On low dome crystals

SkunkPrince · Oct 4, 2020

felsby
Rehaut = ?

A rehaut is a ring between crystal and dial that has things printed on it.

For example:

https://millenarywatches.com/rolex-engraved-rehaut/

Omega crystals have a tension ring, some of them, designed to hold them in place and provide enhanced water resistance. Some of our fellow forum members call that tension ring a "rehaut" even though they are VERY WRONG to do so.

Not that I care. 😁

Deafboy · Oct 4, 2020

I wonder if the high dome is designed for better resistance to water pressure than the almost flat crystals. Older watches were often not sealed at all (no waterproofness) so no need for a thick high dome.

I have a 1953 Longines dress watch that had a high dome and it was truly unattractive. One could hardly see the perlé minute markers on the periphery of the dial. Also the dome creates a dark halo on the edged (as clearly seen from the post from @felsby). Replacing the dome with one with a low profile improved the appearance of the watch immensely. Much more luminous and easier to see the whole set of perlé minute markers.

malilis · Oct 5, 2020

Hi !
I cannot agree more ..! I have several vintage watches from the '50ties and '60ties .. for each I tried to get a low crystal installed .. when it was possible it, indeed, improved immensely the look of the watch that suddenly became "larger" ! It is obviously more possible with watches that have a small second .. but I managed to do it for chronographs also. When it comes to steel ring reinforced crystal, it become mores difficult .. but still, always the original was sitting lower; I have the case with this Omega Geneve from early 70ties.
Actually, it is all part of the fun .. isn't ?

seekingseaquest · Oct 16, 2020

Quick bump on this thread to ask a question. I also very much prefer the original low-domes. However, that's not always an option..

So, has anyone been able to source genuine Omega low dome crystals? I've seen three types of packaging - see below, presumably in order of oldest to newest. Do #1 or #2 tend to be low dome? I know #3 is not.

#1 - paper sleeve packaging

#2 - plastic bag packaging

#3 - new Omega packaging

tjdwhite · Sep 17, 2022

seekingseaquest
Quick bump on this thread to ask a question. I also very much prefer the original low-domes. However, that's not always an option..

So, has anyone been able to source genuine Omega low dome crystals? I've seen three types of packaging - see below, presumably in order of oldest to newest. Do #1 or #2 tend to be low dome? I know #3 is not.

#1 - paper sleeve packaging

#2 - plastic bag packaging

#3 - new Omega packaging

I've just ordered a paper sleeve packaging, fingers crossed it's the low profile. I'll update when I get it ...

felsby · Sep 17, 2022

tjdwhite
I've just ordered a paper sleeve packaging, fingers crossed it's the low profile. I'll update when I get it ...

We await your update!

tjdwhite · Sep 25, 2022

felsby
We await your update!

Ok so here's what I ordered (ebay seller jameschat10 - friendly, helpful, other sizes)

tjdwhite · Sep 25, 2022

The 30.6 is ~ 4.4mm thick and it's easy to see the Omega symbol. The 29.6 is 3.4mm thick and I've spent ages trying to capture the symbol, not sure if I've convinced myself that grains in the paper look like the symbol! The 30.6 is going on a

* Case No. 14900 - Crystal diameter of 30.6mm = No. 981 = PZ5014
* Case No. 14393 - Crystal diameter of 29.6mm = No. 978 = PZ5140 (he didn't have this one, so I bought the gold 979 hoping to re-use the existing tension band (or have this as a spare if I find another one).

Writing this out though I realise I've been a boob and photographed the 29.6 on the 14900 instead of the other way round. Anyway here you go for now, I'll take pictures the other way round when I have them out again!

First the 30.6mm / No. 981 / PZ5014 (compared with 14393 instead of 14900):

tjdwhite · Sep 25, 2022

Btw meant to say, pretty sure neither the crystals in these watches is original.

Now the 29.6mm / No. 979 / PX5140 (compared with 14900 instead of 14393):

felsby · Sep 25, 2022

The 29.6mm looks fairly flat?

SkunkPrince · Sep 25, 2022

I could use a couple of those 29.6 if you want to sell that one. I did find what I hope is another, here in the US.

tjdwhite · Sep 25, 2022

SkunkPrince
I could use a couple of those 29.6 if you want to sell that one. I did find what I hope is another, here in the US.

This is the ebay listing https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165445592021, no #979 left I'm afraid.

@felsby I don't know my arse from my elbow yet but yes it seems like a low profile to me! Both the 29.6 and 30.6 look no worse than the crystals that came on the watches and the 29.6 does look better.

SkunkPrince · Sep 25, 2022

tjdwhite
This is the ebay listing https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165445592021, no #979 left I'm afraid.

@felsby I don't know my arse from my elbow yet but yes it seems like a low profile to me! Both the 29.6 and 30.6 look no worse than the crystals that came on the watches and the 29.6 does look better.

Yep, saw that. Had a 2627 case with an original crystal with that lower dome and unfortunately it was garbage. That case also had its original crown, which was kinda neat. My watchmaker replaced its gasket so it could be reused.

tjdwhite · Sep 25, 2022

Here they are balanced on the right reference.

On low dome crystals

SkunkPrince

Deafboy

malilis

seekingseaquest

tjdwhite

felsby

tjdwhite

tjdwhite

tjdwhite

felsby

SkunkPrince

tjdwhite

SkunkPrince

tjdwhite

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