards. Just out of interest, what watch/crystal was it, pics aren't clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 oh lordy lordy.... Sorry I know it's schadenfraude, but your trials and tribulations remind me of those annual Darwin Awards. Just out of interest, what watch/crystal was it, pics aren't clear. Lol--The Darwin Awards. Awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlipLockBuckle Posted January 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Well, the best things come in threes. I bought a third gen 295C, and now i will not press it in, i will glue it in with transparent epoxy adhesive both the gasket and the sapphire. I will post the results (pics) once im finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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