SSTEEL 0 Posted December 11, 2013 Almost shat me pants Tested a BP SD to 3ATM and noticed a small leak from the crown, so removed, and greased the o-rings. Tried testing again, and following Bergeons guidelines, which are to increase pressure in the chamber whilst the watch is hanging over the water, then once the required pressure is reached, leave for three minutes BEFORE submerging the watch, and simultaneously releasing the pressure via the release valve. I did exactly this, but just as I was lowering the watch after the elapsed three minutes, pop, the crystal blows off. Obviously still a leak somewhere. Need to investigate, and check the gaskets more closely in case any are split. When it popped I almost fell off my chair, gave me a right fright as this is my crystal popping cherry popper as it were :P Half of the watch was under the water when it popped, but luckily due to my quick action of extracting it, all appears to be ok, removed water from dial with a blower, and then inspected inside, and its dry, and still running. So I guess I need to seal this crystal properly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyBlue 538 Posted December 11, 2013 Be honest Mick, you did... you actually shat in your kecks, didn't you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted December 11, 2013 Erm, no comment :P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ANDMAN.ELLIPSIS 0 Posted December 11, 2013 Remarkable work.... I am in awe of what you do to these reps..... and to think i'm still learning how to tell the time.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted December 11, 2013 Everyone has to start somewhere my friend We were all newbies once Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 994 Posted December 11, 2013 That is why you do a dry run above the water! Go thru a pressurise, wait and release cycle without submerging the watch. If the crystal is going to pop it will do so then before it gets anywhere near the water. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted December 11, 2013 That is why you do a dry run above the water! Go thru a pressurise, wait and release cycle without submerging the watch. If the crystal is going to pop it will do so then before it gets anywhere near the water. Tried testing again, and following Bergeons guidelines, which are to increase pressure in the chamber whilst the watch is hanging over the water, then once the required pressure is reached, leave for three minutes BEFORE submerging the watch, and simultaneously releasing the pressure via the release valve. I did exactly this, but just as I was lowering the watch after the elapsed three minutes, pop, the crystal blows off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted December 14, 2013 Update on this watch. I replaced the crystal gasket for a new one, and the crystal was still able to pop out quite easily when pushed from inside, so I got the Resi-Bond out. Now having applied the resi-bond around the gasket, and mating areas, its got quite messy due to the poor applicator nozzle. I have managed to wipe some excess way for now with a damp cloth, mainly from the inside of the crystal. I have placed the watch with the crystal face up, and placed some weight to the crystal over night, and will continue some initial tests today. I feel the leak is the tube, so will remove that and seal it up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 994 Posted December 14, 2013 That is why you do a dry run above the water! Go thru a pressurise, wait and release cycle without submerging the watch. If the crystal is going to pop it will do so then before it gets anywhere near the water. Tried testing again, and following Bergeons guidelines, which are to increase pressure in the chamber whilst the watch is hanging over the water, then once the required pressure is reached, leave for three minutes BEFORE submerging the watch, and simultaneously releasing the pressure via the release valve. I did exactly this, but just as I was lowering the watch after the elapsed three minutes, pop, the crystal blows off. No, according to your post above you submerged the watch at the same time you released the pressure. You are supposed to do a complete dry run, ie: release the pressure with the watch out of the water, check for crystal displacement and the re-pressurise and lower the watch into the water before releasing pressure. Also, never allow the pressure to hit zero with the watch still in the water if there is any sign of a leak. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted December 14, 2013 I have followed the Bergeon instruction to the letter Col. After the three minutes observation, this step is indicated.. Submerge watch in water, and release the pressure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LightGeek 25 Posted December 14, 2013 Fun! I remember that mine popped afterwards while resting on the table. That was shocking, having a crystal fly across the room. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twofake 0 Posted December 14, 2013 I popped my cherry crystal a while ago as well. Still waiting for my RWG order with my crystal press as well as uv glue and the other glue they sell. Hard to believe that the crystal seal alone holds the crystal in a gen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 994 Posted December 14, 2013 I have followed the Bergeon instruction to the letter Col. After the three minutes observation, this step is indicated.. Submerge watch in water, and release the pressure. And the instructions are wrong. ALWAYS do an above the water test first including depressurisation, repressurise and then do a submerged test. After removal hold the watch to your ear and unscrew the crown while listening for escaping air. Sometimes the watch will pressurise and not leak out again as Light Geek discovered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BentleySharp 0 Posted December 14, 2013 I popped my cherry crystal a while ago as well. Still waiting for my RWG order with my crystal press as well as uv glue and the other glue they sell. Hard to believe that the crystal seal alone holds the crystal in a gen. I guess that's the difference you get between $400 and $4000 :P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted December 14, 2013 I have followed the Bergeon instruction to the letter Col. After the three minutes observation, this step is indicated.. Submerge watch in water, and release the pressure. And the instructions are wrong. ALWAYS do an above the water test first including depressurisation, repressurise and then do a submerged test. After removal hold the watch to your ear and unscrew the crown while listening for escaping air. Sometimes the watch will pressurise and not leak out again as Light Geek discovered. Noted mate, and have been doing just that since this scare lol. Can't be too careful when using this type of equipment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olly 0 Posted December 14, 2013 Hahaha i can imagine mate ! That made my laugh, Learn my your mistakes and misfortunes ! Was it your watch or someone else's ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted December 14, 2013 Hahaha i can imagine mate ! That made my laugh, Learn my your mistakes and misfortunes ! Was it your watch or someone else's ? Its a watch I'm working on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olly 0 Posted December 14, 2013 Oh dear, Hope it's all good now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted December 14, 2013 Working on it mate, cracked out the resibond Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 994 Posted December 14, 2013 Ask Offshore about the look on my face when the xtal popped out of Rooster's WM9 LV (which he had yet to even set eyes upon) under the water. And yes, that was after a dry cycle so it can still happen and is a good reason to use only demineralised water in a tester. A thorough drying was all that was required since the MVT barely got wet. I tend to do the depressurise very quickly on the dry test now so if it's going to go it will go dry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted March 3, 2014 I can imagine Col. Just had my second crystal pop, and it was really funny this time as my wife came up to the bench whilst I carried out a 6ATM test on a gold DateJust. POP!!!!! Wife screamed :lmao: Bezel, and crystal came away from the case. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReplicaFromDownunder 2 Posted March 3, 2014 My Crystal once popped out of my DSSD while I was on an airplane on an international flight. I was sleeping on sleeping pills and it woke my wife up. lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted March 3, 2014 The victim.. Once I'm done doing a better job than that of our Chinese friends, this watch shall be very waterproof Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ado213 0 Posted March 8, 2014 Hey Micky, just imagine the fun you will have at 10 bar !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted March 8, 2014 Hey Micky, just imagine the fun you will have at 10 bar !! Hell yes! Looking forward to buying those parts to convert my 5555 too Ad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
