Pam448 received with scratched plexi - UPDATE new plexi from eb*y fitted

[Necromancer 8]

Just received today from Ryan at InTime (not a TD here) this stunning Pam448 that I've been pondering over for a while.

 

Unfortunately, it arrived with two fairly deep scratches on the plexi crystal (see photo below)

 

I know about PolyWatch and toothpaste etc being able to remove swirls and light scratches but does anyone have any experience of repairing deep scratches like these? (I can clearly feel that the scratches are deepish with my fingernail)

 

I've informed the dealer just today and am hoping he may offer a replacement plexi (the scratches did not show up on the QC pictures)

 

If he does send a replacement, how easy is it to remove/refit or is it a specialist job with special tools needed?

 

Any help you guys can provide is appreciated, cheers

 

[kennycoder 97]

Use nail polisher. Usually it has two levels of "sand paper". I use the softest one. Brush until the scratches are gone. Then your crystal will become quite foggy. Afterwards use PolyWatch to make it shine again.

There was a guide somewhere but I can't seem to find it.

[kennycoder 97]

Aha! Found it:

There you go mate:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f11/how-diy-cheap-crystal-repair-scratch-removal-tutorial-420568.html

[Genius 281]

Or put a few more scratches in it, plexis will always pick them up and I think it suits the vintage style, if you don't like that you could always swap for a sapphire and be scratch free forever

[Necromancer 8]

Aha! Found it:

There you go mate:

http://forums.watchu...ial-420568.html

 

 

Thanks for that kenny - I'm a bit scared to use my wifes nail buffer on my new watch, but what do I have to lose.....

[machiavegli 6]

Necro!!

 

Nail buffer? Don't do it!!!!

 

I had same issue once& researched the forum. Turns out Cape Cod Cloth fixes plexi scratches in a jiffy. I can't take credit for the idea. But try it and be prepared to be amazed.

 

-Mach

[Necromancer 8]

Necro!!

 

Nail buffer? Don't do it!!!!

 

I had same issue once& researched the forum. Turns out Cape Cod Cloth fixes plexi scratches in a jiffy. I can't take credit for the idea. But try it and be prepared to be amazed.

 

-Mach

 

 

Cape Cod - really?

 

I'll give it a try Mach but the 2 scratches must be about 0.5mm into the 2.8mm plexi

 

I'm really thinking that nothing will work except to replace the whole plexi.

 

Will let ya know mate - thanks

[Necromancer 8]

Thanks for the tips and advice.

 

I spent around six hours today starting with the safest options (cape cod, brasso, polywatch, nail buffer),

then ending up with trying 1000/1500/2000/2500/3000 grade wet n dry paper.

 

The plexi is still nice and clear but the two scratches haven't shifted much at all.

On closer examination with a loupe, they look to be more like small cracks going about 0.5mm into the plexi.

The marks are fairly noticeable, especially in bright light when they cast a shadow onto the dial.

 

Ryan at InTime (the supplying dealer and a TD at the 'other place') has offered to sort it if I return the watch to China,

but I've never done this before and I'm a little worried about taking the risk.

 

So I'm asking more experienced members for opinions - would you return it, have an expert replace the crystal,

buy the gear required to replace it yourself or simply try and learn to live with it as it is?

 

Thanks again.

[Markrfc 3]

You can just polish them out using plexi polish around £3-4 on amazon.

[JSJ 0]

You can just polish them out using plexi polish around £3-4 on amazon.

I'm searching 'plexi polish' on Amazon and getting 'Polish for Dummies', 'Create Your Own DIY Miyuki Glass Bead Ring Kit - Courtly Amethyst' (wtf??) and a fucking ceiling lamp.

 

Have I broken Amazon or is it mebbe called something else? I want some.

 

Anyway I've bought the Miyuki thing cos I've got no incoming.

[Markrfc 3]

Try polywatch

 

Here you go

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polywatch-Acrylic-Watch-Glass-Polish/dp/B001JOV8KW

 

[JSJ 0]

Try polywatchHere you go

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polywatch-Acrylic-Watch-Glass-Polish/dp/B001JOV8KW

Damn, that was too simple, thanks mate

[Necromancer 8]

Thanks for the tips and advice.

