Hello All,

This is my first post here. I look forward to learning more about watches on this forum.

I just bought a WWII Bulova and the crystal has either shrunk from its former size or needs some kind of seal to hold it in place. Here is a link to the Ebay auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...geName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Does this watch need a some kind of seal or do the acrylic crystals shrink over time?

Thanks!

It has been a long time since I worked on one of these. But it seems to me that the crystals were of the flex-fit type.

Old yellow plastic like the crystal on your new watch will cause hands to rust and should be replaced with a new one.

Hi Nathan,
When you get the watch, post some pics of the crystal with the sizes. I have many old crystals in a watch cabinet but I really would need the crystal number or sizes to maybe match one for you.

Ray

Hi,

I do have the watch now. As soon as I get a chance I will put some pictures on.

Have you determined yet on what needs fixing in the movement? I always flinch when I see auctions where they use variations of the silly "watch is overwound" explanation.

Please be very careful not to touch the dial. The brown paint on the numbers and hands is radium and its radioactivity is still full strength even though it does not glow. The lack of glow just means that the zinc sulphide that was mixed with it to make the glow has been burnt out by the radium. You really don't want some specks of it to stick to your fingers and then somehow wind up in your mouth or breathed into your lungs as that could cause unpleasant things down the road.

The balance wheel is messed up. I don't know if it needs a new one or what.

I am a little nervous about even handling this watch again do to the radium dust-- I had thought when I bought it that the crystal was OK. Missed that part in the description. When I got it I noticed the front was taped on and messed with it, probably should have been more careful. I wonder if I should just have somebody that is used to the dangers of radium mess with it. Kinda scares me!

Nathan,

You may be able to send the dial and hands to International Dial Co. and they will redo the them using luminecent paint. No worries for you.

Steve

The crystal is easy too replace and should not cost but a few dollars ,,Staffs for the balance are easy too find and the balance complete is readly available also ..