robsa Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 Hi All I am new to the forum so a big 'Hi' to all. I was reading with interest all the kerfuffle about k2222 and his AR coating service and was wondering if anyone provided this in the UK? I assume not as people are sending them abroad to have it done. Having said this, I did a quick search on google and found a few company's that provide AR coating services. They usually talk about lenses but I see no reason why they would not do watch faces? Unless I am wrong in this assumption that is. Has anyone in the UK contacted these company's to enquire? Perhaps a few of us could pool our stuff together to get this done (I assume they would probably have a minimum quantity, although not sure.) What are the watch glasses made of usually? Glass or some sort of crystal? Sadly, my knowledge is lacking in this area but I am only too happy to maybe make some enquiries if I knew the answer. This company are in manchester: http://www.siltint.com/Precision_Products/antireflection.asp regards, Robsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 What are the watch glasses made of usually? Glass or some sort of crystal? Sadly, my knowledge is lacking in this area but I am only too happy to maybe make some enquiries if I knew the answer. Sapphire. I await the results of your enquiries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsa Posted November 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 Well, I have sent them an email enquiry asking whether they could do them and if so if there is a minimum charge or quantity... I will let you know as soon as I get an answer! Robsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefwiggum Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 I'd be interested in the outcome of those enquiries too Robsa - Thanks for making the effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsa Posted December 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Hey fellas Well, I received an email today: Dear Robsa We have a coating process designed for 'sapphire glass' (high index substrate). Prices for coating boths sides: 4-off - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreatheDeep Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Hi i have been in contact with Siltint for a few weeks now,they will and can work with sapphire and offer single or double ar. The prices i have pinned them down too are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsa Posted December 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 (edited) Ah, sweet! Great minds eh? Well, I am watchless at the moment (I took apart my Submariner LV and now I killed it, sob!) but will be buying 3 in January so I may be interested in the AR coating then. Of course, it would be nice to see a review of one already done... Actually, that's a point - I could get my sub lens AR'd! Nowt to lose really, as I can always put it on another Sub or perhaps get my one fixed one day. So I could be up for it before Chrimble, depending on dates and so forth, otherwise I will certainly be up for it in January. -Robsa! Edited December 1, 2008 by robsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgematic Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 I would be interested too, but do we need to take of the crystals? I'm in Belgium, any problems with that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyrussel Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Ah, sweet! Great minds eh? Well, I am watchless at the moment (I took apart my Submariner LV and now I killed it, sob!) but will be buying 3 in January so I may be interested in the AR coating then. Of course, it would be nice to see a review of one already done... Actually, that's a point - I could get my sub lens AR'd! Nowt to lose really, as I can always put it on another Sub or perhaps get my one fixed one day. So I could be up for it before Chrimble, depending on dates and so forth, otherwise I will certainly be up for it in January. -Robsa! A good effort both. We should start getting an idea of numbers? I have at least 3 needed AR. RR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreatheDeep Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 I am going away until the 2 of january so i cant do anything till then. As for taking the crystals out,i have no problems doing the actual legwork but i am afraid i dont want to get involved with the risk of getting crystals removed from watches. The crystal does need to be out of the watch for it to be coated. I am getting mine removed by a local wtachsmith. But i agree a group batch is th eway to go,i can get it far cheaper i reckon,my quote was just to get 2-3 of my own watches done. I cant see a problem with sending one from belguim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvc Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 I have a 6.75 bentley needs double ar. Its with josh a the mo getting repaired.would be ready jan, and probably another by then. I dont have a clue how to remove the chrystal. suppose we would have to do that?. And I just thought, what if chrystal has a single ar? i.e my bentley. would they remove the single ar and start over like chief? or just coat the other side? Never understood ar fully. just know it looks awesome when its done. does single ar mean its just on one side thats coated or does it mean the strength of the coating is weaker. as in double ar is 2 coats so to speak. sorry if that sounds pathetic. bvc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsa Posted December 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Hmn, that's a point. I expect the service is to AR something that hasn't already got it. Would you need to strip the original AR coating off? How can you tell if it has or hasn't got AR already on it? I don't know whether my submariner lens has