Upgrading to a Sapphire Crystal on the Seiko SKX007 Dive Watch - Watch and Learn #27

[@VladimirLadev]

Thank you man for making videos and having a true love for watches. You helped me a lot in my descision and I am happy to say my SKX has been on my wrist almost 6 years now.

[@alpaybyrktr]

I would send every watch that I own for repairing to you rather than another watchmaker any given day. The aura and the passion that you have for watches are simple incredible. Great job, Marc!

[@islandwatch]

I wouldn't do that! LOL

[@Crabman_87]

You did see his gloves covered in loose lint right....?

[@almethusgutierrez6390]

Hey Marc great job with the video. Since you already at it, you should also do more videos with that skx007 such as replacing the hands, replacing the dial, replacing even the movement, etc. I bet that would be a great topic for watch and learn.

[@islandwatch]

Perhaps, thank you.

[@MrBacchus18]

Mechanical watches are kind of amazing when you think of it, especially in the days before quartz etc.

[@wadepatton2433]

They still are amazing. Think of the micro-machining needed to make the parts, those cogs and wheels and shafts. Ultra precision is nothing new-and there were no quartz watches 57 years ago, mechanical goes back quite a way.

[@ralfrufus3691]

Quartz better than mechanical

[@wadepatton2433]

@@ralfrufus3691 Better for what? Timekeeping sure, but it requires electricity and I prefer the complications of mechanicals--just because that's what I'm into. I enjoy over-complicated mechanisms large and small because I'm the sort of guy who appreciates the craft of making and maintaining such critters. Enjoy your quartz stuff, I've had plenty of them. I even ruined the quartz action in a gold Movado once by letting a battery get old and leak into it. I sold it for scrap gold... OTOH I've had a pair of Seiko SKX's since the early 2000's and they're still great and getting facelifts at present. I've even gotten them keeping pretty good time-which isn't that difficult when you know what to expect. Cheers

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Thanks Marc, great vid. I'm gong to swap out my 013 crystal and you have been a lot of help. Cheers.

[@ukrainetrain84]

Jody, Mark and Tristano. The youtube horological holy trinity lol. In all seriousness I enjoy all the content you guys put out!

[@darkchocolate4643]

You're a superstar, Mark. Thanks for explaining it clearly so that even a noob withe two left hands like me understands it. Now to put it to practice. That "crack" you'll hear coming from the general direction of Belgium won't be a sapphire crystal cracking but rather the window when I throw my tool through it without bothering to open it first.

[@tomskimcdouglegaming806]

Cool story

[@SalMightyOne]

The Seiko looks so mucht better now with the saphirre glass. WOW! Gread video.

[@craig2100]

Did my first replacement, thanks to your video, this was a breeze.

[@Hellacop6]

Easy job, will done this on my srpe57, wish me luck , thanks for the tutorial Marc!

[@peacockbass1966]

I have changed a few crystals on my watches. I find that for watches with the rotating bezel, it is easier to install the crystal with the bezel removed.

[@jimcricket1]

Do you lubricate the crystal gasket?

[@markharmon6942]

More chance to damage watch, though.. .

[@stevetownsend1389]

Hi Marc, Great video! I scratched the hardlex crystal on my Seiko SNZG015J1. Thanks to your video, I got the courage to replace it with a domed sapphire crystal. Just finished the job and it looks great. Your Watch and Learn videos are terrific! Can't thank you enough.

[@schmanderich]

Hi, is it still waterproof?

[@kristynastehlikova1073]

Great video, thank you! I managed to replace it by myself following your "manual". I had only a slight problem with even positioning of the sapphire in the case. At first it was placed in a bit tilted position but a repeated press on the elevated side finally corrected it. I used flat sapphire with clear AR and the same look (with bevel) as the original hardlex. I managed not to touch it from the bottom so everything remained nicely clean. Now installed and it looks beautiful!

