The earlier Ω watches often had crystals with lower profile. I find these much more attractive. Consider these four connies:

From left to right, we have a 1952 ref. 2652 and a 1958 ref. 2852, both with original crystals:


Compare the profile of these two crystals with the original Ω replacement crystals on the two 2852 connies at the right:



I find the original low dome crystals incredibly attractive compared to the modern bowls. So much that I would like to ask, if Sternkreuz or other generic crystal manufacturers can supply crystals with tension rings and a "vintage" low profile? I don't want an Ω marked crystal, if I can get an attractive generic replacement.

What is your experience?

 

I'd only had the modern replacements until I bought a watch that had the original. Unfortunately for me, the case with the original was crap and so I was going to swap it with a better case of the same reference, but the crystal broke apart on removal.

So, I will be retaining the Omega-branded replacement but I will see what the Sternkreuz looks like and who knows, I might change my mind.

This is on a KO 2627, by the way.

 

On occasion, the height of a crystal is predicated by the amount of clearance required to avoid interfering with the sweep seconds hand. If the fit of the movement in the case allows the use of a lower dome crystal, good. But on occasion, the movement fits higher in the case, in which case the higher dome may be necessary.

 

Indeed. My watchmaker actually commented on this the other day, saying that too often he sees that higher crystals ment for watches with centre seconds hands are fitted on sub-second watches. In this case, however, it seems that the (correct) crystals themselves have become larger with time. I also prefer the thin profile personally.

 

Isn't the Omega PX/PZ5015 also the same in that the modern crystal replacement is much taller than the original vintage crystals? I put one of those on my 14900 and it looks like it's got a top hat on. The original crystal for that watch, which was cracked, was nowhere near as tall when it was mounted. Surely there must be a reason that these crystals have grown taller over time?

 

My theory is that they have to stock many fewer crystals if they're all the same profile and differ only in diameter and mounting method.

 

Original is always King













My WM was instructed to gently polish the original after I saw how much a monstrosity a modern crystal appeared.


Genta would have been flippin' and Karma was beginning to mark my name down......

 

I miss the old low profile (practically flat) crystal on my Dad’s old watch. When it broke the repair shop ‘couldn’t’ find a similar crystal so stuck one with a much higher profile. Now it doesn’t look half as good - a similar thing happened with its crown.

 

Is that a 14381? I hardly recognize it without the high dome...

 

We might use these instead....(Cousins)

 

yes, 14381-1 cal 551

 

I would have chosen the updated, but properly fitted, Omega version, if the crystal was beyond polishing.

 

Surely, if they don't look like fish bowls

 

Hi ! This so very true .. I have already spent quite some time to try finding low sitting crystals .. for my vintage Omega Geneve for instance .. not available anymore from Omaga (so I am told) perhaps from some specialized parts dealer .. but then always higher than the original one .. I thought I w&s being fussy and obsessed ! so I am glad to discover I am not alone ..!!

 

My watchmaker was kind enough to take this pic for me. Sternkreuz low dome on the left, Omega on the right.

Less difference than I would have thought.

 

Still, the Sternkreuz vertical edge and total height seems 30% lower at a glance.

 

I can find out the name of the crystals my watchmaker uses, may be Sternkreuz but I’m not sure.

Aside from the lower profile adding so much sveltiness to the impression of the watch, one of the main differences I notice is that often the higher profile crystal distort the edges of the dial when viewed head on and sometimes make the watch seem smaller.

 

Certainly!
Before:

After:

After - notice the beautifully smooth continuation of the bezel profile. I don't know about you guys, but stuff like that gives me immense pleasure that the dial scratch and patina cannot ruin.

 

In this case, there is no tension ring (IT'S NOT A FREAKING REHAUT!) so your choice of crystals are much greater.

 

Rehaut = ?