 

I spent around six hours today starting with the safest options (cape cod, brasso, polywatch, nail buffer),

then ending up with trying 1000/1500/2000/2500/3000 grade wet n dry paper.

 

 

Try polywatch

 

Here you go

 

http://www.amazon.co...h/dp/B001JOV8KW

 

Thanks Mark - but as you can see above, I've already tried it (among other things) and they're just too deep into the plexi

[Necromancer 8]

It seems the scratches are far too deep to polish out so I'm going to replace the plexi.

 

Any Pam experts who can point me in the direction of the correct or suitable replacement for a 448?

 

Can't find conclusive info on google.

 

Thanks guys

[UmpaHimself 223]

It seems the scratches are far too deep to polish out so I'm going to replace the plexi.

 

Any Pam experts who can point me in the direction of the correct or suitable replacement for a 448?

 

Can't find conclusive info on google.

 

Thanks guys

Yeah, looks much to deep for a simple polish out. Even with an extensive multi-grit sanding session. I would either send it back to Ryan or have him send you a replacement crystal. That's why you purchase from a TD. Plexis can and will get swirls and scratches but you dont want a new watch to come that way!

Edited July 26, 2015 by UmpaHimself

[Necromancer 8]

It seems the scratches are far too deep to polish out so I'm going to replace the plexi.

 

Any Pam experts who can point me in the direction of the correct or suitable replacement for a 448?

 

Can't find conclusive info on google.

 

Thanks guys

Yeah, looks much to deep for a simple polish out. Even with an extensive multi-grit sanding session. I would either send it back to Ryan or have him send you a replacement crystal. That's why you purchase from a TD. Plexis can and will get swirls and scratches but you dont want a new watch to come that way!

 

Yeah mate, swirls and light scratches that I've caused are just part of the vintage look, but as you say, I don't expect it on a new watch.

 

I've obviously been in touch with Ryan who has offered to send me a replacement plexi at a cost of $25 which he can't guarantee will be scratchless!

He also said I could return it to be sorted.

 

I'm not risking having a watch lost or seized for the sake of a plexi and being a stubborn old mule, I refused to pay the extra $25 for a plexi that should never have been sent out like that.

 

I've bought from Ryan four times previously with no problems, but this one bugs me as the scratches (or cracks to be more accurate) are so blatantly obvious. The strange thing is that they didnt show on the QC pics. He said he'll ask Jordan in QC to take more care in future!

 

I often wondered why InTime were not a TD here and I suppose you only find out how far your TD will go to help when you have your first problem.

 

Anyway, I'm not looking to discredit a dealer here, simply looking for advice on sorting it myself.

 

Cheers

[UmpaHimself 223]

Yeah mate, swirls and light scratches that I've caused are just part of the vintage look, but as you say, I don't expect it on a new watch.

 

I've obviously been in touch with Ryan who has offered to send me a replacement plexi at a cost of $25 which he can't guarantee will be scratchless!

He also said I could return it to be sorted.

 

I'm not risking having a watch lost or seized for the sake of a plexi and being a stubborn old mule, I refused to pay the extra $25 for a plexi that should never have been sent out like that.

 

I've bought from Ryan four times previously with no problems, but this one bugs me as the scratches (or cracks to be more accurate) are so blatantly obvious. The strange thing is that they didnt show on the QC pics. He said he'll ask Jordan in QC to take more care in future!

 

I often wondered why InTime were not a TD here and I suppose you only find out how far your TD will go to help when you have your first problem.

 

Anyway, I'm not looking to discredit a dealer here, simply looking for advice on sorting it myself.

 

Cheers

Hmm, I've bought from him before and it was a very fast and straight forward transaction but I wouldn't like either of those answers myself. Are you a member at RWI? If so I would contact a mod to see what they say. I don't see why it's so difficult to send you a plexi. It doesn't even cost them the labor to fix it themselves which they state they can't guarantee would come scratchless? Just a bit of bubble wrap should protect it, I really dont understand. I know dealing with TDs can be difficult at times but sending a crystal should be a no-brainer.