[@waytoomany9997]

Great video mar . I'm going to order me a sapphire crystal for my 007 and my 009 . I just received the press a couple days ago. I ordered my my seiko skx from you and my lumed ceramic Batman bezel insert. It has been a pleasure doing business with you. By far the best watch dealer in the world In my opinion. I would NEVER order from any other company. Great selection and prices and shipping is just as good as Amazon

[@justinstuart9109]

Tonight I just aligned/glued the chapter ring and installed a sapphire crystal in a Seiko SKX007 that I purchased from you a few weeks ago. It was challenging at times but it all turned out perfect in the end. Thanks so much for your helpful videos Marc!

[@schmanderich]

Is it still waterproof?

[@petershallis2294]

I might have a go at this, I hadn't realised how straightforward it was to be honest..especially removing the crown. Thanks Marc.

[@islandwatch]

Yes, scary easy!

[@Agent-vj3ns]

Thanks. I just put a domed sapphire crystal on my 1953 invicta and a glide lock clasp. Looks proper now.

[@RobWhittlestone]

Cool video, Marc! Thank you for educating us! All the best, Rob in Switzerland.

[@PaulAcevedo]

This was difficult - it took me four or five tries to get it to actually close. But the video was very helpful, and eventually, I did it. Thanks, Esslinger.

[@brianlynch9204]

Great video. I have a couple of older Casios. Yes, Casios! They are the amw330 and 320 with the champagne dial. They are far better than what the price would suggest. They are quartz watches. I love them and I am considering a sapphire glass upgrade for them. You might think I am out of my mind but so am serious.

[@timemeasured9137]

Great tutorial!!! Needed to show how to make sure the crystal is clean from any dust before putting back the movement and case. Thanks

[@rdk_metalmelter1250]

What a great video, with meticulous attention to detail! This is an upgrade that I might consider doing to my Seiko SKX 011j1 diver in the future. Thank you!

[@RationalThinker1859]

I'm amazed you got the chapter ring reasonably aligned, because it's something Seiko are never able to do. I have heard Seiko intentionally design the flaw into every diver in order to reduce counterfeiting.

[@veetour]

Why not have a logo on their box or some other method to reduce counterfeiting? If this was true it just doesn't seem the right thing to do.

[@RationalThinker1859]

@@veetour Sorry, it was sarcasm. Seiko should be able to align chapter rings, but they don't. Why don't they? Because they choose to keep the flaw in so that you know an SKX is genuine only when the chapter ring is misaligned. It was a joke.

[@ussweeneyd]

Great video with excellent tutorial! Will be attempting this soon on my Seiko flightmaster.

[@wadepatton2433]

14 Years later my Hardlex is showing some wear. It was a BIG step up from the junky watches I wore before, but now is the time we go Sapphire.

[@wadepatton2433]

Finally sorted out that the SKX crystal gasket is not symmetrical. It has a taper. Apparently I've gotten mine upside down twice. Once you screw it up, gotta start over with a new one. No one talks about the asymmetry of the crystal gasket. Lucky I found it in another video. New gasket on order. I'm trying to put in a Sapphire crystal. I did get the Seiko 5 crystal installed no problems, but the face won't stay put. I think something was damaged when the OEM crystal was broken, but I don't see anything that appears damaged. The 5 is now perfect with a domed crystal, but the face is all loosey goosey.

[@Hockeybilly16]

I bought a watch from him and he has such good service and I love the watch. Thanks you!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks so much.

[@edwarddelaney513]

Great video. I need to replace a damaged mineral crystal. Local repair shops want more than the watch is worth for the repair.

[@rafliharith8703]

I'm successfully change my sappire glass on my turtle, thanks for this video marc ❤️ from Malaysia.

[@mydogshiro]

why? shell isn't enough for him?

[@sidtyphoon]

I was worried about the lack of lead in on the sapphire crystal, but I see it does work fine. Thanks for your awesome videos!

[@wadepatton2433]

It works because the taper on the gasket. Don't get your gasket inverted!

[@stuartbrown25]

thank you marc for sharing this with us. I have a Seiko franken monster watch which has the hardlex glass, it now has a little scratch on it. I used to rate the hardlex glass but no longer do. I have 10 -11 watches which are sapphire glass, you can't go wrong with sapphire as their the 2nd hardest to diamond.... I also have anti reflective on my new le jour mark 1 chronograph watch. I watched a video that states you can scratch the anti reflective coating leaving people thinking that their sapphire glass is scratched which is not the case as sapphire glass can not be scratched, only the AR coating....

