When installing new glass crystals sometimes they are held in by a gasket but other times they are held in place by a two part epoxy. The different methods for securing crystals is actually quite diverse. Seiko makes an adhesive specifically for securing crystals but really any two part epoxy will do, so long as it dries clear. It is really easy to mix up too much adhesive. The more you mix up the easier it is to ensure you are using equal parts and therefore the better mix you get. When you make a small batch a small difference in quantities of the two solutions results in a greater percentage difference and some times a batch might turn out gooey instead of hardening up properly.
To keep from wasting too much epoxy I use a syringe for precise distribution of the two solutions. I remove the needle portion of the syringe, fill them up from the epoxy tubes and use brass caps I made to seal them off. This makes it easy to distribute a very small amount on a surface to mix and get a good blend.
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I avoid using “harware store” two minute epoxy as the adhesive turnes to a yellow colour much sooner than the Seiko product. Jewelers epoxy also yellows quicker. A U.V. light is available for $30.00 U.S. at your local beauty supply store that will cure the U.V. curing cements that are on the market.
This seiko adhesive has now been discontinued unfortunately, so you might want to stock up if you like using it.
Hi Jp!
Upto the time Swiss watch Industry came up with different alternatives to glass fixing, epoxies were the only answer. Since the last 2/3 years nicer UV glue products have been present at nearly all SAV locations of Swiss origin or affiliation.
The epoxy mix is great, but sometimes can get very messy. UV glues are cleaner, and if you have a great UV lamp, chances are that your work is going to be near flawless, almost as neat as a newly fabricated watch in Switzerland.
The trick is to get a good UV lamp- I use a lamp for ‘Nail re-finishing’, the result is super fast finishing and a very neat and clean look to the crystal edges.
Cheers,
Prem
Dear Watch Pros- I have two nice gold pocket watches that require the crystal to be affixed to the bezel. Would it be prudent for a novice to undertake this project? If not, can anyone kindly recommend a professional for this work (to include a cleaning). Thank you for your time and assistance. I completed a donation to the web site.
Frank,
You should remove the bezel from the case before attaching the crystal. These crystals are usually going to be friction fit into the bezel and to do that properly requires a crystal press. It is also easy to crack the crystal if you don’t have practice. It’s hard to say what will be involved exactly without seeing the watches. The most difficult part is usually determining the correct size of crystal and locating it.
Frank,
For a professional I recommend you search the AWCI Referral Directory.
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