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Replacing crystal on IWC 3777

9

924er

Known Member
28/12/16
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Couldn't find the answer I was looking for in regards to removing the crystal.

A watchsmith messed it up pretty bad, it's most likely just the AR coating the scratched off. The texture isn't smooth around the blemishes he left on it.

Anyways, I wanted to replace the crystal myself using my basic watch tools. Does it just pop out from underneath or does it have glue ?

I've seen plenty of the same crystal on eBay, not sure if it has the blue hue per IWCs gens though. I really liked it.

As you can see the damage is pretty bad. The watch was flawless before that stupid watchsmith touch it for an unrelated repair.
b3b221a7448526ee203a72567dd68726.jpg


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P

pippo

Respected Member
10/1/10
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No glue, it just pops from the underneath.
Be sure to order a new spare crystal of the same diameter and similar thickness.

However, If I were you I would consider to recoat the crystal you have.
 
9

924er

Known Member
28/12/16
175
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pippo said:
No glue, it just pops from the underneath.
Be sure to order a new spare crystal of the same diameter and similar thickness.

However, If I were you I would consider to recoat the crystal you have.
Click to expand...

I found a press on eBay for around 15$ that comes with all kinds of sized adapters.

I don't know how to recoat. For now I'll just contact some TDs and see what they can do


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P

pippo

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moswissa said:
I found a press on eBay for around 15$ that comes with all kinds of sized adapters.

I don't know how to recoat. For now I'll just contact some TDs and see what they can do


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Click to expand...


You cannot coat the crystal yourself. You need to ship it to someone who has access to a service provider, usually a lab.
 
lrnz

lrnz

Active Member
27/1/17
296
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EU
Damn, how does one even damages a crystal like that? Did you get a refund/ asked for money back? If i were in you, i'd purchase a replacement crystal from a TD and bring it to a qualified watchmaker, since changing cristal requires removing the movement etc and you don't want to mess it up
 
9

924er

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28/12/16
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LorenzoM said:
Damn, how does one even damages a crystal like that? Did you get a refund/ asked for money back? If i were in you, i'd purchase a replacement crystal from a TD and bring it to a qualified watchmaker, since changing cristal requires removing the movement etc and you don't want to mess it up
Click to expand...

Dude, me and him were both talking smack, back and fourth. He didn't charge me because no work was done. Screw him.

I have removed the movement from th case before it's pretty easy and fun. The next challenge is to remove the crystal from the case.

If anyone knows a TD that can supply me with a crystal let me know. I'm working to see if Ryan can get it for me. Thanks

79b612b157a6da4c558637faffdd68fb.jpg



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F

FastPaced

Preformer
26/2/17
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Send the crystal to the Professor and have him do the AR, it will be invisible clear
 
9

924er

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28/12/16
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FastPaced said:
Send the crystal to the Professor and have him do the AR, it will be invisible clear
Click to expand...

Noted! I'll look into him but I kinda like the blue tint this rep has as it's close to gen. The gen is even more blue lol


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P

pippo

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moswissa said:
Noted! I'll look into him but I kinda like the blue tint this rep has as it's close to gen. The gen is even more blue lol


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Click to expand...

True but Prof's AR is a real addiction, once you get used to it you cannot go back :D
It is way better than gen IWC AR coating.
 
9

924er

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28/12/16
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pippo said:
True but Prof's AR is a real addiction, once you get used to it you cannot go back :D
It is way better than gen IWC AR coating.
Click to expand...

I've heard he's pretty good. So my TD said he can try and get the crystal for 45$ plus shipping. That's not bad right? I'll also see what prof can do about my original one. I'll definitely try it out!


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P

pippo

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moswissa said:
I've heard he's pretty good. So my TD said he can try and get the crystal for 45$ plus shipping. That's not bad right? I'll also see what prof can do about my original one. I'll definitely try it out!


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Click to expand...

No, it's a very good price as long as he doesn't charge you 35USD for postage
 
9

924er

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28/12/16
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pippo said:
No, it's a very good price as long as he doesn't charge you 35USD for postage
Click to expand...

$45 for the crystal, and $15 for the shipping via air mail. I'm thinking about getting a spare dial since this one is flawed but I'm weighing the risks of me potentially damaging it since I'll be the noob watch smith. Seems like a fun project but I don't want to experiment with a good working watch.


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X

xtremeag

Active Member
9/9/16
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I actually like the blue hue of IWCs AR. I got used to it and like it ony CF3.
I think it gives the watch something when you move it and in different positions it looks different. it makes fun to play with the watch
 
9

924er

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28/12/16
175
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So I went to a watch repair shop today with the replacement crystal and the guy said my crystal is installed with glue and that it would break if he tried to remove it. He said it's not as easy as you think . He refused the job.

Is that true? Do these crystal have glue?


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P

pippo

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moswissa said:
So I went to a watch repair shop today with the replacement crystal and the guy said my crystal is installed with glue and that it would break if he tried to remove it. He said it's not as easy as you think . He refused the job.

Is that true? Do these crystal have glue?


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Click to expand...
Not that I am aware of but everything is possible in the rep world
anyway, try a better watchmaker...even if glued (unlikely), they can remove it
 
9

924er

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pippo said:
Not that I am aware of but everything is possible in the rep world
anyway, try a better watchmaker...even if glued (unlikely), they can remove it
Click to expand...

Ill try a few other watchmakers. They seem to all day "if it breaks its not my fault" lol.
the crystal seems that its seated into the case, and it should pop out from the bottom up like you state. I highly doubt that there is glue.
plan B would be to buy a cheap watch press on eBay and do it myself.
 
P

pippo

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Yeah, replacing a crystal with the proper tool s a simple task ;)
 
2fake4u

2fake4u

Respected Member
20/9/16
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buy a cheap watch crystal press off amazon/ebay and have at it.

most watchmakers will say if it breaks, its not their issue. Especially with reps, since quality is lacking.
 
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