449 Plexi Replacement

[paulvillo]

Hi guys, recently dropped a ZF 449 on the floor.
The plexi cracked slightly near the bezel, and popped out
Without much thinking I quickly popped it back in, with the crack pointing down @7 believing I could actually live with the "vintagized" plexiglass....
Needles to say, I can't :lol:

So I started looking for a replacement and found very few options, and Vintage Watch Parts was the only one that had Noob, DSN, Jackson and Silix/River.

My 449 is from ZF, so I have no idea if any of the aforementioned will fit.

Noob's are 372 plexi's for $25

http://www.vintagewatchparts.co.uk/store/noob/137-372-plexi.html

While the other DSN, Jackson and Silix/River are mostly for the 6152/6154 models, plus T25 and T24 standard and "authentic" size plexi's.

To start with, I have no idea which one of these is going to fit the ZF 449 rad case, so any help here will be greatly appreciated.

Then there's part two: the plexi removal.
The floor took care of it the first time, but once I get a proper replacement how do I pop it out again?
Do I need to uncase the movement/ dial?
Will add the other plexi details below.
Thanks in advance guys!

 

[paulvillo]

Here are plexi options I've found:


Jackson's

Davidsen's

and Silix/ River

 

[replikmaster]

As far as I know you don't need to take the movement out. The crystal is atached to the bezel, that you'll have to take off.


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[Sparky28]

I thought it is friction fitted if that makes sense,
I thought it was clamped tight then released once it's in position on the watch......I know what I mean anyway[emoji6]


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[paulvillo]

As far as I know you don't need to take the movement out. The crystal is atached to the bezel, that you'll have to take off.
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Not necessarily my friend. Just as Sparky pointed out, I'll have to clamp it out with a proper crystal lift.

I thought it is friction fitted if that makes sense,
I thought it was clamped tight then released once it's in position on the watch......I know what I mean anyway[emoji6]
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That's it! Found a few videos plexi removal and dug up a few options at Esslinger.
Problem now is to find out what's the correct plexi size in millimeters as this tool's jaws open from 12 mm to 37 mm....

 

[Sparky28]

Aliexpress bro or Banggood....I'm sure I've seen them on there

Good luck & I hope you get sorted


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[paulvillo]

Thanks bro, will check Ali but my issue is more with the size and shape of the plexi I need to find.

Just used this ruler app to try and get a reference but geez..

Almost 46mm?!?

 

[Sparky28]

Thanks bro, will check Ali but my issue is more with the size and shape of the plexi I need to find.

Just used this ruler app to try and get a reference but geez..

Almost 46mm?!?

C'mon guys,
With all the knowledge available on this forum with the members then there's got to be someone to help this guy out.
I think patience is the key mate,Someone will definitely help you out[emoji6]


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[replikmaster]

I said that because my 424 came with the CALIFORNIA written on the rehaut misaligned.
The watchsmith took off the bezel with a razor blade and the crystal came together (mine has saphire instead of plexy).


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[shoes]

Just a thought but as you have the original can you simply measure it with a micrometer or accurate ruler? Rather than measuring the case and getting it wrong


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[paulvillo]

C'mon guys,
With all the knowledge available on this forum with the members then there's got to be someone to help this guy out.
I think patience is the key mate,Someone will definitely help you out[emoji6]


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Thanks mate, truly appreciated.
Maybe I've been asking for too much tech help lately with my PAMs. Even though I do my best to try and pay it back with pics and threads of what I've accomplished with the shared knowledge

 

[paulvillo]

I said that because my 424 came with the CALIFORNIA written on the rehaut misaligned.
The watchsmith took off the bezel with a razor blade and the crystal came together (mine has saphire instead of plexy).


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I see your point. Not sure if it's a plexi exclusive, but can't find a slot/ spot to try and pry the bezel out... Does the 424 has one, say, like on the 44 Luminor bezel?

 

[paulvillo]

Just a thought but as you have the original can you simply measure it with a micrometer or accurate ruler? Rather than measuring the case and getting it wrong


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I'm overseas mate, the ruler app was all that I had.
Just picked up an (aham) "accurate" ruler with the concierge and tried measuring the crystal:

It's around 40mm (so yeah, the ruler app sucks bad [emoji23])
As you may see, from the top the crack doesn't look so bad
And unlike the 372, the 449 plexi is slightly domed.
So I'm considering the Silix by the pics only, will try to get a reply from Vintage Watch Parts.

 

[mysterio]

Maybe try asking the TD from where the watch came from (or your favorite TD maybe he can find out)? They can ask the repair guy who may be able to provide you with the answers you need. Good luck!

 

[shoes]

I will have a dig through my spares drawer as I may have a spare plexi and can measure it for you


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[Sparky28]

Thanks mate, truly appreciated.
Maybe I've been asking for too much tech help lately with my PAMs. Even though I do my best to try and pay it back with pics and threads of what I've accomplished with the shared knowledge

Hey bro,
We are all in it together,We are all constantly learning & NOBODY knows it all....ahem...there maybe a few exceptions to that,
You know who you are[emoji6]
Anyway the vast majority of members do genuinely help each other out,You should never be afraid to ask bro


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[shoes]

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[shoes]

I cannot find my spare plexi right now so measured mine and it's 40.97mm I am guessing 41.00 once inside the bezel as it's compressed then simply pushed in gently


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[replikmaster]

I see your point. Not sure if it's a plexi exclusive, but can't find a slot/ spot to try and pry the bezel out... Does the 424 has one, say, like on the 44 Luminor bezel?

My 424 does have a little spot where it can be poked to take off the bezel, just as my 449.
I guess a good and carefull watchsmith is able to take your watch bezel, as you can see in your watch there's a gap between the case and bezel to try that. You start with one point and keep going through the entire circunference.

If I were you, I would try to remove this way, then really broke the plexy to take it off the bezel and ask for another plexy/sapphyre to your dealer.

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[paulvillo]

Maybe try asking the TD from where the watch came from (or your favorite TD maybe he can find out)? They can ask the repair guy who may be able to provide you with the answers you need. Good luck!

That one came from m2m @mysterio
Not stopping me from contacting my fav TD for parts but was hoping to find it stateside on eBay/Ofrei/and the likes of it.