[@alexandrewaldemar8692]

I was so ignorant about these processes. Thanks for the education!!!!!

[@jeremybowman4681]

All the middle school boys at 9:11 are going: hehehhehehehehehehehhehehhehehehhehhehehehehhehehhehehehehhehehehehehhehehhehehehehhehhehehhehehehehehehehhehehhehehehhehhehehehehhehehhehehehehhehehehehehhehehhehehehehheh

[@islandwatch]

LOL

[@joseph_b319]

Jeremy Bowman LOL. My wife would say “hey Joe how old are you”

[@jaysonjota]

Thought the same man hahaha

[@thegorn]

Didn't even tough the sides

[@MilanNikolic96]

😏👉👌

[@djsessum]

crazy, I was just looking at SKX's and sapphire crystals to buy last night. perfect upload timing haha

[@islandwatch]

Sure is!

[@waynetykocki3964]

Just changed my Crystal to sapphire great instructions but it was difficult to see the place to ouch to get the crown out I also changed the aluminium bezel insert for a ceramic one in dark blue. Well pleased looks well smart and expensive. The sapphire really catches the light.

[@naungnaunglatt295]

thank you! i am really madness with SKX 007!! Still trying to buy one of this!!

[@jimcombs9121]

Popping out domed crystal may require more concave space to allow movement than most press die kits will have.. No worries! Just use a roll of electrical tape and the case will sit on that and the roll will sit on the bottom die. The center of the tape roll is big enough for almost any size crystal and case. IMPORTANT!! Be safe and always remove the bezel before crystal removal otherwise you may bust up the bezel insert when some crystals are removed. Happened to me today and ruined a ceramic insert.

[@DanboShaw]

Excellent! You make it look easy! Now if only it was equally as easy to upgrade the SKX with a hacking, hand-windable movement!

[@tunokies]

it's not too hard. the trickiest part is getting a crown/stem combo that works and is still watertight.

[@islandwatch]

LOL, thanks.

[@binkymagnus]

this is a really great vid. I'm planning to mod my SKX007, and this is one of the best instructional vids I've found. thanks!

[@islandwatch]

Great; good luck!

[@rzgarbavardi8743]

thank you you did a great job ! I really enjoy it . I watched all of your videos from Kurdistan , Iran.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks so much.

[@zengmingde]

Very nice video! Before this I always removed the bezel before attempting to remove the crystal... Didnt know this could be done!

[@islandwatch]

Yes, not necessary. The bezel is just added to the watch at the end. It is not part of the case at all.

[@zengmingde]

Thanks for answering! Are there any watches where the bezel insert actually overlaps the crystal? Wouldn't removing the crystal without first taking off the bezel then damage the bezel insert? I guess the bevel on the oem hardlex must have tricked me into thinking that!

[@pdub36]

Mark as usual great content. I think I may need to upgrade my crystal now! Great channel!

[@islandwatch]

Perhaps! And it isn't difficult.

[@williammcnamara5190]

Thank you so much for these videos Marc. You make it look so easy. I've managed to pop a sapphire top hat into my 5KX. Was a bit sketchy putting the movement and crown back in but I managed it. Thank you Marc! Keep up the brilliant work and videos! Peace ✌

[@KarlKrogmann]

Fantastic! I figure I get me some tools, some parts, and in a couple of years I'm F.P. Journe. Great video as always, Marc.

[@islandwatch]

LOL, hopefully!

[@stevendee2831]

wow dude. I had a swatch watch in Jr .high . it got stolen in the locker room when I had set it on the bench with my clothes to change for p.e.. that was 1987.

[@pericodelospalotes5738]

Fortunataley you got rid of that piece of junk. A Swatch, what a lost!

[@allisonsmith9050]

Awesome video! IMO, the cost of sapphire is well worth it - esp if you plan on keeping your watch for the long haul. I would not buy a watch without it or the ability to easily upgrade.

