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Ultrasonic cleaning of case with crystal in situ

Davidt
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I occasionally give some of my watches an ultrasonic to get the grime out of nooks and crannies. Usually I strip the case down, so bracelet off, case back off, movement/dial out, bezel off if applicable and crystal out.

However, today I was wondering, is this necessary? Can I put the midcase in the ultrasonic without removing the crystal (assume 60’s plexi/hesalite) or is there a risk of the hesalite fracturing?
 
Canuck
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Davidt Davidt
I occasionally give some of my watches an ultrasonic to get the grime out of nooks and crannies. Usually I strip the case down, so bracelet off, case back off, movement/dial out, bezel off if applicable and crystal out.

However, today I was wondering, is this necessary? Can I put the midcase in the ultrasonic without removing the crystal (assume 60’s plexi/hesalite) or is there a risk of the hesalite fracturing?
The most likely scenario is the crystal may come out okay, but there is an increased likelihood of it breaking when being put back into the case. The material in these crystals tends to harden with age and become less flexible. Does the crystal have an internal reflector ring? These can often be re-inserted with a crystal press, or with cup and plunger type inserter. Why not replace the crystal rather than to salvage one that you are uncertain about?
 
Davidt
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Canuck Canuck
The most likely scenario is the crystal may come out okay, but there is an increased likelihood of it breaking when being put back into the case. The material in these crystals tends to harden with age and become less flexible. Does the crystal have an internal reflector ring? These can often be re-inserted with a crystal press, or with cup and plunger type inserter. Why not replace the crystal rather than to salvage one that you are uncertain about?
Thanks for the reply.
What I’m asking though, is do I need to remove the crystal at all. Could a steel mid case, crystal (with tension ring) and bezel simply be put in an ultrasonic in one piece or is it likely to result in cracking or crazing of the crystal?

This is a hypothetical rather than a specific watch I’m looking to clean.

I do have the tools to remove and reinstall crystals but I have been known to crack the odd one when reinstalling so I’m trying to decide whether I need to remove them when cleaning or can I just put them in the ultrasonic rather than removing them.
 
Canuck
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Cleaning the case having left a removable bezel in place on the case is like having a shower with rubber boots on. You won’t get all the crud out from behind the bezel. On occasion, acrylic crystals can crack near the edge, the crack hiding behind the bezel, There is no one-size-fits-all answer to your question. I will say that if I am dealing with a mineral or sapphire crystal, I leave the crystal in the case. But I make certain the crystal doesn’t loosen in the process of cleaning. Plastic? I decide on a case by case basis as to whether to remove it or not.
 
Davidt
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Canuck Canuck
Cleaning the case having left a removable bezel in place on the case is like having a shower with rubber boots on. You won’t get all the crud out from behind the bezel. On occasion, acrylic crystals can crack near the edge, the crack hiding behind the bezel, There is no one-size-fits-all answer to your question. I will say that if I am dealing with a mineral or sapphire crystal, I leave the crystal in the case. But I make certain the crystal doesn’t loosen in the process of cleaning. Plastic? I decide on a case by case basis as to whether to remove it or not.
Thanks, appreciate your thoughts, it’s a fair point about dirt behind the bezel as well
 
Davidt
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Archer Archer
No need to remove the crystals, generally speaking.
Thanks Al, appreciate it.
 
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