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Tension ring? Please explain

Gui13250
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Hi there,
I’ve read many post talking about tension ring, could someone explain to me what is it?

if I well understood, it is kind of a ring around the dial to make sure it will not move, right?

my 168.005 does not have an original omega Chrystal, how to know if it has a proper tension ring? Can the picture below allow you to say whether it has one or not?

if it does not have it, should I change Chrystal and asking for adding a tension ring?



thanks to all!
 
C198639B-F681-4DF2-9276-CC1A2D9AC1CA.png
JimInOz
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The tension ring used with Omega crystals is like a circular spring that compresses as the crystal is fitted down into the case, and then it expands slightly to maintain pressure around the periphery of the crystal thus holding the crystal in engagement with the case.

Standard Omega crystals come with an integrated tension ring (where required) in either steel (silver) of gold plated steel (gold).

Edit: And IMO, they should be called "compression" rings as they are not "pulling", but "pushing" outwards, thereby compressing the crystal.
 
S.H.
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Gui13250 Gui13250
if I well understood, it is kind of a ring around the dial to make sure it will not move, right?


No, it is a metal ring inside the crystal, ensuring tighter fit (waterproofness) in the case compared to a simple plexi crystal. The ring may have a specific recess for the dial, and be specific to the case . Crystals and tension rings are usually bought together. (they are specific for omegas and you order one using case number)

Can't tell much more with a picture...
 
Gui13250
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S.H. S.H.
No, it is a metal ring inside the crystal, ensuring tighter fit (waterproofness) in the case compared to a simple plexi crystal. The ring may have a specific recess for the dial, and be specific to the case . Crystals and tension rings are usually bought together. (they are specific for omegas and you order one using case number)

Can't tell much more with a picture...
Thanks for precision.
I thought it would be possible to see the tension ring on a picture, and as I don’t see anything as a metal ring around the dial and against the crystal, thought it is missing.

Does any watchmaker can get a original omega crystal with proper tension ring or do I have to go to an official omega watchmaker?
 
S.H.
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I usually can order what I need by other channels than omega, I'm not certified. But some are harder to find than others.
 
STANDY
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Take a full picture of the dial, you can usually see the gap in the tension ring. ie: a line or break
 
Gui13250
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STANDY STANDY
Take a full picture of the dial, you can usually see the gap in the tension ring. ie: a line or break
Here is one I have on my phone, not sure it will help.
 
5709093E-971F-4473-8974-F707F5832C82.png
dx009
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Generic tension ring crystals can be found as well. Whether they correctly fit your watch can be a trial and error type thing. There's a chance it might fit, there's a chance it won't. Some rings are flat some have a small reces for the dial.

One more thing. Tension ring crystals don't ofer waterproofness (they do fit in tighter in the case but it's not enough). You need a gasket for that.

Pics of a generic tension ring crystal. Can't tell if yours has one or not. It seems to me that it has one. I feel like i can see the reflexion of the 12 o'clock marker in it.

20200127_130705.jpg 20200127_130645.jpg 20200127_130636.jpg
 
Gui13250
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Well, with a closer look I see like a metal ring inside inside, but I guess it not not as wide as an original as I can see like a small gap between the end of the dial and the metal ring (visible on my first picture).
I guess I will keep it like that and will ask for a proper omega crystal when this one will have too many scratch.
Thanks to all 😀
 
S.H.
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dx009 dx009
One more thing. Tension ring crystals don't ofer waterproofness (they do fit in tighter in the case but it's not enough). You need a gasket for that.

They can, they do, and there is no crystal gasket for those (there are usually gaskets in the caseback and crown though). You can find specialized tension ring crystals for skin divers that can withstand quite a few bars.
 
Peemacgee
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dx009 dx009
Generic tension ring crystals can be found as well. Whether they correctly fit your watch can be a trial and error type thing. There's a chance it might fit, there's a chance it won't. Some rings are flat some have a small reces for the dial.

One more thing. Tension ring crystals don't ofer waterproofness (they do fit in tighter in the case but it's not enough). You need a gasket for that.

Pics of a generic tension ring crystal. Can't tell if yours has one or not. It seems to me that it has one. I feel like i can see the reflexion of the 12 o'clock marker in it.

20200127_130705.jpg 20200127_130645.jpg 20200127_130636.jpg

I’m pretty sure I’ve read a couple of posts from @Archer explaining how an Omega tension ring and crystal are designed to fit together which generic replacements may not do, negating watertightness.
As @S.H. says, Connies are designed to be waterproof (were not talking diving here) and they don’t have a crystal gasket.

