Watch Press Crystal Removal | DIY Part Saved the Day!

[@setnow4265]

I’ll bet they don’t teach this trick in watch school! 😆

[@WatchWithMike]

Lol, no! Probably not...but if it works then why not!! 😛

[@mercuriall2810]

Whilst they mightn’t teach this at WOSTEP or other watchmaking schools, WOSTEP certainly do accept or even encourage expediency, provided your way of doing something reliably achieves the quality of results or outcomes they expect, then the way you choose to get there is acceptable.

[@vaibhavrokhale2976]

I really liked the PVC Idea that you had . 👌

[@WatchWithMike]

@@vaibhavrokhale2976 thanks, it worked! 😁

[@balloney2175]

Thank you, Mike! You gave me an idea to use PVC, but I have a different way of not using the other tool like that red one you used.

[@balloney2175]

I didn't know watch schools existed.

[@WatchWithMike]

👍🏼

[@SpiritualAscentOfficial]

genius idea! i have a vintage bulova marine star chronograph with a badly scratched crystal and was trying to figure out how to remove it without having to spend more money on tools or sending it off for repair.

[@WatchWithMike]

Cool, I hope it works out for you! 👍

[@colinbenfield326]

Lucky enough to snag a basic horotec press of the bay and was struggling with this. Going to try this hack. Thank you

[@WatchWithMike]

Congrats on your eBay grab! I'm really happy that this video may have solved your issue. When I make these videos my hope is that I can help others… Mission accomplished, thanks so much for checking in!

[@colinbenfield326]

@@WatchWithMike yes I love your work. The press is great for replacing snap on backs but can’t do high done acrylic crystals . I think I need a Robur for that

[@WatchWithMike]

@@colinbenfield326 Collin, I actually do think it is possible to do domed acrylic crystals on these types of presses. I've tried it twice, but only been successful once. (My second attempt shattered into 1000 pieces, lol!) I am going to be experimenting with some new home made attachments for this watch back press, which I think will make mounting acrylic crystals much easier. Stay tuned!

[@mercuriall2810]

The only difference with the Robur are the shapes of the pressing dies (which seem to be interchangeable between Robur, Bergeon and the Chinese copies of these tools) and possibly the thread pitch that lowers and raises the dies. If the thread pitch lowers and raises the die to fast per turn, you won’t have enough control to bend a domed acrylic crystal without breaking it.

[@nicoleetoo]

Thank you for the video!! I have to change my crystal too. Just one recomendation, you have to use the tips of the caliper for measurement.

[@WatchWithMike]

The tips and the inside of the jaws are within .01, so I like to use both and take the average! 👍🏼

[@yesterdayschild1418]

Hi, Mike Great video and nice to see your solution to the problem. I've just brought one of those to fit a crystal back into its bezel on a small Roamer watch. The crystal is 30mm round and the first thing I noticed was if I use the small dies then the press doesn't come down far enough to even touch anything 😡I had to use the aluminum spacer on the bottom and then locate the bottom die on top of that, not ideal but it worked, I don't understand why they didn't give more length to the screw. 😄

[@yesterdayschild1418]

Scrub that comment. I saw a video where a guy was using one of these and his moved all the way down so I went and tried mine again. Yes, mine moves all the way down but it's very stiff. I was originally just looking at the main aluminum thread but it appears there's another thread deeper inside that makes the main adjustment before using the aluminum thread for the final placement of whatever it is you are trying to achieve. I could be wrong but I've never seen a vid of the operation of the top part as they're always concentrated on the subject in hand.

[@WatchWithMike]

@@yesterdayschild1418 Good points! I appreciate the feedback!

[@AdamHunchak]

Mike an alternate solution is to just use a wrench and an Allen key to make adjustment to your press tool. With the nut removed off the front top face, you can adjust a set screw hidden beneath with and allen key, and then adjust the height of the cylindrical press. Set the set screw back in place and lock the nut on top.

[@WatchWithMike]

Hi Adam, thanks! That's definitely something to look into. 😁

[@johanvandersandt8904]

Very cool idea!

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks Johan! It was fun challenge. I did eventually go back and make a ring that is only 1 inch tall so I don't have the clearance problem. Haven't used it yet, but I threw it into the box for next time! 😁

[@giacomodelbianco]

I have the same tool. Why they did tha bases so little deep? Are they selling similar but professional tubes for this operation?

[@WatchWithMike]

No, I think my application was unusual. I've never seen aftermarket 'accessories' for this press. Hence the DIY!

[@giacomodelbianco]

@@WatchWithMike I had the same problem and I destroyed the done glass ... Anyhow it is nice to know that at least the tool is the correct one 🤣🤣

[@davecobb5649]

Great Job! What watch are you wearing?

[@WatchWithMike]

Hi Dave, thanks! I'm wearing my Seiko Recraft in this video. I did a review of the watch if you're interested. I love it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIbWfqiPmNGfoMk

[@davecobb5649]

@@WatchWithMike That looks awesome. Thank you! 👍

[@linzG]

Hello! Where can you buy the red vice type tool you are using here? I have a kid that is getting into watch repair and am trying to outfit him with everything he needs. Thanks!!

[@WatchWithMike]

Wow, that's awfully nice of you! 😃 Here's my Amazon Associate link to the watch back press I use: amzn.to/3N4xR7f I also have several product lists of beginner watchmaking tools & supplies on my Amazon storefront. Feel free to check it out if you are looking for more gift ideas! www.amazon.com/shop/mikefyxdt

[@bsofiane8639]

Hello👋,i would like to known the watch you wear on the wrist for this video...thanks from 🇨🇵

[@WatchWithMike]

That's my Seiko Recraft SNKP23. Really like that watch! Here, I did a video on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIbWfqiPmNGfoMk

[@bsofiane8639]

@@WatchWithMike 👍Merci 👍

[@jjudelson]

Thanks. Its a clone if you check Horotec presses.

[@WatchWithMike]

👍🏼

[@jjudelson]

Is that press a chinese clone of the Horotec?

[@WatchWithMike]

Chinese, yes. But I don't know of a Horotec design that's the same so I wouldn't call it a clone. I like it!

[@coyotecarguy2076]

👍👍

[@WatchWithMike]

😁😁😁

[@beakytwitch7905]

Simpler way - - use a hammer and chisel..... ;-)

[@WatchWithMike]

Hey, no kidding! I've seen people whack crystals out with hammers. 😳

[@beakytwitch7905]

@@WatchWithMike Actually I was kidding. :-P

[@WatchWithMike]

@@beakytwitch7905 I was serious! 😄

[@kenlipper874]

I need one of those PVC cutters!

[@WatchWithMike]

It works amazingly well!