In my searches for watches to mess with, I've ended up with several that have no crystal or broken crystals. Most are open face watches, some are hunters. I also have several dollar watches which I'd like to put a new crystal on and take to a local auction.

So... what's the procedure for re-crystaling these guys? I've seen the listings on ebay for tons of crystals, but how do I know which ones to buy?

Is this like hairspring work ... aka watch voo-doo... or can the average Joe (or Mike) replace a crystal? It seems to be needed so often that it should be something I'm able to do if I want to keep working with watches...

thanks!
Mike

Huge question! You don't give me much of a clue as to which watch sizes you are collecting. For the do it your self option, you will need to scoop up large quantities of crystals to insure having the correct one on hand. The popular sizes are getting harder and harder to find in glass, many choose to go with plastic.

OTOH, there are probably members here who could fit a crystal for you if you mailed them the bezel.

Dollar watches in my experience are not cost effective in replacing crystals, but if your goal is to restore the watch for love of horology, then cudo's to you.

Another option is to find a land based organization near you that has hobbyists who have been at it for a while. Trading skills and parts is commonplace in that situation.

Happy hunting,

Bill Kapp

Mike,

I'm kind of in the same boat you are. We had a discussion about installing crystals led by Chris Abell which was very helpful to me as I had a loose crystal and didn't need to get a new one. I do not know of a source, or the terminology, such as style, but, I could measure it with a dial caliper if I knew what to order. Maybe someone could help out here to let us both, and probably others, how to go about getting a new crystal.

Steve

Here is that other discussion: Installing a new crystal

I too would be interested to know if it was as simple as measuring the diameter. I had always thought thickness and shape were also issues. I know on the hunters they are usualy very thin and if they are not arced enough, they won't clear the hands, and if too much, they will get crushed by the cover. Trying to press down on a thin hunter to get it to snap in the bezel without breaking it is quite a chalange also.

That is why I thought you might have to either have a large selection in the approximate range or else send the bezel to someone who had such a selection.

I have always used the option of taking it to a local watchmaker. I used to have an assortment, but I am ashamed to admit how many of those thin hunter crystals I broke trying to fit them. It really requires a practiced touch.

Bill Kapp

Thanks for the quick responses! I'm going to read through the suggested info this evening and get started...

Here's one question: When I see 48mm on a crystal measurment... is that also the measurement of the dial it goes over? In other words... I measure the dial to get the size of the crystal? And on a hunter, to I measure the bezel it goes in, or the dial there as well?

On the dollar watches... I've seen even non-running dollar watches bring significantly more money at local auctions than you can buy them for on ebay. It seems some non watch people don't care so much about quality and just want an old watch! I figure that if I can make a couple look nice and run well, I might make enough to buy somehting nice!

Thanks!
Mike

Mike, Creativity is well over half of the solution to this issue.

The "bulk" crystals on eBay are not reliable, often they are chipped so badly they are not usable at all, and almost always they will be sizes not common to our needs.

Over a year ago, I bought a crystal cabinet with about 6,000 pocket watch size crystals as part of a "watchmaker's estate" here in Southern CA. I measure the watch crystal rim as shown below, and using a size chart, I had little trouble fitting crystals to the first few hundred Open-Faced watches.

Now, with many "common sizes" depleted, often I Grind the crystal to fit on a water lubed glass wheel (from the same estate). So for open face watches, I will be able to fit many crystals of my own watches for some time, albeit more and more time-consuming.

For the "Hunter Case" crystals, there are myriads of "dome" variations that are required by the equally large variations of cover clearances on those cases, meaning . . . . even with a cabinet full of crystals, "good luck" finding one that works at all, as those are VERY unfriendly to grinding.

I do have one crystal seller who provides crystals by size designated while the supply lasts, and I will try to find that contact for this thread.

For the dollar watches, you may have to find a lot of "used" watches with crystals that can be popped in and out for replacement.

Crystals are a constant cause of trouble find the correct size and style as Dave says and now resorting to grinding down to fit, I have 1000s of crystals but when it comes down to finding the exact size shape etc for each job I have a limited choice remember they stepped in 1/16” increments. Also if you should buy a job lot form ebay you may find that they have picked over and removed the know good high value sizes and you have a expensive pile of junk even if you a equally rare honest trader who is selling a old watch estate as is he will of course (as with any used parts) have depleted the stock of most common sizes. HC are even harder to find in the correct sizes. I recently got a small supply of perfect S16 RR size crystals as they are so scarce I charge a premium rate for these. One more point you will also find a high number of old crystal have etch marks form the label reducing your stock further (links on removing this on our site).

Here is something to think about, my basic crystal cabinet has 16 major sizes, graduated in 1/16” that makes 256 crystal, most sizes are divided again into 4 different heights or more + styles (not to divide agian in to OF & HC), so the chances of buying the right one that you and everyone else needs on ebay are slim. What may look like a huge pile of crystals for a few hundred dollars may well not be the bargain it appears to be!. I have done this and gained 5% of the pile to be what you wanted the rest stored and may never be used, until I am gone and they reappear on ebay.

Here is a source for new glass crystals. I'm sure William would be more than happy to help you out.

Larry,

Any idea what a reasonale price to pay for a crystal is?

Steve

I think William charges $10.95 + Shipping for his crystals. That's the going rate for them right now.

That is a pretty fair price, and the more you can buy in one group the better the deal.

Okay... I clearly need to get a micrometer. Any advice on brand, size, type, etc? I don't want to spend much, but I still want it to be as useful as possible to this hobby. Ebay has them ranging from a couple bucks to hundreds!

Also... I'm a step closer to changing out friction jewels! I bought a copy of the Seitz instruction manual... Now I'm watching for the machine... I'm scared that if I buy one with a couple missing pushers, the odds are astronomically good that I'll need all the missing ones!

Thanks!
Mike

Mike, I use my Dial Verniers for measuring most all parts on a watch I am working on.

Micro Mark (who carries many very nicewwatchmakers and hobbyist tools) has one on sale now for $16.95. go to;

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET...ype=Product&ID=80973

WARNING, the one thing they DO NOT SELL are Watchmaker Grade screwdrivers.

Mike,

If I might suggest, if you have a few extra dollars to spend get a digital dial caliper as it usually will measure in English or Metric. This will save you the time of converting your measured result to metric for crystal sizes.

Steve

Thanks for the link! Micrometer is ordered.

David... do you think it would be possible to adjust down the size of a plastic crystal by spinning it (somehow) and holding a cutting blade of some kind to the outside edge, slightly cutting away the material... similar to what you've described for the glass?

Hi Mike, I buy a lot of glass crystals on ebay from a user name JRClocker. He has crystals he sells by lot. He will usually have a set of say, 17 thru 17 15/16. He will also tell the MM size that they fit. I started out buy a few sets from him that fit the sizes I use. Everyone is right about getting a lot of ones that you don't need. I have found that out of a set of say 14 size, I will use mostly may 3 of the sizes over and over. However sooner or later I will you one of the others. If you want a specific size, Study up on what each crystal set covers in mm. Once in a while you see on ebay someone selling individual crystals that tell the crystal size and the mm size. Hunter cases seem to take 6, 7 and 8 height . Different manufacturer of crystals have that may be a little larger or smaller than the other manufacturer. Try to stick to the most popular available to cover you needs. Hope this helps your with the situation. Bill