What tools used to set a crystal for a 176.005?

I recently purchased a 176.005. It needed a new crystal, as the old one was slightly scratched, but serviceable. I bought a gasket and crystal from OFRIE and then took the watch to a local watch maker. He discovered that special tools are needed, one he does not own, or could borrow.

I now have a watch without a crystal installed. Can anyone here install if I send them the watch or make a recommendation?

I have to ask the same question. This link is a good read but discusses round, grooved crystals where a seal fits around the crystal in the groove. The special tool facilitates compression of the seal as the crystal is being inserted into the case. The 176.005 crystals don't have this groove. They use a crystal sleeve and another black o-ring type seal that goes in on top of a "ledge" at the bottom of the crystal sleeve. The sleeve is installed into the case, then the seal, then the crystal, but nobody can do it. Plus this case has the TV screen shape so that may complicate things.

I've seen several say that their watch maker has been unable to install these crystals, with most saying the crystals break when trying. Then they claim a special tool is required. I haven't seen anybody write of successfully installing a crystal. What is the secret? Can anybody do this?

I recently replaced one of those, here is the customers commentary and write up.

A standard crystal press does the job, I have a Horotec.

Can't help otherwise, I am in France so a bit of distance from you...

Rob

https://omegaforums.net/threads/my-seamaster-176-005-was-resurrected-full-story.35573/

Great! I'd read his earlier thread where he was looking for suggestions about restoring that watch but hadn't seen the follow up. This is good news, but from what I've read you're quite a talented watch repairer. Do you think this is within reach of most others in your field? As I said, all I've read are stories of disappointment and that's been the case with my watch. This was attempted by a highly regarded specialist on these forums, as well. He sent it back and said "Good luck, this has to be sent to Omega". I have this watch at my local watch maker right now and he doesn't see a problem, though he hasn't attempted it yet. He is good though.

Can you confirm how I think this is installed? When I took the watch to him neither of us realized that a black o-ring type seal was required. We have the gray crystal sleeve. It's actually round but with a bit of work he could stretch it to fit around the tv screen shaped crystal. But this sleeve actually has to be placed into the case first, without the crystal, right? And then this (recently learned of) black seal goes in next and rests on top of a tiny ledge running around the perimeter of the bottom edge of the crystal sleeve. And then you simply press the crystal in place? I can see one issue might be that the crystal sleeve, being normally round and flexible, wouldn't sit tightly into the corners of the case. Is an adhesive required to help with that, or another set of hands (human hands)? One other question - can you please tell me if the tachy bezel is top or bottom loaded into the case?

Thank you very much!

So, sure enough, my watch guy broke the crystal while trying to install it, and he's quite capable at his profession. He says no black o-ring type gasket is required, in spite of Otto Frei insisting that it was. Now he's going to cut a custom fit crystal.

Interesting. I spoke with them couple months back, was told only gasket and crystal required. (In a phone call he said just crystal and gasket).

Hi Bernard,

The OME-063TN5239 is for case #176.005 and only has beveled in one side. The crystal should be installed with beveled side down and shiny side facing upward.

Best Regards,
San

I think he was using the "gasket" term loosely. Omega Crystal Sleeve 098EG0028OME-098EG0028 is what's required to be installed with and to seal the crystal. I was also told by an Ofrei parts rep that Omega Crystal O-Ring Gasket 088NS0039OME-088NS0039 was also required, even though their site doesn't list it as applying to the 176.005 and the crystal you've listed above. Apparently she didn't know what she was talking about and this last part, the O-Ring Gasket, is indeed NOT used in the 176.005. This is according to my watch maker.

Hi, I´m a newbie on this forum but I just saw this post and decided to pitch in as a watchmaker. The crystal can be installed easily without the sleeve for the O-ring with a crystal press. I do it weekly as I do repair.

Reimal, I replaced a 31.6mm tension ring crystal on a Seamaster 30 once by heating the (empty-movement removed) case on a 60 watt light bulb and placing the crystal in the freezer for 5 minutes. The temperature differential allowed the new chilled tension ring crystal to snap into the heated case with just finger pressure with a satisfying little "snap" sound.

When the case and crystal return to normal temperature, the crystal was a normal tight fit. I'm curious if watchmakers use this hot/cold method. It seems like a lower stress way of replacing crystals.

Yes the press is what i would also just use, just get a bigger press, like a table version. Bigger press is more power and control. I have only used this hot and cold method when I´m fitting custom pre-cut pinions to clock axel shafts.