Mickey Padge Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 I have just managed to purchase a sweet little fantasy 40mm PAM base model, with an ETA automatic movement. I think the watch is no longer produced, I certainly have not seen one offered anywhere It is a really nice watch, but appears to have a mineral crystal, or maybe tough acrylic. I say this because the crystal has hairline scratches and imperfections on it's surface. Similar to what you can see on vintage MBK Rolex watches after a while.... Picture of the watch, but not my one: I was thinking, what are the chances of me buying a sapphire crystal that could be installed OK? Maybe a crystal that is used for another 40mm PAM rep? Or sourced eleswhere maybe? Any input would be greatly appreciated, as it is as really nice watch and deserves a scratch free sapphire crystal Cheers! EDIT: Fixed the watch! See below for pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepshow Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Since the 40mm PAMs are discontinued, you might have a tough time sourcing a sapphire crystal. *IF* you do manage to find one, you'll have to have the cyclops removed. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted June 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Since the 40mm PAMs are discontinued, you might have a tough time sourcing a sapphire crystal. *IF* you do manage to find one, you'll have to have the cyclops removed. Good luck! Yeah I forgot about that pesky cyclops! I wonder if there are any aftermarket crystal specialists about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted June 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 These are all 40mm PAM's, but chronographs, what do you think the odds are that one would fit? http://www.trustytime88.com/index.php?main...c696d288736764a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted June 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 This is the sorts of place I need: http://www.watch-batteries.com/material/Wa...ass-Crystal.htm But with more selection/sizes and sapphire crystals..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old skool Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Man, I would love to build a sterile 40mm white base dial PAM for my gf... Impossible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted June 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Must be mineral crystal, because the toothpaste polish trick is not working Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old skool Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Try Polywatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted June 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Try Polywatch Interesting, thanks for the tip It seems that you may be able to polish glass? Or is this product aimed at acrylic too? Most websites state acrylic glass I will investige further, thanks old skool. Cool idea regarding the non-branded 40mm base, maybe Davidsen could get his hands on a 40mm case? Hell maybe he can get me a sapphire crystal?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old skool Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Crystal polishing: http://www.timezone.com/library/workbench/workbench0018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted June 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 I am fairly certain it is mineral crystal, and from what I have read, polywatch is for acrylic based watch crystals It seems polishing mineral crystal is a fairly impossible task.... Seems a replacement crystal is the way forward, and I have just found a website in Glasdow that creates mineral crystals to spec, just send them your watch (or only the watch case/crystal)... I wonder if they can use/offer sapphire crystals? http://www.tevendale.net/ Maybe they could just polish out the imperfections of my existing crystal? Probably worth a phone call at least... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted June 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 Well I removed the crystal OK. It is about 33mm-ish across, 2mm-ish thick, flat bottom, domed top with a bevelled edge. I have no means to measure it to the degree of accuracy needed..... I looked at cousinsuk, but they do not seem to have anything suitable... I will keep looking, if anybody knows a way to meassure the crystal, I would appreciate some input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted July 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 The guy at http://www.tevendale.net/ is a seriously nice guy I could not get a sapphire crystal for my 40mm PAM, but he was able to install a new mineral crystal for only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 It looks fantastic I'm very happy that you have this resolved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted July 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 It looks fantastic I'm very happy that you have this resolved. Thanks man, it took a few weeks to get it fixed, but it was worth it This crystal is better than the original, it has a really great visibility even at acute angles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir-Lancelot Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Think they could cut a domed fiddy crystal if provided a sample? The really great visibility even at acute angles got me thinking. Nice watch, glad you found an option to get it fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted July 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Think they could cut a domed fiddy crystal if provided a sample? The really great visibility even at acute angles got me thinking. Nice watch, glad you found an option to get it fixed. You should give him a call, he is a nice guy and will help you out I am sure You could do what I did and just remove the dial/movement and put it under a dust cover, then send him the empty case... The visibility is amazing and it has a really nice dome, I will see if I can get a photo of it now..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted July 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Here you go, these show the amazing visibility of the new mineral glass and it's nice dome Click to expand! I am really happy with the results, and for only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir-Lancelot Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Thanks, It may be worth a shot and I am going to contact him. For that price, I could have a back up too just in case. I think the stock EL mineral crystal was better/clearer than the DSN sapphire that is on mine currently and your looks better than that the EL crystal. Thank for the info my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted July 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Thanks, It may be worth a shot and I am going to contact him. For that price, I could have a back up too just in case. I think the stock EL mineral crystal was better/clearer than the DSN sapphire that is on mine currently and your looks better than that the EL crystal. Thank for the info my friend. No problem, happy to help! Let us know how you get on Out of interest how large is a fiddy crystal? Maybe the fact mine is only 33mm, means it can be thinner? Feel free to use my pictures, if it helps you when you contact him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoTone Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 MP... Have you contacted our Crystal Guru right here on RWG? The one and only Offshore... Double T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted July 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 MP... Have you contacted our Crystal Guru right here on RWG? The one and only Offshore... Double T No I was totally unaware of Offshore's guru like powers when it comes to watch crystals I posted this thread, but did not have much luck for a while, until I found this guy in Scotland and he did a great job Do you think Offshore could source a 33.3mm domed sapphire crystal? That would be cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sssurfer Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 A bold and nice project that deserves support. Fiddy crystals are 39.95mm diameter. Minifiddy crystals are 37mm diameter. Cousinsuk domed sapphire cystals unfortunately go up to 32mm max. Ofrei has the following domed sapphire crystals to take in consideration: ZSGD-330-1.5, 33mm x 1.5mm, 45 USD ZSGD-335-1.2, 33.5mm x 1.2mm, 45 USD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted July 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 A bold and nice project that deserves support. Fiddy crystals are 39.95mm diameter. Minifiddy crystals are 37mm diameter. Cousinsuk domed sapphire cystals unfortunately go up to 32mm max. Ofrei has the following domed sapphire crystals to take in consideration: ZSGD-330-1.5, 33mm x 1.5mm, 45 USD ZSGD-335-1.2, 33.5mm x 1.2mm, 45 USD Hiya Those crystals from ofrei are pink sapphire though..... At least that is what I was told Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sssurfer Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 :lol: "Pink" sapphire is just the best sapphire you can get. It is not pink coloured. At least this is what I was told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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