Need Replacement Crystal for 1954 Seamaster Ref: 14350

rendo · Feb 15, 2023

I would try to gently lift the movement out from the side where you removed the screw. If it doesn't seem to be moving, please don't apply too much force. I think this movement has a single clamp, but let's wait to see if someone with more experience can confirm that.

A.aeschbury · Feb 17, 2023

Created a new thread and got some additional advice. After a bit of careful prying the movement was liberated from the case. The crystal also popped right out, which I didn't think was supposed to happen, but here we are. I then carefully removed the bezel and now I'm trying to understand if I have a tension ring or not. Theres nothing attached to the existing crystal.

I'm unsure if the tension ring is still stuck in the case or if its missing. If someone could please advise that would be much appreciated. I was hoping to reuse the tension ring with a generic crystal as mentioned further up the thread.

gatorcpa · Feb 17, 2023

I don’t see a tension ring on your crystal.

Usually they are gold or silver and cover small gaps between the dial and the inside edge of the case.

gatorcpa

A.aeschbury · Feb 17, 2023

right on. I'm leaning toward a generic crystal and tension ring the genuine PX5000 is proving hard to source and fairly expensive. Thanks for the info.

ChrisN · Feb 17, 2023

Assuming the information about PX5000 is correct, why not just buy a new Sternkreuz ATG296? Diameter is 29.6mm and height about 4.5 mm. It comes with the gold coloured tension ring and would be a direct fit - cost in Europe is about $8. A branded crystal is the best and definitely preferred but at $100, the price is ridiculous for your watch.

Am I misunderstanding or are these old G-S crystals really sold without a tension ring? Seems very odd and I'd suspect the one shown above is a snap fit.

By the way, why did you remove the bezel?

It looks to me as if someone has fitted a snap-fit non tension ring crystal to your case, probably because they were not aware of the correct one. Some crystals are snap fit, some are tension ring plus there are other types. You fit crystals in different ways depending on the type but, you'll need a crystal press to fit one correctly to this case.

There is a lot here to understand and this is just changing a crystal. Take it very slowly.

Good luck, Chris

A.aeschbury · Feb 17, 2023

ChrisN
Assuming the information about PX5000 is correct, why not just buy a new Sternkreuz ATG296? Diameter is 29.6mm and height about 4.5 mm. It comes with the gold coloured tension ring and would be a direct fit - cost in Europe is about $8. A branded crystal is the best and definitely preferred but at $100, the price is ridiculous for your watch.

Am I misunderstanding or are these old G-S crystals really sold without a tension ring? Seems very odd and I'd suspect the one shown above is a snap fit.

By the way, why did you remove the bezel?

It looks to me as if someone has fitted a snap-fit non tension ring crystal to your case, probably because they were not aware of the correct one. Some crystals are snap fit, some are tension ring plus there are other types. You fit crystals in different ways depending on the type but, you'll need a crystal press to fit one correctly to this case.

There is a lot here to understand and this is just changing a crystal. Take it very slowly.

Good luck, Chris

I definitely don't plan to spend $100 on a genuine crystal for this, was considering cruising ebay to see if I could find a deal on something. I'm not familar with the G-S crystals personally. I was just going off the information about the tension ring provided previously.

I removed the bezel as I was under the impression that had to come off to fit the new crystal and tension ring. The videos I've watched show people placing the case on a press, then the crystal/tension ring, then the bezel and pressing that whole assembly together at once. If thats not the way assembly works I'd love to hear the correct way to go about it.

Thanks for the info on the Sternkreuz. I'll see if I can find a source for those in the US, that does sound like what I need. So far I've found a couple generic options

Hovigs:

https://hovigs.com/products/generic-omega-crystal-yellow-cry-637

as well as something that might work from etsy (cheapest option I've found)

etsy link

ChrisN · Feb 17, 2023

Al has explained fitting tension ring crystals here:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/basic-watchmaking-tips-crystal-fitting.155470/

I hadn't seen that thread before but knew he'd have something out there. He does go through lots of crystal types there. I wonder if the video you saw was for a different style - there are a fair few out there and some different ideas from Omega but, in this case, it is very simple.

