How To Replace an Seiko SKX Crystal

[@MyRetroWatches]

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[@lonestardude6283]

I love these older watches, the scratches with a pristine crystal add so much character! I did my SKX009 with a double domed sapphire and left the faded scratched bezel and is just a looker through my eyes!

[@wadepatton2433]

Finally someone mentions the asymmetry of the gasket! I've ruined two already. Thanks. Another gasket is in route. Maybe I need another press.

[@BGoods-fd3cu]

Where to buy this watch press?

[@davestewart9387]

Thinner at the top than the bottom!!! I have watched no less than 10 tutorials and you are the ONLY person to tell me this! Back to the bench 🤣

[@MyRetroWatches]

Good luck sir

[@moisturisedgnome1181]

This was amazing, many thanks. I have an SKX009 with a scratched glass which I want to replace with a sapphire, I think you've given me the confidence to get the bits and do it myself.. cheers

[@Thomas-vu9fb]

Thank’s for the video. Do you know how thick crystal is? Does crystal flush with bezel? My SKX does’nt cause a thinner crystal. Because that I want to replace with a thicker (standard) crystal.

[@Richie732]

Nice job Mike, you don’t put anything like a plastic bag between the crystal and the press?

[@undamned]

I was cringing when you were struggling with that seized bezel, thinking you might slip and slice through your hand! Glad you survived :)

[@MyRetroWatches]

undamned haha. The joy of case knives is they are very blunt.

[@paulmurphy9583]

Thanks for the video. BTW I have the same ring! My Grandmother gave it to my Grandfather as an engagement ring in the early 1900s - she was born in 1888 IIRC. :)

[@cristinastor]

The bezel doesn't have a gasket/seal that should be replaced? I have on skx007 that the bezel has a gap to the case and slight movement up and down, visible. Is that because of a worn out spring?

[@Mymatevince]

Great video Mike 👍

[@dennisc.1189]

Great job on getting that bezel off and crystal out with all of the dirt under the bezel and wanted to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

[@martinstabb7059]

I have a Seiko 6309 7040 Turtle. Does the crystal come out the same way?

[@speedypaul2314]

Hi where did you get the second press and is it ok to pop glass out. Many thanks.

[@hdmedia7404]

Fantastique job mate 💯✔️ Can I send you a SKX to replace the hardlex ?

[@a.aguilar]

Thank you for this lesson, I appreciate it. Is there any kind of feeling to know when the crystal is all the way in? I've found a shop in my city that sells all kind of crystals, I take the case to them and they look for the correct crystal and if they have it in stock the install it right away at no aditional cost, so for now I only use my press (the one you showed first) for closing press fit casebacks 😏 But its good to know how it's done, as maybe I'll need to try in the future.

[@zHumanfactor]

Fantastic mate, I really like your videos. Inspirational! :)

[@mr.m12345]

When you popped that bezel off, I said "Oh my god!" out loud. That thing was nasty. Would using something like WD-40 on it before trying to remove it be bad for the watch? Totally new to watch building and repair and trying to soak up as much info as I can before I start spending money and breaking things. Thank you for the video. :)

[@daleyurk4369]

Well done Mike!

[@Supercruze]

Nice work Micheal. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidvalens3337]

where do you buy crystals from for watches?

[@MyRetroWatches]

eBay, cousinsuk and Speedtimerkollektion

[@adrianbirkett594]

Loved that video Michael , well done. Adrian.

[@skycrafts5140]

Thanks for the video. Would it be easier to fit the chapter ring before pressing the new crystal into the gasket, or can you place it in from below, after the crystal is replaced? I know that with my skx007 there is a little notch that the chapter ring needs to sit in, to align it properly. I like the screw-down press. I have the lever version and the screen-down looks better to keep the crystal level. Thanks again.

[@carloscarvalhido2424]

Very clear and instructive. Thanks

[@WatchThisA]

My crystal has a mostly squared edge, but with a very tiny bevel on one face. Unlike the one in the video with what appears to be a massive bevel. I'm assuming the bezel goes up like yours, even if not as widely pronounced. And the square edge then goes down into the properly installed gasket. It just feels like that square edge is going to bite in, rather than slide into the gasket. I guess we'll see how it goes, as I can't image a sharp square edge of the crystal being exposed.

[@MyRetroWatches]

@@WatchThisA the bevel is there to fit into the gasket as you push in so in your case bevel down.