[nofitstate 27]

This might be just best resolved by paying the $25 for the new plexi and moving on. Had a similar thing happen to me once. The watch now looks great, but at my expense and I no longer shop with the TD.

[elp 26]

Yeah mate, swirls and light scratches that I've caused are just part of the vintage look, but as you say, I don't expect it on a new watch.

 

I've obviously been in touch with Ryan who has offered to send me a replacement plexi at a cost of $25 which he can't guarantee will be scratchless!

He also said I could return it to be sorted.

 

I'm not risking having a watch lost or seized for the sake of a plexi and being a stubborn old mule, I refused to pay the extra $25 for a plexi that should never have been sent out like that.

 

I've bought from Ryan four times previously with no problems, but this one bugs me as the scratches (or cracks to be more accurate) are so blatantly obvious. The strange thing is that they didnt show on the QC pics. He said he'll ask Jordan in QC to take more care in future!

 

I often wondered why InTime were not a TD here and I suppose you only find out how far your TD will go to help when you have your first problem.

 

Anyway, I'm not looking to discredit a dealer here, simply looking for advice on sorting it myself.

 

Cheers

Hmm, I've bought from him before and it was a very fast and straight forward transaction but I wouldn't like either of those answers myself. Are you a member at RWI? If so I would contact a mod to see what they say. I don't see why it's so difficult to send you a plexi. It doesn't even cost them the labor to fix it themselves which they state they can't guarantee would come scratchless? Just a bit of bubble wrap should protect it, I really dont understand. I know dealing with TDs can be difficult at times but sending a crystal should be a no-brainer.

 

+1

[Necromancer 8]

I've just been searching other threads for info on a replacement and it lead me to cousins uk

 

https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/acrylic-round-domed-watch-glasses

 

I'm sure they must have the one I need here but I'm unable to positively i.d. it.

 

They're a lot cheaper than paying 25 bucks to the TD too.

 

Any Pam experts able to help please?

[elp 26]

Any reason why you wouldn't involve an RWI mod? USD 25 for a replacement plexi under the circumstances seems unfair, especially when you will be paying for the repair, and the "T" in TD cuts both ways - i.e. it's a status the forum bestows and maintains based on how the TD performs, including rectifying issues.

[TRANSPORTER 1]

Mate, if you can be without the watch for a couple days then this will solvevyour problems,i dont know what tools or experience you have so ill explain this as best i can, if you have the tool which I suspect you dont just lift the crystal out, failing this, you will have to takeout the movmovement then using your thumbs push the crystal out of the movement. Once out measure it both diameter and height, ie low dome high dome etc, once you have the measurements oreder one off cousins, youll have it in 48hrs ok then just take the watch with movement fitted to any watchmaker and the new crystal and for under a fiver they will fit the new crystal for you ok.

[Necromancer 8]

Mate, if you can be without the watch for a couple days then this will solvevyour problems,i dont know what tools or experience you have so ill explain this as best i can, if you have the tool which I suspect you dont just lift the crystal out, failing this, you will have to takeout the movmovement then using your thumbs push the crystal out of the movement. Once out measure it both diameter and height, ie low dome high dome etc, once you have the measurements oreder one off cousins, youll have it in 48hrs ok then just take the watch with movement fitted to any watchmaker and the new crystal and for under a fiver they will fit the new crystal for you ok.

 

Thanks Transporter,

Is it one of those claw type crystal lift gadgets that compresses it slightly?

Can the replacement be fitted using the same tool or is it more specialist than that?

 

Cheers again

[TRANSPORTER 1]

Yep thats the tool, it should come with the slide grip aswell which will allow you to pick up the new crystal at the correct height that then allows you to fit it into the case before releasing the compression.

[KeNnY 29]

Using Acetone or Nail polish remover may result of cracking of the crystal