From bad to worse.....

[Hawk99]

From bad to worse...... please advise

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I have a 1680 sub, which I love dearly, and it is also my daily wearer. Recently I had noticed a couple of specs of tritium/lint on my dial, so I asked my watchmaker, who services this watch, to remove them, and while he was at it, remove a couple more which are attached to the underside of the crystal.
To make a long story short, I got my watch back, and the dial is perfect, no specs, but the underside of the crystal looks like it was washed with a solution, then left to dry, leaving a non-uniform haze on the inside of the crystal. It is very evident in certain lighting.

Is it possible to have him wipe this mess off with some sort of lint free paper, or is there another type of solution or procedure I should advise him of? Or should I just cut my losses, and get a new crystal?

Thank you.

[TimeToGo]

Absolutely, he should be able to clean it up...

[motoikkyu]

Could even be ultrasonic solution, when that gets contaminated it leaves some residue. I'd just re-sonic the crystal and air dry it.

[CrownMe]

Just have him be careful removing the crystal. 1680s are known to chip around the edges when the crystal is removed.

[Hawk99]

Originally Posted by motoikkyu

Could even be ultrasonic solution, when that gets contaminated it leaves some residue. I'd just re-sonic the crystal and air dry it.

I think the plan is to clean the crystal with it still attached to the case. I agree with this as removing the crystal and resetting it will jeopardize the waterproofness, which it currently passes.
Would you ultra sonic the crystal and case still attached? Any problems with that?

[pdoukas]

I'm still stuck at ultrasonic cleaning a plexi crystal. Am I the only one that thinks sticking a plastic crystal in an ultrasonic cleaner is a bad idea?

[RC2]

Had the same thing Happen. Watch maker cleaned off no issues. Rich

[motoikkyu]

Not sure I understand your concern, Pdoukas. If the solution is clean and fresh and safe for plastic, the ultrasonic agitation doesn't damage the crystals. I'm not using a parts-washer: benzine rings shall never touch plastic, I promise.

[Vincent65]

All it needs is to be wiped with a clean cloth - ultrasonic for a smudge is a bit like a sledgehammer for a walnut. Or are you going to tell him he must put it in the ultra-sonic, and he must not remove it from the case?!

[Hawk99]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

All it needs is to be wiped with a clean cloth - ultrasonic for a smudge is a bit like a sledgehammer for a walnut. Or are you going to tell him he must put it in the ultra-sonic, and he must not remove it from the case?!

I would be good with just a wipe with a clean cloth, as long as it does the job and no lint is left behind. The watchmaker is the one with the idea of not removing the crystal which I agree with. Less to go wrong IMO.

[motoikkyu]

I am not advocating the disassembly of a valuable timepiece for an issue that can be resolved with a soft cloth. But if you have generalized haze on the inside of a crystal and you are taking a watch apart ANYWAY, make sure your ultrasonic solution is clean. That's all. No disrespect or overkill was EVER intended. I once found myself with some evenly distributed haze on the inside of a crystal and thought I would have to replace it, (it didn't wipe or even smear with the soft cloth) but when it was apart for replacement of said crystal, I put it in the ultrasonic and the result was good.

[anilzat]

I use flitz paste to clean my crystal and the scratches go away.

[Hawk99]

Originally Posted by motoikkyu

I am not advocating the disassembly of a valuable timepiece for an issue that can be resolved with a soft cloth. But if you have generalized haze on the inside of a crystal and you are taking a watch apart ANYWAY, make sure your ultrasonic solution is clean. That's all. No disrespect or overkill was EVER intended. I once found myself with some evenly distributed haze on the inside of a crystal and thought I would have to replace it, (it didn't wipe or even smear with the soft cloth) but when it was apart for replacement of said crystal, I put it in the ultrasonic and the result was good.

None taken. I appreciate your input. I will definitely mention that maybe the solution was not clean, and another attempt should be in order, especially if it doesn't respond well to wiping.
Is there any issues with ultrasonic with the crystal attached to the case?

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by motoikkyu

Not sure I understand your concern, Pdoukas. If the solution is clean and fresh and safe for plastic, the ultrasonic agitation doesn't damage the crystals. I'm not using a parts-washer: benzine rings shall never touch plastic, I promise.

Ok. It was my understanding that plexi should never go in an ultrasonic because micro fractures could appear that would be unseen by the naked eye. Especially if still pressed on to a case because of the added pressure of being pressed in. I personally do not know this to be factual, but it sounds legit. Otherwise please excuse my ignorance.


Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse spelling, punctuation, and brevity.