[@WatchThisA]

@@MyRetroWatches That's my gut feeling too. It's just strange that it leaves the sharp 90deg edge exposed (against the bezel ring I guess). Since the crystal sits mostly flush with the top of the bezel, I suppose it's not as bad as I'm imagining it. Thanks for the response.

[@heklik]

I just the small hammer included in the watch repair kit to remove the glass.

[@dodgydruid]

Cor I can vouch for that on the cheap case back knives, go blunt and scratchy in a couple weeks of use and now I use it as a small area filler putty sort of knife as its use as a watch tool is over. I have a couple old penknives as well as the doorknob type caseback opener and the days of mullering the case and back are long behind me :)

[@azzsimps2881]

Great video as always buddy, will attempt to replace my glass on my 6309 729a 😅🙏 wish me luck.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Fingers crossed! you know where I am if you get stuck pal.

[@azzsimps2881]

@@MyRetroWatches Thanks, I will give it a go, but of course if im unable or unsure I will drop you a message. Thanks and keep safe

[@ianmargetts9163]

Great job bro, made it look pretty easy!

[@davidwebb3253]

Great Job as always, on a watch i might recognise !. Merry Christmas to Mike & family & everybody in the group.

[@MyRetroWatches]

David Webb thanks David you too.

[@markoaurelius2046]

Why aren't you using that vice type watch case opener to remove the bezel? You just set the watch case on the platform and line up the blade in the crack and gently twist the screw and it lifts it out by prying the handle downwards. Much easier and no danger of getting cut or scraping the watch case.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Marko Aurelius I don’t have that tool. Thought they were for press fit casebacks. I may have to get one now. Thanks for your advise

[@markoaurelius2046]

@@MyRetroWatches Anytime! Glad I could help. They aren't that expensive either. They work on all of my seikos with the stainless steel bezels and are safe to use as well! I will also go around in a circle and gently pry on them and as I go i will gradually increase the pressure. www.ebay.com/itm/Watch-Case-Opener-For-Snap-On-Backs-With-Extra-Blades/302381870576?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[@dodgydruid]

I am taking notes on this as I am desperate to change the crystal in my Oskar-Emil Houston, its a piece that is quite unusual and not common and its new price was prob more than the worth of all my pieces here combined so very timid with it hehe One walk in shop wants £100 and another £250 O.o Ridiculous rip off's... What I am worried about is getting the broken crystal out, its fairly whole but has a great divot out above the 9 oclock position and suspect the glass will likely crack trying to extract it. A project for the new year as I am keeping an eye out for crystal job lots as I think its 30.5mm domed but until I get it out I can't do the depth :(

[@dodgydruid]

A trick I found with my 090 tonneau Vostok Amphibia was I put the tension ring and crystal in the fridge for an hour and put the case on the storage heater to warm it gently, the crystal almost slid in there with a nice bit o' pressure and worked brilliantly as I was swearing at the millionth time it refused to go in and knocked the tension ring out.

[@treetopspider]

Concise and informative. Great video

[@mikemenard1124]

Thank you 🙏

[@acoganster]

Hi Mike, thank you for the great videos. I have an issue with the crystal replacing. I have a glass press similar to the second one you used. The upper part is rotating while I’m pressing the glass. The glass rotates as well and damages the gasket. Perhaps I’m doing something wrong, but can’t figure out what exactly is wrong…

[@MyRetroWatches]

Albert Cogan is it a domed crystal or flat? It’s probably your selection of die. The second press I used has limitations and I only use for flat push in crystals as the recessed dies only fit the bottom part of the press and that would mean turning the watch up side down which I don’t like. Perhaps buy the other press too. They are very cheap . Think I have a link to one on my tool page .

[@acoganster]

@@MyRetroWatches Thank you for the answer. It's a flat crystal. It rotates with the upper die. Is it OK? Anyway, I'll check another one. Thanks.

[@petersasnauskas5319]

The bergeon number 4932-G is left handed case opener

[@outlawrallyrob]

Well good I injoyed that I got to do it to mine thanks

[@jeroenb14]

Got one just like that. Thnks now ill know how to remove the bezel en the scatterd glas👍💪

[@dodgydruid]

I was watching some of your vids and others last nite as I battled that solid curved end rose gold Ingersoll bracelet I had onto my recently acquired rose gold and blue Lige chrono, the blue bracelet didn't do it for me and so after frustrating ping out of spring bar after another I got one end in and cos I did it a certain way... the other one went in like butter and omg what a transformation. I'm sitting here watching your video polishing and examining my AU10 day date 1970's Slava which is working exceptionally well so going to cerulam oxide the crystal and find a suitable strap as I am out of gold tone bracelets then make a vid hehe as I got a tripod finally woohoo :)

[@dodgydruid]

And wishing you and yours a merry Xmas and a watch prosperous new year :)

[@nathanyu10]

What about the chapter ring?

