Replacing a Sapphire on 217/Fiddy - will I smash it (again)?

[Tommy Tom]

I've just ordered a Davidsen Sapphire after some Poltergeist caused my 217 crystal to explode in my watch case. I've got a crystal press but the largest attachment I have for it is 37mm.

I think if I used this the pressure on the centre of the sapphire would shatter it. Do I need a larger attachment?

If so what size should I try and get hold of....and does anyone know where I could find this.

 

[Tommy Tom]

C'mon people, with all these exploding 47mm's someone must be able to help me.

If you don't i'm going to have to use a hockey puck and a vice :shock:

 

[rbj69]

get u a piece of pvc pipe end cap at your local hardware store, take your crystal in with u and get the one that just fits around that crystal, then get u a nice size c-clamp , not the cheap ones , take it to a hard service where the c-clamp can go under the table and over top the pvc endcap , then evenly squeeze down the bezel round the crystal using the pvc endcap , just make sure u can see all the way around it so u can make sure it is moving evenly , sometimes it can get cocked , if this happens u need to start over, its a feel think and still easily u can mess up if u dont have the feel for it , but i find it to be the easiest way to put these down evenly without marring anything

disclamimer: try at your own risk , if u mess up its not my fault , just trying to help is all i can do


joe