Sapphire crystal

[1200m]

Hi guys,
my sd sapphire crystal hv a small scratch. Is it possible to remove thru DIY??...how to?

[Tools]

Moved from the reference Library as it is not reference material............

[snow_rocks]

No, unless you have the proper tools.

[Boadicea]

Out of interest, how did you scratch it? I've smacked mine a few times and never scratched it...

[Boadicea]

I should probably rephrase that last post....

[1200m]

sorrie...it nt a scratch, is a very tinny chip at the edges...dun noe how i gt it...

seem like the only solution is a replacement!

[Tools]

I have a couple that get hard use that have some small chips around the edge.. It won't really affect any thing and can be easily replaced, although a sapphire crystal is around 200USD..

Crystal replacement is not normally a DIY operation unless you have the proper press, gasket materials and pressure check equipment...

[ParisDakarBmw]

Originally Posted by Tools

I have a couple that get hard use that have some small chips around the edge.. It won't really affect any thing and can be easily replaced, although a sapphire crystal is around 200USD..

Crystal replacement is not normally a DIY operation unless you have the proper press, gasket materials and pressure check equipment...

X2, Proper tools, and experiance required to replace

[vjb.knife]

I think the OP is talking about polishing or grinding out the chip in the crystal, not replacing the crystal. If that is the case I doubt it. Any light polishing would take forever and heavier grinding would likely shatter the crystal.

[Tools]

Rolex does polish crystals on a service..

I believe that they use a diamond paste.......

[1200m]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex does polish crystals on a service..

I believe that they use a diamond paste.......

Will request that wen if I send in for servicing...thks...

[Atl]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex does polish crystals on a service..

I believe that they use a diamond paste.......

They'd have to as on the hardness scale it's a 9 and diamond being a 10. Unlike Spinal Tap, there is no 11.

[frank gama]

I once chipped the edge of the crystal on my datejust. Tiny chip at the edge and not obvious at first glance. But I could feel it when I ran my fingernail along the circumference of the crystal and this used to annoy me (I get quite obsessional about such things). I managed to smoothen the chipped edge with the diamond file in my leatherman pocket tool. Had to be v-e-r-y careful not to scratch the bezel but was quite pleased with the results. When the watch eventually went for servicing RSC changed the crystal for me.

[1200m]

Beside diamond file, can oil stone do the job?...can this abrasive kit overcome the sapphire glass hardness?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 1200m

Hi guys,
my sd sapphire crystal hv a small scratch. Is it possible to remove thru DIY??...how to?

Well truth be told now with modern abrasives yes you can remove scratches from sapphire crystals.Yes believe it or not they do scratch,you will need some good quality diamond paste. I have used 3 micron to remove the main scratch going across the scratch first,it takes a fair bit of elbow grease.Just a tiny bit on a cloth like a spectacles cloth or similar.Then just a fine polish after with the quarter micron,and scratch will be gone,and good as new. Cost for the two tubes in the UK around £15-£20 expect far cheaper out of the UK.And far cheaper than a new crystal takes a bit of time,if scratch is very deep or badly chipped then crystal should be replaced.
Important to get the two tubes 3 micron to start and quarter micron to fine polish as new.

[Engi]

My personal experience with the diamond paste is incredibly positive: this afternoon using different paste (from 5 micron to 0.5 micron) in about 40 minutes of work I was able to perfectly remove several scratches from a sapphire crystal of my watch.

That was also more difficult because some of those scratches were just on the "angle" of the crystal (I mean just at the protruding border of the crystal). The final result is incredible, the crystal is new, no issues at all and also the "nail test" is OK !

I suggest you to try those diamond paste (I used the ones in the syringes), it's absolutely worthwhile !

I'm sorry, no pics of my job (no camera available at the moment)


Ciao

Engi