or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreatheDeep Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 (edited) The price i was quoted is for non coated items,but they did say they can remove an old coating at extra charge. The single is for one side and the double for both sides. The coating they use has a hard protective coat over it to withstand damage,dont know how strong the coating is but he said it is hard enough for binoculars/telescopes and glasses,so it must be quite resilient. As for removal of the crystals,i remember a new member coming on th eboard recently who is a qualified watchsmith,worth finding him and see if we can cut a deal/possibley get some mod work done at the same time. I think his name was something like watchsmithman???? Edited December 1, 2008 by Ukmerctechie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratchpot Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Anyone know the technical specifications of the AR coating they propose to use? It would be useful to see how it compares to the top of the range coating that chieftang uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreatheDeep Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Anyone know the technical specifications of the AR coating they propose to use? It would be useful to see how it compares to the top of the range coating that chieftang uses. This is the coating the guy recommended for the job of coating watch crystals Dont really understand the numbers or graphs though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreatheDeep Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 I have contacted the watchmaker guy in the uk asking if he would be willing to remove the crystals and other jobs on the watches,just waiting on a reply from him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooky driver Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Good work Ukmerctechie.....i have a few that would go on your list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Find out how they're fixturing the crystals in the chamber before sending them off for coating. If not done with specialized fixtures, you're not going to be happy with the results. FWIW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocketeer Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 (edited) Ask Siltint to do a sample crystal for you before going too far. Results from them when I tried them with a test batch in the past had the typical edge lip problems as well as occasional milky patches to the coatings. There are much better companies in the UK for coating but they do take time and testing to sort them out. A good start is asking if they can meet MIL-C-14806A Rev2 spec. Edited December 1, 2008 by Rocketeer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Ask Siltint to do a sample crystal for you before going too far. Results from them when I tried them with a test batch in the past had the typical edge lip problems as well as occasional milky patches to the coatings. There are much better companies in the UK for coating but they do take time and testing to sort them out. A good start is asking if they can meet MIL-C-14806A Rev2 spec. The edge lip is what I was referring to in regards to fixturing.... So it doesn't sound like Siltint has the proper equipment for watch crystals to avoid it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pollux1 Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Would it not be a good idea for us EU guys to do a batch run with chieftang? Crystals removed of course? 20-40 crystals would hardly be a problem with customs I reckon. At least we KNOW chief will do it right. My 0.2c though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireman_Fred Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 With the "loss" of K2222 in the EU, (along with one of my reps !), I would be very interested if we can get a deal with a UK company that will AR our crystals - Thanks for your enquiries, guys, I will await your results with interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Would it not be a good idea for us EU guys to do a batch run with chieftang? Crystals removed of course? 20-40 crystals would hardly be a problem with customs I reckon. At least we KNOW chief will do it right. My 0.2c though If someone in the EU were to organize this, and send me an entire batch of crystals, we could expedite them right to my AR lab. It would allow me to do runs for EU members a lot more regularly and easily. So if anyone out there wants to be a "point man", let me know and we'll work something out. People just need to be comfortable with the customs issue. "Small glass parts" on the declaration seems to fly right through. Never once has anything been confiscated. The only question in the EU would be tariffs, I suppose. FWIW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooky driver Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 obviously my first choice would be for chief to do my crystals. from what i hear the quality is far superior than some gen watches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kornblomst Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 obviously my first choice would be for chief to do my crystals. from what i hear the quality is far superior than some gen watches. Seems like this thread has died...or maybe continued in another thread...any news on the test run? Either way, having a pointman for Chieftang i EU, might be very helpful for us EU citizens....funny to see that no one has replied this. I could investigate further into customs restrictions and possible constraints for sending saphires to Chief - it the offer still stands from him. Unfortunately I don't think I have enough credibility, not to say experience within the replica world, else I would be happy to contribute. /korn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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