[CrownMe]

just crazy to me that a watchmaker would install a dirty crystal. To me thats a pretty important step. Even if he forgot you would think he would of noticed during his final inspection. Goodluck with everything im sure it will all work out for you.

[Hawk99]

Originally Posted by CrownMe

just crazy to me that a watchmaker would install a dirty crystal. To me thats a pretty important step. Even if he forgot you would think he would of noticed during his final inspection. Goodluck with everything im sure it will all work out for you.

I was thinking the same, but we all make mistakes, or oversights in this case.
I will report the results, and what procedure is used.

[Hawk99]

UPDATE:
Watchmaker says it is not evaporated solution, but a physical mark on the crystal. Possible result from cleaning solution used in the first place.
His plan is to buff and polish the inside of the crystal. I hope this will work as I don't want to pay for another crystal.
Anyone have any experience doing this? Is this a common practice? Good results probable? Anyone have pics of this?
Thanks guys!

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by Hawk99

UPDATE:
Watchmaker says it is not evaporated solution, but a physical mark on the crystal. Possible result from cleaning solution used in the first place.
His plan is to buff and polish the inside of the crystal. I hope this will work as I don't want to pay for another crystal.
Anyone have any experience doing this? Is this a common practice? Good results probable? Anyone have pics of this?
Thanks guys!

It's widespread practice [around 'here'] to buff the outside, and with good results, so I'm sure your watchmaker will easily sort it out. It's quite common to have lint or fingerprints left under crystals, (I have had both, on different watches) although if I were a watchmaker, I don't think I could let one go back out like that, but hey… they're only human too.

[STEELINOX]

These guys service a multitude of pieces and at any one time one will slip thru the cracks and get missed; its happened to me, its not a big deal, alls it is - is a ltil bit of time and the guy usually will clean it up on the spot...

[RC2]

I am sure he knows what to do. Rich

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by Hawk99

UPDATE:
Watchmaker says it is not evaporated solution, but a physical mark on the crystal. Possible result from cleaning solution used in the first place.
His plan is to buff and polish the inside of the crystal. I hope this will work as I don't want to pay for another crystal.
Anyone have any experience doing this? Is this a common practice? Good results probable? Anyone have pics of this?
Thanks guys!

Goes back to my statement why use a polish to remove grease and debris in the first place. Using a degreaser solution on a plastic crystal will always be difficult to evaporate or wipe without leaving residue/streaks. Unless Rolex applies a uv coating to the underside, I don't think there will be an issue with a light hand polish unless the etching is deep.

I have used self made solutions to clean internals of high end camera lens glass with success without leaving streaks, but it takes patience. The coatings make it a challenge. On old camera lenses, grease can move from the lens to the glass as well fungus can grow on the glass. Because of the coating on the glass, polish would be a last resort.

Did you ask him what he used that etched the crystal and why he used it in the first place?

[Hawk99]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

Goes back to my statement why use a polish to remove grease and debris in the first place. Using a degreaser solution on a plastic crystal will always be difficult to evaporate or wipe without leaving residue/streaks. Unless Rolex applies a uv coating to the underside, I don't think there will be an issue with a light hand polish unless the etching is deep.

I have used self made solutions to clean internals of high end camera lens glass with success without leaving streaks, but it takes patience. The coatings make it a challenge. On old camera lenses, grease can move from the lens to the glass as well fungus can grow on the glass. Because of the coating on the glass, polish would be a last resort.

Did you ask him what he used that etched the crystal and why he used it in the first place?

No. Haven't wanted to ask yet. I don't want it to come across as an acusation. Maybe after he fixes it all up, as I am curious.

[anilzat]

Originally Posted by Hawk99

UPDATE:
Watchmaker says it is not evaporated solution, but a physical mark on the crystal. Possible result from cleaning solution used in the first place.
His plan is to buff and polish the inside of the crystal. I hope this will work as I don't want to pay for another crystal.
Anyone have any experience doing this? Is this a common practice? Good results probable? Anyone have pics of this?
Thanks guys!

As I said before I've used Flitz and it comes out good.

[Hawk99]

Would RODICO leave a haze behind, if used to blot up dust and debris on the underside of the crystal?
This is now what I think it is.
Tried getting a photo of this mess. Impossible.
Still waiting for watchmaker to recieve his order of buffers to complete the clean up. Can't wait.

[RC2]

Hawk. Would just replacing tropic be quicker?

[Hawk99]

Originally Posted by RC2

Hawk. Would just replacing tropic be quicker?

I am just waiting for "my guy" to get on with cleaning it. If it goes poorly, a new crystal is in my future.
I don't have a lot of options of getting this done quicker either way, as I don't have the tools to DIY.

[RC2]

Hawk, all ok?


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