Aloha Friends: I have enjoyed reading the forum and recently joined IHC. I have a question regarding crystals. I bought several Size 18 watches on eBay to practice work on (reasonably priced) and a couple of them have chips on the edges of the crystal. I have seen some of the thick old crystals scratched from use, almost to the point of being frosted. But these chips on the edges look odd to me, and I wonder if they were from someone trying to force the wrong sized crystal into the bezel.

Any thoughts? Do crystal edges get chipped from honest use? Or is this likely a result of bad workmanship?

Thanks!
Bob Godbey
Honolulu

I am sure someone will have a better informed answer, but I know I have accidentally chipped of the edge of a crystal while mounted on the bezel by bumping into something with the watch in my pocket. I think the time I did that it was one of the very thick crystals that sticks up above the edge of the bezel.

By the way, welcome to the club too!

Tom

Aloha Bob and Welcome!

To me it sounds like someone has tried to reduce the size of a larger crystal to fit. Often folks will try to use coarse sandpaper or a standard grinding stone...all without coolant of any kind! It does work but will really make a mess out of the edge. Crystals can also be damaged, as you suspect, if forced into or out of an opening that is just a little too small.

William

Thanks, Tom and William!

Welcome Bob,

Mele Kalikimaka and Haoli Makahiki Hou from a fellow Islander. Da kine ono information you like here bra.

Braddah Steve

Mahalo, Braddah Steve!