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

Mike I tried to find the crystal press off your link, ebay says it's not there. Anything?

[@MyRetroWatches]

Mike damn. Sometimes the links go dead if the seller is out of stock . I generally have to go through the page once a month to be sure all links are still live. I will try to edit sometime tomorrow when I get chance. Sorry

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

@@MyRetroWatches sure no prob. I'll keep an eye out. Thanks!

[@houseinfrancerenovation1419]

Hi great video, and a lot better camera angle

[@MyRetroWatches]

House In France renovation haha, this time you got to see all of my hands

[@houseinfrancerenovation1419]

My Retro Watches but clean hands lol

[@cardojoal]

hi, i would like to know if you can tell me how to remove the bezel from my skyhawk citizen (if i have to just pry), i live in south america, so... i need help, please, love your videos

[@MyRetroWatches]

cardojoal email me some photos [e-mail]

[@cardojoal]

@@MyRetroWatches thanks!!!! i will

[@Justplast]

very nice work

[@karlos543]

Wish the bezel was lined up when you showed the finished watch at the end. My OCD was going mental!

[@spavliskojr]

One trick ive seen watchmakers do is put a piece of poly plastic between the knife and bezel to keep from marring the case. same for casebacks too.

[@Hawk89gt]

Great video!

[@hendlers7071]

Thanks a lot for your great vid's !!

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

That is one used watch... Could use a bezel insert replacement.

[@maffintono7790]

Duse stfu why in the world would u replace that beautiful bezel insert. Its a sign of good use.

[@TheMainCore]

Yes, and destroy what makes it unique. Great idea!!!

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

@@TheMainCore That makes no sense, crystal was replaced and that is no problem to you?

[@mabul513]

The pitch on the thread is too steep. Its pushing one side further than other risking chipped corners. Better getting finer pitch so it goes in more horizontal?

[@watchland3361]

You can also put a RAZOR BLADE in a Small plastic 2MIL baggies and pop the bezel off without Marring the Case. Watchmaker tips I’m sharing With my European Brother.

[@seanlannin]

Brilliant, thanks.

[@1Raphael]

Besides getting your finger bangers all over the hardlex inside and out great video..

[@jerstolp1]

Why take the time overhauling a 7s when u can get a NH for 50 or less hell even 30??

[@MyRetroWatches]

To keep a watch original , also the owners decision. Even if you buy an NH36 off the shelf in reality it still needs a service.

[@jerstolp1]

@@MyRetroWatches ok

[@SpydieFlick]

That thang is BEEEEEAT

[@jerstolp1]

Side note take band or strap n spring bars off do it foom a 6 to 8 position.. But what I said 1st so u don't fuck their band endlins off

[@Zotel_US]

The removal process was nervous cringe for me... I was afraid something was going to break :)

[@MyRetroWatches]

Zotel Acronym I know what you mean. They are never on loose plus this one was stuck with all the debris underneath. Fortunately the knife is deliberately blunt so would not cut me. Thanks know of no other way to remove them .

[@Ammar.D]

the right handed knifes piss me off tbh, I can't use the damn thing properly

[@MyRetroWatches]

Ammar Dalati agreed , I am getting used to it slowly. I used to use left handed cheap knives but they are just no good for extensive use.

[@richardcaudillo1108]

The whole idea of this video was the replacement of the crystal. only to see nothing! Your hand hid everything.

[@brendanhoey7706]

You really dont know what you're doing do you ? You should remove the bracelet first, otherwise you are twisting the links and marking the bezel. Your knife is not sharp enough and you should twist it away from the bezel not towards it. No wonder there are so many wrecked watches around.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Looking forward to seeing your video on the correct procedure but I do question why you would be watching this one if you know how to do it. This was filmed years ago. Knife is a Bergeon case knife and the idea is for them not to be sharp as that can do damage to steel and to yourself. I am left handed so not all that easy to use knives although i do turn it round in the video . There is no damage to the case, bracelet or bezel and crystal was fitted. I am no professional, never claim to be just a hobbyist trying to help other hobbyists.

[@Javi_C]

:)

[@jerstolp1]

Ouch all wrong

[@deanwaller8283]

Or "how to ruin your skx iso rating and render the watch worthless"

[@colescrustycars]

What did he do wrong?

[@hendlers7071]

Thanks for your great vid's !!

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

:)