Try Jules Borel for crystals. I see they sell Sternkreuz but seem to have changed the codes. I'm in Europe so I don't use material suppliers much from the USA - others will be able to advise. $10 is a fair amount for a simple generic crystal like this.

Best, Chris

ChrisN · Feb 17, 2023

Ah, the Red rooster Etsy link showed as UK prices. If you end up buying from UK, try Cousins - taxes and postage are extra. Obviously, there are loads of more suitable USA material suppliers than buying from UK. I assume you're in USA but apologies if that's incorrect.

A.aeschbury · Feb 17, 2023

I'll message the folks at Jules Borel looks like they carry a couple different lines of tension ring crystals that come in 29.6mm dia. I didn't realize that etsy seller was UK based.

Maybe I'm not understanding the instructions in the link you shared but it looks like the crystal with a tension ring presses in from the front in which case it seems like the bezel either needs to be off to press the crystal into the case or you press the crystal and bezel at the same time. Heres the video i've been reviewing, its not exactly my case ref but it seems very close.

Pertinent clip starts at 41:45

I really appreciate the help. I'm not trying to argue at all, just want to make sure I understand the steps before I do something stupid. I've made it this far without breaking things (I think...). Thanks!

TexOmega · Feb 17, 2023

I’m on my 3rd double bourbon with all this hair-raisin’ suspense and terror! Much like a movie with cliff-hangers every 20 minutes.

Hope you can land that plane with only one engine, low fuel and just one swig of hootch left in the thermos!

keepin’ my fingers crossed for you.

ChrisN · Feb 17, 2023

At the time you mentioned in the video, he is refitting the bezel but says that he has already fitted the crystal to the case - he didn't show that but, you can't show everything. Did he refinish the case? In which case, he probably removed the bezel for that reason alone. You don't need to remove the bezel to fit the crystal for this watch or for the majority of watches - the crystal fits into the case and the bezel is slightly larger so it does not interfere with the crystal fitment.

Cheers, Chris

A.aeschbury · Feb 17, 2023

ChrisN
At the time you mentioned in the video, he is refitting the bezel but says that he has already fitted the crystal to the case - he didn't show that but, you can't show everything. Did he refinish the case? In which case, he probably removed the bezel for that reason alone. You don't need to remove the bezel to fit the crystal for this watch or for the majority of watches - the crystal fits into the case and the bezel is slightly larger so it does not interfere with the crystal fitment.

Cheers, Chris

Really appreciate you taking the time to show me the ropes. He did refinish the case. Thanks for all your help.

A.aeschbury · Feb 20, 2023

I ordered a replacement generic crystal from the G-S Steptite line. After a bunch of research and cross reference I think this is the correct generic replacement. It should have a step cut in the underside of the tension ring to ensure it doesn't interfere with the dial. So many different manufacture part numbers/dealer numbers/ring names (tension, reflector, armor)

My other hobby is bicycles and I thought that that industry had a real problem with nomenclature and excessive standard creep. The watch world is a whole other level!

A.aeschbury · Mar 7, 2023

I was able to get the watch back together, seems to be running as it should. I am having some issues with the stem seating into the keyless works as you can see in these photos, but I'm gonna call my part of the project done. I really like the look of the watch and am feeling good about spending the money to have it serviced, so I'm going to be dropping it off to a professional.

Thanks again for all your help Omega Forum members. I certainly enjoyed this little project and am looking to purchase a cheaper watch or movement to practice working on.

smorrisonmd · Mar 7, 2023

For your maiden voyage, I think you have done very well. Congrats!
Snip a couple of mm off the stem, and I think your "seating into the works"problem will be solved.

Need Replacement Crystal for 1954 Seamaster Ref: 14350

rendo

A.aeschbury

gatorcpa

A.aeschbury

ChrisN

A.aeschbury

ChrisN

ChrisN

A.aeschbury

TexOmega

ChrisN

A.aeschbury

A.aeschbury

A.aeschbury

smorrisonmd

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