How to Install Watch Crystals
Installing crystals, the glass or acrylic that covers the dial on pocket and wrist watches, is an easy task. It's particularly quick to install crystals on vintage watches, and in many cases no tools are necessary. Watches manufactured after 1970 or so, and featuring mineral or sapphire glass, require tools and the skills to use them. Crystals on vintage watches are usually made of acrylic and are easy to break if care is not taken.
Things You'll Need
- Crystal
- Case press
- Watchmaker's screwdrivers
- Jeweler's epoxy
- Epoxy solvent
- Rubbing alcohol
- Case blade
- Rubberized jar grip
Instructions
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1
Use a case blade to pry open the snap-down case back of a vintage watch. Unscrew the case back counterclockwise if the watch has a screw-down case back. Use a jar grip for stubborn screw-down case backs. Remove the case back.
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2
Remove the movement, which is the mechanism that operates the watch, if it's not fastened to the case with screws. If the movement is attached with screws, use a screwdriver to remove them.
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3
Unscrew or unsnap, depending on the model, the front bezel that holds the crystal in place. Many vintage watch bezels lift directly off the case without the use of fastening screws. At this point, you'll have the watch in four pieces: the case back, case, movement and bezel with the crystal still attached.
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4
Use your thumb to push out the crystal from the bezel. The crystal is usually fastened to the bezel with jeweler's epoxy and may take some pressure to remove. If the crystal is stubborn, use solvent to dissolve the epoxy by applying a small amount around the edges of the crystal on the underside of the bezel.
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5
Use the case blade to scrap away epoxy residue. Clean the bezel with rubbing alcohol.
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Place tiny drops of epoxy on the edges of the new watch crystal, and place the crystal flush against the inside of the bezel. Allow the epoxy to set. Assemble the watch in the reverse order that you disassembled it.
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7
Use the watchmaker's press to remove the crystal from post-1970 watches after the watch has been disassembled except for the crystal still attached to the bezel. Place the crystal and bezel on the pad, or bottom die, face up. Place the top die of the press where it meets the crystal. Ensure the top die is centered on the crystal. Ensure the proper size die covers the crystal, but does not overlap it.
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Press the top die onto the crystal until it pops loose. A plastic gasket secures the crystal and also will pop out. Install the new crystal. Ensure the bottom die of the press is flat side up. Place the gasket on the crystal in the bezel. Place them face down on the pad. Use the top die of the press to gently pressure the crystal into the bezel. Assemble the watch.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice first on a cheap watch you don't mind ruining.
Never force anything on a watch, and don't pry apart stubborn parts. Serious damage could result.
