lefty47 Posted June 14, 2006 Report Share Posted June 14, 2006 I have purchased the Sapphire Crystal from Davidson for my 1950. I took it to a good reliable watch repair guy in town and he is stuck. When he took the Bezel off, it has an inner ridge holding the crystal in place. The attached poor quality picture should show you what I'm talking about. Anyway, my question is How do you get the crystal out of the Bezel? My watch guy is afraid to push too hard for fear of breaking the old crystal. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spock Posted June 14, 2006 Report Share Posted June 14, 2006 (edited) I think this is a better pic. I want to know also. How to remove that bezel? With a press maybe? Edited June 14, 2006 by spock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finepics Posted June 14, 2006 Report Share Posted June 14, 2006 The crystal is held in place with a plastic compression ring located in a groove in the bezel. The crystal needs to be pressed out of the bezel - no other way!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty47 Posted June 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2006 The crystal is held in place with a plastic compression ring located in a groove in the bezel. The crystal needs to be pressed out of the bezel - no other way!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swdivad Posted June 14, 2006 Report Share Posted June 14, 2006 He needs the right size press tool that fits close to the edge of the crystal so as not to put pressure on the middle of the crystal. The Zigmeister had me make one up for my 212, It needs to be shaped something like this: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spock Posted June 14, 2006 Report Share Posted June 14, 2006 i dont want to be the smart one but when a watchmaker is asking me how to remove this bezel ,i think i will go to some one else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidsenjpn Posted June 15, 2006 Report Share Posted June 15, 2006 i dont want to be the smart one but when a watchmaker is asking me how to remove this bezel ,i think i will go to some one else. Well, It seems to me that the watch smith is not really very professional.I would go to another watch smith to do the replacment.The most important point is wheter he got the correct and right size tool to perform the task as the 127 crystal size is quite big.If he got it right,that is quite easy to remove and install the crystal. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bignasty Posted June 15, 2006 Report Share Posted June 15, 2006 Well, It seems to me that the watch smith is not really very professional.I would go to another watch smith to do the replacment.The most important point is wheter he got the correct and right size tool to perform the task as the 127 crystal size is quite big.If he got it right,that is quite easy to remove and install the crystal. Good luck! I can do the swap for you! PM if you are interested. JOn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archibald Posted June 15, 2006 Report Share Posted June 15, 2006 This must be a tricky operation. I use 2 watchsmiths--one refuses to remove crystals on my reps, the other makes me sign a little piece of paper that says I won't hold him responsible if it breaks---that being said, smith #2 has removed about a dozen crystals w/o incident. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greeetz Posted June 15, 2006 Report Share Posted June 15, 2006 Hi everybody, I've got a similar problem with a 127. I'm happy with my glas but I would like to know how to remove the bezel from the case? maybe somebody can help ? thx, greeetz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finepics Posted June 15, 2006 Report Share Posted June 15, 2006 Hi everybody, I've got a similar problem with a 127. I'm happy with my glas but I would like to know how to remove the bezel from the case? maybe somebody can help ? thx, greeetz There seem to be two different types of fiddy case out there. The older versions 1-4 have the more traditional layout of a bezel held in to the case with a nylon I ring. You should see a small notch on the edge of the bezel - insert a thin blade into the notch and keep working around the bezel pressing hard until it starts to lift. Carefull as it can then pop off and there is a risk of damaging the dial/hands. The other type of case/bezel which I have seen more recently is a friction metal/metal fit and very difficult to remove. Same technique as above but there is no nothch to get you started!! very sore on the thumbs!! I have removed several 127 crystals now without any breakages. Davidsens crystals are absolutley superb - I recently fitted one for someone that had a mineral glass which had shattered. Crucial thing when fitting the new crystal is to line it up carefully before pressing it into the bezel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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