removing glued-in watch crystal?

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

Nate Nagel

2011-03-16 23:11:55 UTC

Hi all,

I have a 2nd series Bulova Lone Eagle which had an unfortunate incident
a while ago and the original glass crystal was broken. The responsible
party tried to make it right and took the watch to a local watchmaker
who said he could make one work. He did, but it was far more domed than
the original and I don't like the look. After looking off and on since
for a more appropriate replacement, I found what I believe to be a NOS
G-S plastic replacement crystal; however, I've hit another snag. The
crystal that I don't like is glued into the case, and I'm afraid to try
to just press it out as the case is very thin metal, possibly a stamped
sheet, rather than being machined from a solid piece of metal as is
common current practice.

What's the accepted method for removing something like this? Heat?
Solvent? If the latter, what? I ASSume that the watchmaker would have
used a glue intended for the purpose.

thanks,

Nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Frank Adam

2011-03-17 02:05:34 UTC

Permalink

Post by Nate Nagel
Hi all,
I have a 2nd series Bulova Lone Eagle which had an unfortunate incident
a while ago and the original glass crystal was broken. The responsible
party tried to make it right and took the watch to a local watchmaker
who said he could make one work. He did, but it was far more domed than
the original and I don't like the look. After looking off and on since
for a more appropriate replacement, I found what I believe to be a NOS
G-S plastic replacement crystal; however, I've hit another snag. The
crystal that I don't like is glued into the case, and I'm afraid to try
to just press it out as the case is very thin metal, possibly a stamped
sheet, rather than being machined from a solid piece of metal as is
common current practice.
What's the accepted method for removing something like this? Heat?
Solvent? If the latter, what? I ASSume that the watchmaker would have
used a glue intended for the purpose.

It's like in the old movies. All you need is a towel and hot water.
Perhpas a bit of whisky, but that's for internal use. :)

Obviously you will have to take the movement out of the case, then
chuck the case into a bowl of hot water. It doesn't need to be boiling
hot, just "tap hot" should be ok. Let it sit there for a few minutes,
then fish it out and hold it with a cloth or towel and you should be
able to easily push the glass out and dig off the glue with a
screwdriver, pegwood, wooden skewer, toothpick, whatever.. while it is
warm.
Personally, once the glass is out, i use a watchmaker's screwdriver to
take the majority of the glue off, then a sharp pegwood to clean off
the leftovers, especially in the corner.

--
Regards, Frank

N8N

2011-03-17 12:15:58 UTC

Permalink

Post by Frank Adam

It's like in the old movies. All you need is a towel and hot water.
Perhpas a bit of whisky, but that's for internal use. :)
Obviously you will have to take the movement out of the case, then
chuck the case into a bowl of hot water. It doesn't need to be boiling
hot, just "tap hot" should be ok. Let it sit there for a few minutes,
then fish it out and hold it with a cloth or towel and you should be
able to easily push the glass out and dig off the glue with a
screwdriver, pegwood, wooden skewer, toothpick, whatever.. while it is
warm.
Personally, once the glass is out, i use a watchmaker's screwdriver to
take the majority of the glue off, then a sharp pegwood to clean off
the leftovers, especially in the corner.
--
Regards, Frank

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Hopefully I won't have to glue the new
one in (because I don't have any of the special crystal glue,) but
we'll see. The movement on this watch is very easy to remove, don't
even have to pull the stem, so next time I have a free evening I'll
give it a go.

nate

Frank Adam

2011-03-17 13:12:35 UTC

Permalink

Post by N8N

Post by Frank Adam

It's like in the old movies. All you need is a towel and hot water.
Perhpas a bit of whisky, but that's for internal use. :)
Obviously you will have to take the movement out of the case, then
chuck the case into a bowl of hot water. It doesn't need to be boiling
hot, just "tap hot" should be ok. Let it sit there for a few minutes,
then fish it out and hold it with a cloth or towel and you should be
able to easily push the glass out and dig off the glue with a
screwdriver, pegwood, wooden skewer, toothpick, whatever.. while it is
warm.
Personally, once the glass is out, i use a watchmaker's screwdriver to
take the majority of the glue off, then a sharp pegwood to clean off
the leftovers, especially in the corner.
--
Regards, Frank

if you do need to glue it, just use a two-pack 5 minute epoxy that is
usually available even in supermarkets.. Here we'd use the most basic
of the Araldite brand and UHU also makes a decent one. Just make sure
the packet says that it sets clear. ofrei.com also sells spec. crystal
glues for 6-7 bucks. Araldite will probably cost you a bit more.

ps: If you use superglue i'll set Daz on you.

--
Regards, Frank

dAz

2011-03-17 23:34:37 UTC

Permalink

Post by Frank Adam

Post by N8N

Post by Frank Adam

It's like in the old movies. All you need is a towel and hot water.
Perhpas a bit of whisky, but that's for internal use. :)
Obviously you will have to take the movement out of the case, then
chuck the case into a bowl of hot water. It doesn't need to be boiling
hot, just "tap hot" should be ok. Let it sit there for a few minutes,
then fish it out and hold it with a cloth or towel and you should be
able to easily push the glass out and dig off the glue with a
screwdriver, pegwood, wooden skewer, toothpick, whatever.. while it is
warm.
Personally, once the glass is out, i use a watchmaker's screwdriver to
take the majority of the glue off, then a sharp pegwood to clean off
the leftovers, especially in the corner.
--
Regards, Frank

yah! I'll spray it on his fingers just before he goes to the loo ;)

Araldite Ultra clear in the 8ml pack, two tubes of 4ml each, lasts me
ages, has a pinkish colour when mixed and goes clear when cured.

http://www.selleys.com.au/adhesives/household-adhesive/araldite/ulra-clear/

Frank Adam

2011-03-18 04:18:44 UTC

Permalink

Post by dAz

Post by Frank Adam
ps: If you use superglue i'll set Daz on you.

yah! I'll spray it on his fingers just before he goes to the loo ;)

Thanks, but that's a vision i could have done without.. :)

Post by dAz
Araldite Ultra clear in the 8ml pack, two tubes of 4ml each, lasts me
ages, has a pinkish colour when mixed and goes clear when cured.
http://www.selleys.com.au/adhesives/household-adhesive/araldite/ulra-clear/

I've seen those, but been buying the old standard tubes more or less
habitually. If you think it's good or better, i'll give the Ultra
Clear a shot. I'm about to run out of it anyway.

Working with a "pinkish" thing sounds a bit wussy though. I hope my
manhood remains instact. ;)

--
Regards, Frank

dAz

2011-03-18 07:12:15 UTC

Permalink

Post by Frank Adam

I've seen those, but been buying the old standard tubes more or less
habitually. If you think it's good or better, i'll give the Ultra
Clear a shot. I'm about to run out of it anyway.
Working with a "pinkish" thing sounds a bit wussy though. I hope my
manhood remains instact. ;)

yeah it's got sort of a pinkish cast in the blob you are mixing, lets
you know you have mixed it properly, and as it cures it goes clear like
glass.

anyway buy the small 8ml pack, if you don't like it you haven't wasted much.

dAz