[@andrewyeow8824]

Thank you very much. I've learned alot watching you work. Gives a real different perspective on the watches.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

I have to disagree with not replacing the gasket , especially on a dive watch. Gaskets can appear intact, yet still have small cracks and, worse, be dry rotted or mildewed. I would probably, also, use a silicon lube to help assure as perfectly watertight a seal as possible.

[@markarmstrong3394]

I used to be a truck mechanic and I agree 100 %

[@acftmxman]

Marc, another great video! I'm pretty handy with tools and am not so afraid to try something like this. I already have a press. I picked it up for changing batteries in a Seiko SFWM64 that my Best Half gave me. A press is the only way you can get the case back back in place. On a side note, I received the Blue Orient Bambino Ver. 4 (for myself) and the Seiko SUP359 (for my Best Half) that I ordered from Island Watch. My God both pieces are beautiful. I am so happy that I could size the band on the SUP359 to fit her wrist (her's are pretty small). Again thanks!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks so much!

[@brianmcbrayer2029]

Thanks for this whole series, Mark. Really helpful material and thoughtfully made. Cheers! 🍻

[@georgeplungis5283]

Fantastic, very informative. Harbor Freight sells the blue press & other neat watch tools, don't forget to use the 20% off cupon.

[@islandwatch]

LOL!

[@tomhughes5123]

im sure i bought one already modded and tested from you guys as a shop fitted mod , yes it was a seiko 007 , it leaked in a bathtub 12 inches of water !

[@paul.newland]

Fantastic - another great video with lots of detailed explaination! Mark, I have a SKX011J1 with factory mis-aligned hands (the hour hand is offset when the minute hand is at 12) - could you consider a video covering the process of re-aligning the hand set (or even changing them as suggested previously) and what tools are needed? Ironically, both of my K series 007 & 009 are perfectly aligned...

[@islandwatch]

I'm considering it.

[@corlissmedia2.0]

Thanks for all the context in your narrative. I really enjoyed it!

[@islandwatch]

Thank you.

[@timrobinson3241]

Great video again Marc! Sapphire obviously better than hardlex. But I have to say the hardlex on my SKX007 (almost 10 years old) is like new! (Wish I could say the same about the bezel insert, and a scraped lug where I popped off the bezel :-( ). On a separate note, I’m really looking forward to receiving the Bambino I ordered from you a couple of days ago. Just could not resist..! Very best regards, Tim (over the pond in the UK)

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for the business Tim!

[@tunokies]

Could probably find a spare bezel insert in my parts tray if you need one. (Also in the UK)

[@johnwang9914]

Sapphire is more scratch resistant but it's also more brittle and easier to shatter. The mineral glass (Hardlex is mineral glass but with a specific doping) is a compromise between Sapphire and Acrylic in terms of resistance to scratching and resistance to impacts.

[@almazonly]

The other guys like Lume Shot would lubricate gaskets for an hour. This one was short and sweet!

[@getoffmylawn8986]

As usual, I learned something new. Thanks, Mark.

[@islandwatch]

That's the whole idea, great!

[@thomasshedd7002]

Great video. You really demystify some of the simpler maintenance. I just wish you had put in a new crystal gasket for the video. Forty dollars for a sapphire crystal is a significant amount for this watch. It would be a shame if it leaked because of a dried gasket that probably only costs a few dollars.

[@islandwatch]

The gasket is new as the watch isn't old, so I know its good.

[@baba65lou]

Marc...you're the best! keep the videos coming thank you

[@islandwatch]

Glad you enjoyed, thank you.

[@asd7959]

what about water resistance after swaping crystal? thats what interests me the most whether its worth it? is it just this movement that when you put the stem back in you dont have to press the button again, or do I just push in and screw it back in any movement?

[@josephthomas439]

He mentioned the seal looked good, or else he could've replaced it too

[@jfdomega7938]

Great video Marc. Thanks for uploading them.

[@islandwatch]

Welcome!

[@markharmon6942]

Obviously many comment on the video without watching and listening to the video.

[@LuisRodriguez-is5hq]

Excellent instructions! Thank you.

[@brickman658]

Thanx for another great watch and learn video, I just received my new sapphire crystal for my new Padi from crystal times and was wondering what a fair price would be for switching out a crystal, being that I don't have the tools or confidence yet to do it myself & will have to take mine to a repair shop. Kind of crazy how you posted the video the same day I received my new crystal! Thanx again, and please keep the great videos coming!

