A Crystal Lift and How to Use it

[@MikeFyxdt]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@WatchComplications]

glad it helped :)

[@anssihakkarainen8470]

Cool stuff! First time saw this tool, thank you 😊

[@WatchComplications]

Glad you liked it!

[@pierce_fierce]

Have been recommended these on AlIEx but didn’t know exactly hours to use it. So thanks for the video!

[@WatchComplications]

glad you found it helpful :)

[@msmalmasri2680]

Thanks again for your time

[@drwindsurf]

Thank you for another very helpful video 😊👍

[@WatchComplications]

glad you found it helpful :)

[@finophile]

Thanks, exactly what I needed. 🙂

[@WatchComplications]

Glad it helped!

[@НиколайКолюня-э3й]

Hi, it turned out great, please tell me what is the name of this device?

[@WatchComplications]

it's in the title...A crystal lift.

[@EscapeReels]

Perfect! got one of those on the way :)

[@WatchComplications]

cool! hope the simple tutorial helps :)

[@animatedAL]

thank you great video, i've decided to replace a damaged mineral crystal with an acrylic crystal the original mineral crystal had a gasket do I do away with this gasket if fitting the acrylic?

[@WatchComplications]

I guess that depends on the watch, which crystal specifically, and how water resistant you want it. Acrylic crystals can be fit pretty tight, but if the original had a gasket, I'd probably want to use some sort of gasket as well when replacing the crystal.

[@animatedAL]

@@WatchComplications thanks for the reply much appreciated, 👍

[@elrockerchido]

Will this work for diver bezel removal?? Thanks in advance

[@man_of_La_Mancha]

no. there's another proper tool for diver's bezel removal.

[@WatchComplications]

no!

[@boydsargeant7496]

Thanks. Looks like you have the same one I have. Do you find that sometimes the crystal gets marked? What have you done to reduce this?

[@WatchComplications]

I thought I discussed in the video, but I usually use some sort of protective material, like a thick plastic bag so crystals are less likely to end up marked.

[@boydsargeant7496]

@@WatchComplications thanks, that’s what I do!

[@saintmartin2994]

Hi I have a zeppelin 7680-1 and i want to remove he crystal and I think I need a crystal press. I removed the movement from the back but the face is still there and not sure if a crystal press will do. any experience with this watch? thanks

[@WatchComplications]

Haven't dealt with that specific watch before, so I am not sure what the construction is. What is the crystal material? Crystals are typically held in by pressure or adhesive. A crystal lift is for use with acrylic, while a press is for glass.

[@mohammedbasharat9584]

@@WatchComplications How do you know if the orginal crystal is acrylic or glass ? Do you just tap it? I think i have a dome glass one? So this wouldnt work?

[@WatchComplications]

@@mohammedbasharat9584 it's fairly obvious from the look and feel of the surface

[@WatchComplications]

@@mohammedbasharat9584 you can usually tell easily by the look and feel of the surface. this tool only works with acrylic/plastic, not mineral and sapphire glass crystals.

[@sfirakiskwstas4993]

Hello, I do exactly the same but the calipers slide on the glass without it being able to come out ... any idea?

[@WatchComplications]

make sure you have it as far down on the crystal as it can go, basically resting against the top of the case. sometimes, using a cloth, or what I like to use is…you know the round plastic protectors that come on new watches over the glass…i put one or two of those that are bigger than the crystal on top of it and then use the lift. can help prevent slipping and also helps protect against marks on the crystal.

[@sfirakiskwstas4993]

@@WatchComplications I will try it, thank you very much !!

[@micnolmadtube]

Hey, so why not just use the press to reseat a crystal? I mean if this is only for acrylic domed, why not just use the crystal tools?

[@WatchComplications]

due to the shape of the crystal, its lip, and the case design, a press probably would not work very well in this situation. Probably would crack the crystal.

[@cecilyau4440]

Hey, Brian. I’ve bought my first plastic crystal to try on one of my watches and would like your advice on crystal lifts. On Amazon, there are budget ones for about $25 and of course Bergeon for $125. Do the budget ones work fine to insert a new plastic crystal? Obviously, I don’t want to buy a $125 lift if I don’t have to. Thanks!

[@WatchComplications]

the one you see me using in the video is a cheapo lift. It works ok, but I'm guessing the Bergeon will sit a little more flat/level on the crystal, as the arms on the cheap ones can be slightly misaligned one to the next, but it's tolerable for me so far. I'd say it depends on how much you plan to be using it. Either way, think about what to put between the lift feet and the crystal to help protect it. It can be really easy to leave marks on the crystal. I usually use a thick plastic or cloth to help provide a barrier between the metal and the plastic.

[@cecilyau4440]

@@WatchComplications As always, I appreciate your advice, Brian. I’m going to try 1 plastic crystal first, and if I like it, I may do another 2-3 watches. Since so few, I’ll give the budget crystal lift a try first and go from there. Also appreciate your advice on using a cloth or plastic to keep damage from the crystal. I’ll probably use a thin microfiber cloth for protection. Thanks again!

[@edithfarkas4973]

​@@WatchComplicationse

[@cecilyau4440]

Sorry, Brian. One more question. When replacing a mineral crystal with an acrylic crystal, should I buy an acrylic crystal with the same diameter as the mineral, or should I buy a slightly wider (eg. +0.5mm) acrylic crystal to create a tighter fit in the case? Thanks!

[@WatchComplications]

if it’s the same style/cut I’d replace with the same size but that depends on how it’s being held in the case. that is…adhesive, pressure, etc.

[@cecilyau4440]

@@WatchComplications Thanks, Brian. I haven’t received the acrylic crystal yet, but it is a high domed crystal without a step (I think). And I was planning on only using pressure to mount the crystal. I bought an acrylic crystal with the same diameter as the mineral, so we’ll see how it goes. Thanks again!

[@swaffelkonijn1752]

@@cecilyau4440how did it go? I’m thinking of doing the same but its not clear to me if it is safe to swap mineral for acrylic in terms of waterresistance