Replacing watch glass

[cst]

Morning,

I have just smashed the glass in one of my cheap daily watches only €10, it looks like its going to cost more than the original purchase price to replace the glass, but I like it. I am just not sure how to measure the diameter if it, do I measure the case with or without the plastic ring in it and has anybody replaced one before some tips would be most appreciated.

Many thanks

Chris

[RichTT]

The plastic ring is a gasket that when the crystal is in place is under compression and gives you a degree of water resistance. You would want to measure the inner diameter of the case and subtract the width of the gasket essentially.

Are you planning on fitting this back in yourself?

[cst]

Thanks Rich, it measures 37.1mm and the ring is 0.45mm so I will have a look for a glass around the 36.1-2mm mark.

I was going to attempt to fit it myself, am I going to need any special tools or will I just break it? Would going to a watch/jewellery repair shop be better?

Thanks

[RichTT]

This should be what you're looking for

http://www.cousinsuk.com/catalog/4/2075/2158.aspx

Very inexpensive. Ideally you want a crystal press. which would hold the watch perfectly flat and press down equally all over the crystal in order not to deform the gasket or break the crystal.

To be honest if you have a competent watchsmith near you he would more than likely have something suitable in stock as well as the correct tools.

[cst]

Thanks for link, much cheaper than eBay, might get the other sizes around it at that price!

I think I might give it go by putting in a vice between some wooden blocks covered in cloth, if that fails I'll try a local jewellers.

Thanks again

[cst]

All done,easy peasy. Bought a new gasket and the glass and pushed it in gently with the aid of a vice and some wood blocks!

Thanks for the advice.