[@islandwatch]

$30 or $40 would do it.

[@avkashmahtab7765]

How much does this effect the water resistance if at all? Any tips to help preserve water resistance after removing and replacing the glass?

[@monkeyfacesenior]

I just changed my skx007 crystal yesterday to a double dome sapphire!.. You make it seem so easy. I found it very difficult putting the new crystal in evenly:(

[@DavesWatchLove]

Same here (love the double dome sapphire, btw). I tore through several gaskets (and the price of those add up quickly) before I could get it in evenly. No "snap" whatsoever. I finally figured out that the crystal had to be super even. So if pressing it in, it got off just a little, I backed it out and started all over. But what a pain it was. Now I need to have it pressure tested to make sure.

[@islandwatch]

There was some resetting that had to be done during filming!

[@islandwatch]

The crystal I used had no lead or chamfer on the side. So I think that's why it snapped. It was hung up on the gasket then got right past it. (thus, the snap!)

[@monkeyfacesenior]

Thanks for your feedback. Love your channel; always full of practical information.

[@synchronisewatches7327]

Great episode of watch and learn, love the whole series keep up the great work, really enjoying them, thanks. Saludos

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for checking them out.

[@nicknackpaddywhack3278]

Marc, you should do a video on how to align a SKX bezel and dial.

[@islandwatch]

Considering it. I sort of covered the bezel in the dive bezel video.

[@TheGeezzer]

Nice upgrade by the way...encouraging!👍

[@sonalpatel6119]

Epic : 2 sicko black dial Brother : understanding Good day .

[@jonoedwards4195]

I just Pulled this mission off, Crystaltimes Double Dome Blue, pausing an watching as you described, Unreal, piece of piss! Then i found the Chapter Ring sitting all alone,Thought it was a Mystery Gasket,,, "Oh No!!" SKX looks unreal without It, seems to all be tight. Is the Chapter essential Structure? Stoked, You Beauty Yank.

[@mathewhughes968]

Hey Marc, great video. Out of interest, do you offer a service to upgrade the glass on the Seiko 007 on purchase from your website?

[@853massey]

I was about to ask the same question. Let us know Marc. Regards.

[@diablo2punk]

Mathew Hughes I'd pay good money for that :)

[@n.h187]

Alkaiser same!

[@islandwatch]

Unfortunately I do not. I don't have the time for it; not sure I have the patience either. There are companies out there that make their living doing this. (Seiko mod upgrades)

[@n.h187]

Long Island Watch thanks:-)

[@juanrafaeltosado1812]

¡¡🙏 GREATES, AMAZING RESULTS; WILL FOLLOW YOUR RECIPE.BLESSINGS !!.

[@almcl9391]

great videos and very helpful. really enjoying them & learning a lot. much appreciated

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@Lex5576]

I wish my Vostok Amphibia stems were that easy to remove. With a Vostok, you have to first pull the stem out fully to the hour/date change position....VERY IMPORTANT! If you don't do so before pushing the release pin, good luck putting it back in. There's a microscopic tab that has to lock perfectly into one of the cams on the stem. It takes top notch finesse to get it to go back, so you can't miss that first step.

[@islandwatch]

Yes, I've seen other movements like that too.

[@FabioBarahona]

Great Video Mark. Very well done. Thank you.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it.

[@utewatchco1468]

Marc, the flat sapphire is my favorite version for this watch. I use to be on a domed sapphire craze for a while but the fact of the matter is it induces glare, even with ar coating. So unless I was using it for a diver I would stick with a flat sapphire personally.

[@itsallrobbish]

Spot on video Marc!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@jbbrabant]

Thanks Marc, enjoyed the video.

[@atreides6]

Every time I watch these videos I think Andy Kindler.

[@bubbab7792]

Nice tutorial Mark. Thank you.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks! Appreciate it.

