FudgyDocker 3,499 Posted October 9, 2019 Well, I opened my Gen watch box the other day, to put away a watch. I had got a 5mm scratch on the mineral crystal on my Ingersoll a few days before (which really pissed me off), only I found THIS instead!After trawling through loads of websites looking for a replacement, I came up empty. It appears that you can only send these back to a service centre and pay some ridiculous cost to get it replaced. Left the watch disassembled, as the existing crystal didn't come out as I had intended.This meant that I couldn't exactly measure the old crystal correctly to size up for a new one. So I used the calipers to measure internally between the gasket, and round up to the nearest half mm. So I did a bit of hunting and eventually decided on a CousinsUK domed mineral crystal instead, for the princely sum of £2.50+VAT & delivery. Knowing my track record on attempted repairs, I bought two as "I'm bound to fuck up the first one". Also ordered a £10 crystal press from Amazon. Crystals arrived yesterday, so I unpacked them and inserted the first crystal as much as I could by hand & eye, selected the most suitable press adapters, after watching various YouTube videos on how to do it, and gently pressed it home with a satisfying click. Fuck me, FIRST TIME! Replaced the dial & movement assembly and braced myself for reinserting the stem. My track record on these is also not good, about 50% success. Gently pushed it in and felt a little resistance, so pushed gently on the release button and slowly rotated back and forth. Bingo! It slid in Here is the end result. Not a big deal for some here, who can breakdown and reassemble a movement in their sleep, but from my point of view a huge confidence boost and a real sense of achievement. It isn't quite how it was originally, but looks pretty bloody reasonable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadApple 13,081 Posted October 9, 2019 Is that fingerprint on the underside of the crystal ?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsg2013 17 Posted October 9, 2019 2 minutes ago, Badapple said: Is that fingerprint on the underside of the crystal ?? Looks lime "micro"-dust. Like putting a screen protector on the phone every damn time!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FudgyDocker 3,499 Posted October 9, 2019 6 minutes ago, Badapple said: Is that fingerprint on the underside of the crystal Bastard! You made me zoom in and look, as well! The dust is on the outside, luckily. However, the scratches on the insert at 10 & 11 are real. That's for another day. I can live with them for now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elp 26 Posted October 9, 2019 26 minutes ago, FudgyDocker said: Gently pushed it in and felt a little resistance, so pushed gently on the release button and slowly rotated back and forth. Bingo! It slid in Well done, thanks for the tip Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,285 Posted October 9, 2019 Xtal's upside down. That aside, good work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FudgyDocker 3,499 Posted October 9, 2019 13 minutes ago, TheFreckledTampon said: Xtal's upside down. I flipped it over, and now the canon pinion has snapped off and hands rattle around inside. FFS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,285 Posted October 9, 2019 8 minutes ago, FudgyDocker said: I flipped it over, and now the canon pinion has snapped off and hands rattle around inside. FFS! I only meant it needed rotating through 90 degrees.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FudgyDocker 3,499 Posted October 9, 2019 1 minute ago, TheFreckledTampon said: I only meant it needed rotating through 90 degrees.... How does "upside down" translate to "rotate through 90°"? It's ruined now.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abe Fromen 1,620 Posted October 9, 2019 38 minutes ago, elp said: Well done, thanks for the tip Just the tip? LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikosaldente 630 Posted October 9, 2019 Well done mate! Thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n18lld 656 Posted October 9, 2019 Jammy bastard. Congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadPickle 2,746 Posted October 9, 2019 £2.50 for the crystal? i think you've just doubled the value of the watch now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,501 Posted October 9, 2019 Well done, I killed my seven Friday glass once before finally put the second one in... At 30$ each as the only available one from Ali had that price :/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FudgyDocker 3,499 Posted October 9, 2019 2 hours ago, pickledbeetroot said: £2.50 for the crystal? i think you've just doubled the value of the watch now Ouch, that's a wee bit harsh! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites