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Exploding Fiddys


FxrAndy

Exploding 127  

33 members have voted

  1. 1. My Fiddy ser# 0581 has exploded

    • Yes
      8
    • No
      25
  2. 2. My Fiddy ser# 0117 has exploded

    • Yes
      12
    • No
      21


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I suppose this has not much to do with the different cases (0581 / 0117)

but if the crystal is mineral or sapphire...

My story:

I have a 217 with mineral-crystal, it got scratched minimal and because

I read about the problems I decided to not wear the watch and observe

the damage.

The scratch really grew itself and got deeper - in a period about 3-4 days,

and then it shattered - all this happened with no influence from outside !

The watch was all the time on my desk and was not touched and it was

in a constant temperature...

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Gentlemen,

The Fiddy I got from Andrew did the same thing....just blew up for no reason. I suppose it might have something to do with the the way the crystal is set. It seems to be the same as when a car windshield cracks for no reason. Anyhow I ordered a new crystal from Davidsen and it should be here any day now. Hopefully The Zigmeister can sort it all out so I can wear the damn thing again.

Bruce

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  • 1 year later...
With Fiddy, I guess you are only referring to 1950 version 127 and 217? Or does it have a wider meaning including all Panerai watches?

It applies to any 47mm PAM with domed crystal, especially if sapphire, and with exception for DSN's.

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u might say that it's matter of time but my evil twins are still kicking :lol:

if others are blowing up for no reason, then i'd imagine mechanical stress when the crystal was installed into the bezel. Or the ambient temp is so low that bezel contracts and crushes the crystal. thermal expansion (or contraction) rate of glass is half of that of steel. this winter has been colder than other years in california...about low 50F at night

DSC05195.jpg

DSC05188s.jpg

DSC05184.jpg

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If i remember correctly i paid $50 plus shipping,

@ Togasa, mine did indeed break on a day when i was going in and out of buildings on a cold day but germany cold not california cold.

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  • 1 month later...

My solution:

When my trusty 217 crystal self destructed, I ordered an acrylic one from O.Frei...IIRC it was a 40.3mm pocket watch crystal that cost the "princely" sum of $4.00!!...It's not as highly domed as the original(@2.5mm), but it looks fine to me....

IMG_6862.jpg

It was @ .1mm too large, but a slight touch up with emery cloth around the outside edge gave me a nice snug "snap in" fit that doesn't require any adhesive...

BTW this is a "117" case....

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  • 1 month later...
Where can I get a new crystal

If you want sapphire: Davidsen.

If you want plexi: cousinsuk or ofrei.

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