[@japudjuha]

Hey Marc, cool vid. Just tought of an informative test you could do with the now spare Hardlex Crystal. What about scratching it with various things (in increasing hardness) alongside a regular mineral crystal? I dont know about anyone else, but I would find this fascinating and an interesting comparison to see how much harder Hardlex is to regular minaral crystals. (and if you had a spare/old saphire, include that too?)

[@islandwatch]

Interesting, thank you.

[@johnwang9914]

I think it would be nice to see if the scratches could be polished out with cerium oxide.

[@kdochce-vidi8540]

Thank You, Marc👍🇨🇿

[@normcote270]

Great mod!!! Thanks so much for shareing!!

[@mikesortino]

Hi Marc, thanks for sharing this video it is very helpful. While I don't do any repairs myself, I'm looking at a vintage Seiko 7123. I want to replace the crystal but my watch repair guy mentioned that I should get a replacement gasket for the crystal. Where do I get those? I think I've found the right crystal but they don't mention anything about the gasket and my watch repair guy says I need it. Do you know where to find a replacement gasket for a 7123? Thank you. Mike

[@Feastalisk]

Now I wonder how clean your room must be to be able to do this. I used to experiment removing and reassembling(not the movement haha I'm not that good). The aftermath is a watch with some specks of dust on the dial : /

[@islandwatch]

Always. And its such a pain!

[@KISH351]

Mark great video. I have a question for you. When putting the crystal in won't you mess up the water resistant? Please get back to me when you read this comment. Thanks You for the very helpful video. Keep them coming.

[@islandwatch]

Yes, which is why I stated you should have it WR checked after the fact.

[@jeffd3802]

if anyone actually will be getting their watch wet please please make sure u use a NEW crystal gasket when replacing original and get it pressure static and water tested.

[@islandwatch]

Absolutely!

[@TomCorbett420]

nice swatch ! but i wonder for the water resistance and especially for a diver isn't it risky to do it yourself when you're not a professional?

[@islandwatch]

You should have it WR tested after the fact, absolutely.

[@baki5019]

Is the watch still water resistant to 200m? If not how would you make it resistant again?

[@escargotiskuhol]

Marc said it needs to be tested again

[@jonathanobrien1058]

it should still be resistant to 200m, all you have changed is a part that scratches for one that doesnt

[@denisticic5150]

Hi, Marc very good video. Keep it on !

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for the support.

[@junkerju58]

Have a Seiko divers chronograph solar powered watch and an all black kinetic powered and have been using them for over 5 yrs. Any opinion? They have kept time accurately more or less. The kinetic watch would run for over 120 days without losing much power. The solar is no brainer as it will store power with Abby light source.

[@morganwadsworth9866]

Thanks Marc. Your vid was a great help. Cheers.

[@stevenuk]

Excellent video, so helpful.

[@islandwatch]

Thank you.

[@qwasd0r]

I replaced my crystal with a double-domed sapphire and it didn't make that popping sound when I pressed it it, although I used a rather big amount of force. Should I put it back in the press and use even more force? You didn't seem to need all that much...

[@mmma4096]

Mark, a question for you: Is possible to replace the glass on the Sarb035 and Sarb033 with AR Sapphire Crystal? Do you know if has a Sapphire Crystal with magnifier date for Sarb033 and Sarb035?

[@NathanChisholm041]

They already have sapphire

[@dann904]

Just curious. Why didn't you remove the bezel first? Seems like it would be simpler to have the bezel out of the way

[@ifestionpapadam4929]

Great job, have you made afterwards a waterproof test to check if the watch has the same level of atm.?

[@pgrossmsk]

dont mind me asking .For the replacement of crystal , do i need to re-lube back the crystal gasket o-ring ? thanks

[@Visitor555]

From what ive heard you dont need to oil the crystal gasket, only the caseback and bezel gaskets needs to be lubed.

[@johnwang9914]

How did you select the size of the sapphire crystal, does the part number for the Seiko hardlex crystal translate directly to diameter and thickness and what of the bevel that the Seiko crystal typically has (is just using a flat sapphire crystal without the bevel do).

[@miliusrex11]

Thanks Marc

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for checking it out.

[@Knapweed]

That's a very cheap crystal press but it appears to be doing a good job. What is your take on how effective these cheap presses are compared to the higher price tools?