Comments on: On Vintage Crystals & other stuff http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/12/04/vintage-crystals/ A mechanical watchmaker in a digital world Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:33:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Prem http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/12/04/vintage-crystals/comment-page-1/#comment-4266 Prem Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:54:39 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=626#comment-4266 Jp, Try to use a little baking soda on the residual sticky part on the glass, first though, put the glass in a ultrasonic tank for 10-15 mins. Then try some baking soda mixed with some soapy solution, and runnig warm or tepid water. Brush with a toothbrush on the glass- I am guaranteeing the success of this operation! ;) Cheers, Prem Jp,
Try to use a little baking soda on the residual sticky part on the glass, first though, put the glass in a ultrasonic tank for 10-15 mins. Then try some baking soda mixed with some soapy solution, and runnig warm or tepid water. Brush with a toothbrush on the glass- I am guaranteeing the success of this operation! ;)
Cheers,
Prem

]]> By: J.Edwards http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/12/04/vintage-crystals/comment-page-1/#comment-4198 J.Edwards Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:56:59 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=626#comment-4198 I sure hope that the new crystal works out for you. Refinishing old crystals is something that I am curious to explore more about. I know that quite a few of the watchmakers who graduated from the Canadian Horological Institute, in Toronto, at the turn of the century went on to become optometrists as well as watchmakers. My guess is that the pursuit of that field likely sprouted from the need for them to fabricate crystals for watchcases. I sure hope that the new crystal works out for you. Refinishing old crystals is something that I am curious to explore more about. I know that quite a few of the watchmakers who graduated from the Canadian Horological Institute, in Toronto, at the turn of the century went on to become optometrists as well as watchmakers. My guess is that the pursuit of that field likely sprouted from the need for them to fabricate crystals for watchcases.

]]> By: J.Peter http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/12/04/vintage-crystals/comment-page-1/#comment-4181 J.Peter Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:35:34 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=626#comment-4181 The Diamantine left a very nice polish on the glass but it just wasn't aggressive enough to work down past the etching. It appeared mostly to smooth out the edges giving the appearance that the etching was much more faint, although very well polished. I have ordered another crystal, let's hope this one doesn't have the sticker shadow. The Diamantine left a very nice polish on the glass but it just wasn’t aggressive enough to work down past the etching. It appeared mostly to smooth out the edges giving the appearance that the etching was much more faint, although very well polished. I have ordered another crystal, let’s hope this one doesn’t have the sticker shadow.

]]> By: J. Edwards http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/12/04/vintage-crystals/comment-page-1/#comment-4172 J. Edwards Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:40:29 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=626#comment-4172 That's too bad. Did the diamantine leave any traces? Or did it leave a nice polish on the unetched glass? It almost sounds like you need to take the glass down using some wet/dry emery paper before attempting to polish it out. Certainly not a quick fix to the problem. That’s too bad. Did the diamantine leave any traces? Or did it leave a nice polish on the unetched glass? It almost sounds like you need to take the glass down using some wet/dry emery paper before attempting to polish it out. Certainly not a quick fix to the problem.

]]> By: J.Peter http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/12/04/vintage-crystals/comment-page-1/#comment-4157 J.Peter Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:09:46 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=626#comment-4157 I tackled this crystal today. Red rouge was a big bust it didn't result in any change. Simichrome actually had some effect but diamantine gave the best results. Unfortunately after putting half an hour into it, it still wasn't good enough to put on the watch, although it was improved. This would work for a lighter etching, but his one was apparently quite deep. You could actually feel the roughness of the glass with your finger. I'll be looking for a new one. I tackled this crystal today. Red rouge was a big bust it didn’t result in any change. Simichrome actually had some effect but diamantine gave the best results. Unfortunately after putting half an hour into it, it still wasn’t good enough to put on the watch, although it was improved. This would work for a lighter etching, but his one was apparently quite deep. You could actually feel the roughness of the glass with your finger. I’ll be looking for a new one.

]]> By: J.Edwards http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/12/04/vintage-crystals/comment-page-1/#comment-4112 J.Edwards Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:17:19 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=626#comment-4112 While I have never attempted it, my thoughts were similar. I would think that Grobet's/Vigor's red rouge would be able to handle minor surface imperfections, as they do advertise it as a glass polish in their catalogue. Amazon.com also carries <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009KMH4I?ie=UTF8&tag=watchblog-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0009KMH4I" rel="nofollow">M23P Glass Paste</a>, which sounds like it could do the trick. If all else fails, I would try diamantine, crushed into a very fine paste using Moebius 9010 as a binder. Half-micron diamond paste would do as well. Just my thoughts. I would definitely experiment on a sample piece first though. While I have never attempted it, my thoughts were similar. I would think that Grobet’s/Vigor’s red rouge would be able to handle minor surface imperfections, as they do advertise it as a glass polish in their catalogue.

Amazon.com also carries M23P Glass Paste, which sounds like it could do the trick.

If all else fails, I would try diamantine, crushed into a very fine paste using Moebius 9010 as a binder. Half-micron diamond paste would do as well.

Just my thoughts. I would definitely experiment on a sample piece first though.

]]> By: J.Peter http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/12/04/vintage-crystals/comment-page-1/#comment-4098 J.Peter Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:58:41 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=626#comment-4098 Jacob, Thanks for the idea. I'll try that out on Monday. Have you had luck with any specific compound? Jacob,
Thanks for the idea. I’ll try that out on Monday. Have you had luck with any specific compound?

]]> By: Jacob Sobell http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/12/04/vintage-crystals/comment-page-1/#comment-4086 Jacob Sobell Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:33:18 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=626#comment-4086 Try the different fine polishing compounds you have. I have had success in the past simply buffing them on the buffer as they are only glass and lightly etched. Be careful not to break the crystal and slice your hands. Leather gloves are good. It is another story if it is scatched. Much more material to remove. Try the different fine polishing compounds you have. I have had success in the past simply buffing them on the buffer as they are only glass and lightly etched. Be careful not to break the crystal and slice your hands. Leather gloves are good. It is another story if it is scatched. Much more material to remove.

]]> By: J.Peter http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/12/04/vintage-crystals/comment-page-1/#comment-4080 J.Peter Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:52:30 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=626#comment-4080 Vince, there is usually one size for the diameter of the crystal and another representing the dome. In addition sometimes the size is indicated in millimeters. That's as much as I know. Vince, there is usually one size for the diameter of the crystal and another representing the dome. In addition sometimes the size is indicated in millimeters. That’s as much as I know.

]]> By: Vince http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/12/04/vintage-crystals/comment-page-1/#comment-4079 Vince Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:48:18 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=626#comment-4079 That's interesting. Do you know why the stickers on most crystals have two sizes? That’s interesting. Do you know why the stickers on most crystals have two sizes?

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