Also, the generic tension rings are often a different size (width) which you can see illustrated by the Swiss Made T being partially obscured on @Gui13250 ’s watch.
 
Gui13250
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
I’m pretty sure I’ve read a couple of posts from @Archer explaining how an Omega tension ring and crystal are designed to fit together which generic replacements may not do, negating watertightness.
As @S.H. says, Connies are designed to be waterproof (were not talking diving here) and they don’t have a crystal gasket.

Also, the generic tension rings are often a different size (width) which you can see illustrated by the Swiss Made T being partially obscured on @Gui13250 ’s watch.
Actually it is the picture orientation which make the T obscured 😀
In my case, the tension ring seems less wide than the original omega, as I can see a small gap between the end of the dial and the tension ring
 
dx009
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Waterproof pretty much means you can submerge it in water and it won't get inside. I guess it's more splashproof or perhaps resistant at a very small depth.

Yes, generally it's better to use the genuine Omega crystal but I believe some vintage Omegas can safely fit a generic tension ring crystal but I guess there are higher chances that it won't fit correctly or that it'll cause some damage to the dial over time. It depends on the model.

@Gui13250 do you actually see the edge of the dial or are you simply talking about the small gap between the ring and the hour markers ? Tension rings don't necessarily have to touch the markers. It depends on how the dial and the case are designed. Often the problem with an incorrect tension ring is that it presses too much on the dial when the case back is screwed in and it can cause the paint to wear off, maybe even warp the dial.
Edited:
 
Peemacgee
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Gui13250 Gui13250
Actually it is the picture orientation which make the T obscured 😀
In my case, the tension ring seems less wide than the original omega, as I can see a small gap between the end of the dial and the tension ring

ok, it could be the angle.
If there is a gap at one side and not the other, it could be that the dial isn’t centralised.
I don’t think the tension ring should be any larger.
Perhaps a more straight on pic would help.
 
Radiumpassion
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Aftermarket crystal or missing rings can also cause the movement to
be loose in the case, and move during winding and setting the watch....
 
Gui13250
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
ok, it could be the angle.
If there is a gap at one side and not the other, it could be that the dial isn’t centralised.
I don’t think the tension ring should be any larger.
Perhaps a more straight on pic would help.
It is all around, not just one side. I’m talking about a gap that I need I zoom a lot on it to see..
 
6563C6C6-F73C-4052-B334-DB78D908425D.jpeg
ChrisN
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dx009 dx009
One more thing. Tension ring crystals don't ofer waterproofness (they do fit in tighter in the case but it's not enough). You need a gasket for that.

dx009 dx009
Waterproof pretty much means you can submerge it in water and it won't get inside. I guess it's more splashproof or perhaps resistant at a very small depth.

I think you don't mean this the way I'm reading it - you can get watches without special gaskets that are water resistant to a significant depth and they don't have special gaskets, just crystals with a tension ring - here's an example:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/pressure-testing-a-watchco-sm300.45375/

Now, a PloProf is another matter entirely and has special seals but, in the fifties and sixties, watches with water resistance generally had crystals with tension rings - 200m is a great depth so, the design is sound.

I wonder if the OP has the wrong crystal as you shouldn't be able to see a gap to the case - I can't see it myself in these pictures but, the dial should be larger than the inner diameter of the tension ring for this watch.

Cheers, Chris
 
S.H.
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dx009 dx009
Waterproof pretty much means you can submerge it in water and it won't get inside. I guess it's more splashproof or perhaps resistant at a very small depth.

Yeah, "splashproof" up to 30 bars 😉 for some...
 
Archer
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dx009 dx009
Waterproof pretty much means you can submerge it in water and it won't get inside. I guess it's more splashproof or perhaps resistant at a very small depth.

This is completely incorrect. Crystals with tension rings can withstand quite significant depths.
 
Gui13250
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dx009 dx009
Waterproof pretty much means you can submerge it in water and it won't get inside. I guess it's more splashproof or perhaps resistant at a very small depth.

Yes, generally it's better to use the genuine Omega crystal but I believe some vintage Omegas can safely fit a generic tension ring crystal but I guess there are higher chances that it won't fit correctly or that it'll cause some damage to the dial over time. It depends on the model.

@Gui13250 do you actually see the edge of the dial or are you simply talking about the small gap between the ring and the hour markers ? Tension rings don't necessarily have to touch the markers. It depends on how the dial and the case are designed. Often the problem with an incorrect tension ring is that it presses too much on the dial when the case back is screwed in and it can cause the paint to wear off, maybe even warp the dial.
I think I see the edge of the dial, or at least a non painted part. I’m pretty sure it is the tension ring which is not wide enough. Mine is flat but other seems to be wider
 
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