I would like to order a few spare crystals like the 1.5 mm mi-concave type made by Whites Crystal Mfg and am asking what would be the most common sizes to have on hand for 16sz Hamilton 992B, 950B and 16sz Illinois Bunn Specials? Thanks Jack Williams

Jack - The 43.3mm = 19 3/16 . . . and the 43.4mm = 19 4/16 are the two most common and also the 43.1mm = 19 2/16 is sometimes right - these are the sizes I have found fit mine.

43.1 to 43.4 depending on case .

Jack,

43.3, 43.4, 43.5 are very common with many factory Hamilton cases. These sizes never go unused if you collect or repair these RR's.

William

Elize, It really is according to what cases you are going to fit them to. I have all the way from 43.0 mm to 43.9 mm and have used them all. I have seen a Model 11 case take two to three different sizes for instance.

That is one of the reasons I use William's crystals. Other than the fact that he uses the best glass, and his measurements are right on, he also will do them in the .1 mm increments, where a lot of the manufacturers will not. Meaning they might do 43.0 mm, 43.2 mm 43.4mm, but THEY WILL NOT DO the 43.1, or the 43.3, and so on.

Regards,
Larry

Jack, Larry,

I will also size any of my crystals to within 0.02mm increments if requested.

William

That's good to know William, Thanks!

Elzie, here is an example of what I mean about being able to get the crystals from William in the 1 mm increments. I just did a Hamilton Model #11 case tonight. I could have used a 43.5 mm crystal, but because I had the 43.6 crystal, I was able to put the crystal in the freezer, and put the bezel on a light bulb, and within five minutes I had my crystal in the bezel without using any glue at all.

Also notice it is a 43.6 mm. You really have to go up a little higher to at least the 43.6. I got that advise from William a few years ago, and it has served me well.

Regards.
Larry

Larry, Thank you! That is very interesting and good information to have. I'll be placing an order with William soon and try it next time I need to install one.

Yes Sir. Just be sure to use some kind of cloves when you do it cause that bezel is HOT!!

Also a good thing to remember is that the crystal has to be the size that your measurement is on the bezel when you mesure it. If the crystal feels like it will fit but "not quite" that is when you can just put the crystal in the freezer, and the bezel on the light bulb. Just be quick about it when you take the crystal out of the freezer. You take the crystal to the bezel, as the bezel will shrink FAST as it is cooling. so you have to be quick about it. It will really be a tight fit once the bezel has cooled. I actually had a crystal crack one time when it cooled, it was so tight.

William, I got my order yesterday. Just in time for a job I was finishing up too! Thanks!!

Regards,
Larry

Larry your tips on refurbishing and fixing watches are absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing them. Im so selfish I hope you do a whole post someday. Lightbulb and freezer brilliant! Thanks again JMF

Thanks Jonathan. I really enjoy it, and like helping other people as I learn. In fact I don't know if you have seen it, but I did do a post on how to tighten bows here. Hope it's ok to show it here in this post. I don't mean to take away from your question Elzie.

Bow tightening plyers and how to use them

Many people have found this helpful also.

Regards,
Larry

No problem at all, Larry. That is excellent info on bows. I have two #6 cases with loose bows that I can't seem to get tight. My pliers are a little different from yours, but I probably have not been using them correctly so I'll definitely try your method! Thanks

Jack

If you have a problem and need help with them just let me know, and I can do them for you.

Regards,
Larry

Thanks, Larry. I'll definitely get w/you on this. Do you mind giving me an email address for a PM? Jack

larrylamphier@aol.com