Help! Retaining ring advice needed!

[hanski 40]

 

Help! I’m very close to wrapping up a 1675 Cartel project watch: 

• Reshaped and polished Cartel case
• Raffles flat case back
• Clark’s 25-116
• Watchman Bezel Assembly (re-polished)
• Faded Clark’s Pepsi insert
• Raffles all red gmt hand
• DG3804B movement
• Ruby Dial (relumed and new dial feet epoxied on)
• Raffles hands (relumed)

 

Like I said, I’m very close to getting this done but I’ve bent two retaining rings out of shape trying to press them over my replacement crystal. I’ve tried a few different vises and plastic tubes but nothing worked yet. 

 

The crystal fits easily over the rehaute. It isn’t tight but it isn’t floppy. It would fall off if I turned it upside down. 

 

Before putting the crystal on the watch, the retaining ring will fit over the crystal, albeit it tightly. Need to use something to push it on (like a tube) but can do this by hand. 

 

When I get the crystal on, align the cyclops, then start pushing on the retaining ring, I get it level and and semi tight by hand. Then I set up a gig with a woodworker vise or clamp and squeeze away. 

 

At this point, the retaining ring slides on with great force, usually unevenly. I can squeeze it almost all the way down but it must be at this point that the retaining ring is bent out of shape. 

 

Seeing that it didn’t work, I disassemble and find the retaining ring has pressed a ridge/groove in one half of the crystal near the base (where it would press all the way down). 

 

I’m ordering another new retaining ring to try yet again. In hopes to not waste more money on this process, can someone help me with so guidance, tutorial, or otherwise suggest how to do this better. 

 

For what it’s worth, I did it just fine with my 1680. I’m struggling to figure out the differences and what I’m messing up. 

 

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

[J!m 289]

I made an aluminum die for my use. The plastic ones are crap. 

How is the finish on the inside of the ring? There should also be a small lead-in bevel on the underside ID to assist with it going on. 

Finally, if you scored your crystal, I’d get a new one. Clark’s are cheap. 

PS the GMTs use a different bezel assembly than 1680 etc. on gens anyway. I haven’t built a GMT yet but I’ve done a lot of 13’s, 12’s, 1680’s. 

[NCRich 13,792]

I use a crystal press.  The correct tool for the job.

[hanski 40]

13 minutes ago, NCRich said:

I use a crystal press.  The correct tool for the job.

Do you do any prep to reduce the OD of the crystal or ID of the retaining ring? 

22 minutes ago, J!m said:

I made an aluminum die for my use. The plastic ones are crap. 

How is the finish on the inside of the ring? There should also be a small lead-in bevel on the underside ID to assist with it going on. 

Finally, if you scored your crystal, I’d get a new one. Clark’s are cheap. 

PS the GMTs use a different bezel assembly than 1680 etc. on gens anyway. I haven’t built a GMT yet but I’ve done a lot of 13’s, 12’s, 1680’s. 

Thanks! I've been trying to source a metal pipe with 31mm ID and 3mm walls - should match up nearly perfect with these rings. 

I'll inspect the retaining rings when I get a chance later tonite - I don't recall seeing any bevel. I can add a bit of one to the next ring I purchase. 

The 1675 Cartel is a pain of a build - everything needs tweaking. 1680 was much, much easier - and I even swapped out the A2836 for a SW200 (replaced cannon heights with H5, used a ETA 2836 DW, and increased the dial spacer to make up for the height difference). 

[NCRich 13,792]

No prep.  I just press it on.  But I don't know the dimensions of your retaining ring.  If its too tight, sand the sides of the plexi a bit.

[Logixa 8]

What rich said, a crystal press and a little sanding is the way to go mate.