sounds good. i have a mineral crystal on the way but when this one pops, which it undoubtedly will, i will be switching to one of these. thanks.
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Well, it happened; my Fiddy exploded today.
- Thread starter jb
- Start date
to determine if a Fiddy has a sapphire, can one perform the water drop test on the crystal of a fiddy like on all the other brands?
I know noobie question.... :roll:
I know noobie question.... :roll:
BurgerFlaggen
Renowned Member
Welp,
I've replaced my exploded crystal in my 581 Fiddy with the DSN version.
Ironically, the crystal went into the bezel without a great deal of fuss; however, try as I might, the bezel doesn't want to mate properly with the case. It's to the point that the bezel gasket is shot.
Is ofrei the best source?
One more while I'm at it. How does one clean the inside of the crystal where the AR is? It won't stop smudging, microfiber cloth or not....
I've replaced my exploded crystal in my 581 Fiddy with the DSN version.
Ironically, the crystal went into the bezel without a great deal of fuss; however, try as I might, the bezel doesn't want to mate properly with the case. It's to the point that the bezel gasket is shot.
Is ofrei the best source?
One more while I'm at it. How does one clean the inside of the crystal where the AR is? It won't stop smudging, microfiber cloth or not....
BurgerFlaggen
Renowned Member
Thanks Dizzy.Dizzy said:
Wasn't sure what would react negatively with the coating - if anything.
BurgerFlaggen
Renowned Member
Welp, used mild dish soap in diluted quantity, lukewarm water, lightly agitated with nothing more than my very own digits, and then after a good rinse I microfibered after dry.
Now the crystal has irregular indigo splotching in the center (yes, I'm sure it's dry).
Any suggestions anyone?
Now the crystal has irregular indigo splotching in the center (yes, I'm sure it's dry).
Any suggestions anyone?
BurgerFlaggen
Renowned Member
Thanks for the response fm.fakemaster said:
The microfiber cloth was indeed intended for eyeglasses, and new too - no outside contaminants.
I am extremely aware of variables, it's a part of how I'm made.
The indigo splotching is unfortunately reminiscent of poorly applied, poor quality window tint that bubbles.
Is the AR "process" merely a film, or an actual process as it is made to sound?
I am trying to learn what happened so that I can guard against it in the future, and in this instance maybe I'll just pull the crystal and remove the faulty AR.
I think you are right. It happend during the cleaning process. I have cleaned a lot of crystals. It shouldn't have done that. If I had seen this sooner I would have told you not to use any kind of soap on it. As much as it sucks, it probably will need to be replaced.
BurgerFlaggen
Renowned Member
Wow, that was one of the hallowed $100 DSN crystals too. Supposed to be sapphire, but fails the water droplet test.
I'm not going to drop another c-note with anyone for another new crystal having just bought this one. I guess I'll remove the faulty AR and use it without the "coating".
And I thought I was being prudent asking how to clean it, since I had never done it before.
But as you said, it shouldn't have happened anyway.
What a bunch of crap. This makes me angry. Sorry for the rant, I'm just pissed off about this whole deal.
Thanks for your insight, fm.
I'm not going to drop another c-note with anyone for another new crystal having just bought this one. I guess I'll remove the faulty AR and use it without the "coating".
And I thought I was being prudent asking how to clean it, since I had never done it before.
But as you said, it shouldn't have happened anyway.
What a bunch of crap. This makes me angry. Sorry for the rant, I'm just pissed off about this whole deal.
Thanks for your insight, fm.
I don't put any stock in the water drop test, unfortunately. I did it on my ST-19 powered PAM212 rep and it beaded up (like it would for sapphire). AFAIK, there were never ANY Seagull powered PAM212s with sapphire crystals offered.
BurgerFlaggen
Renowned Member
That's reassuring hooligan; maybe I'll get a diamond tester on it and if it checks out talk with k2222 about proper AR. I thought maybe I got peeled twice, since B2K told me it was sapphire when I bought the watch and then the replacement didn't bead water...
- 17/3/06
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BurgerFlaggen said:
i have no idea where this water drop test came from but it isn't reliable.
1
when i clean my genuine rolex's with a brush and jewelry cleaner, wash them under the faucet the water sheets off of the crystal. i think we can all agree they are indeed sapphire.
2
oil from your fingers, polish of any kind including a cap cod cloth or wax will make water bead up on any surface. if you don't believe me get some car wax and wax the windows in your car. the water will beed up and i think we can all agree they are not sapphire. any oily or silicone contaminates on any surface will cause water to beed up.
hope this helps,
hk
BurgerFlaggen
Renowned Member
@ hooligan - Well that's good; it means I won't be likely to damage the crystal when I strip the bad AR off (if I don't send it out to retreat it).
@watchbuff - Belial2k was Josh and/or Andrew? If so, I never knew that. He left his dealer section right after I joined here. Mine was one of the last Fiddys he sold. Whoever he is, he solemnly swore not only that it was sapphire, but that it would not "explode" - which is precisely what happened.
@hk - I always wondered about that, thinking that even double AR might affect the way water acts. This apparent mythology is all through the forum; I ran across it in quantity when doing diligence prior to getting the replacement item.
Just a bummer the AR failed when contacted by a light application of mild Dawn dish soap. :roll:
It looks like that crap purplish window tint people used to put in their cars, and always bubbled.
Thanks for the responses all.
One thing I have enjoyed about this forum is the helpful nature of the staff and members.
Other places are full of asshats who would like nothing better than to bag on people who know less than they do, likely as a result of childhood beatings or a pronounced inferiority complex.
I sincerely appreciate the help.
@watchbuff - Belial2k was Josh and/or Andrew? If so, I never knew that. He left his dealer section right after I joined here. Mine was one of the last Fiddys he sold. Whoever he is, he solemnly swore not only that it was sapphire, but that it would not "explode" - which is precisely what happened.
@hk - I always wondered about that, thinking that even double AR might affect the way water acts. This apparent mythology is all through the forum; I ran across it in quantity when doing diligence prior to getting the replacement item.
Just a bummer the AR failed when contacted by a light application of mild Dawn dish soap. :roll:
It looks like that crap purplish window tint people used to put in their cars, and always bubbled.
Thanks for the responses all.
One thing I have enjoyed about this forum is the helpful nature of the staff and members.
Other places are full of asshats who would like nothing better than to bag on people who know less than they do, likely as a result of childhood beatings or a pronounced inferiority complex.
I sincerely appreciate the help.
Jack from IWW suggested using car polish (which has a mild abrasive in it) to remove the AR, if you're going to do it yourself.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
BurgerFlaggen
Renowned Member
hooligan said:
Once more, thanks hooligan!
If I can get a line on gaskets, I'll do it soon.
I'm headed out of country (for fun) soon and want to be sure this one goes with.
I'll be sure to let you know.