Insert-pearl question-advice needed

[roll9]

can a pearl be moved from one insert to another with out fear of it being damaged?

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by roll9

can a pearl be moved from one insert to another with out fear of it being damaged?

No. It can be done, but not without fear

[Robbyvm]

the amber one looks great on the gilt !
the other one is to white, maybe you can darken it somehow ? ( tea, coffee, ... i'm sure some of the fellow forummembers have experimented ?)

[CharlieMae]

I dont know how you could darken one. The tritium is like a powder, imagine flour as an example. It is held together by a water based binder, sometimes a lacquer based binder. If the water based binder gets wet then it will crumble and wash away. If it is lacquer based then water wont effect it but, chemicals will and the chemicals will cause the lacquer based binder to dissolve.

It is the same stuff used on the dial plots. I dont suggest trying to spray tea or coffee on your dial or soaking your pearls in there either. However, some of these rep guys have figured out a way to do it. Maybe they arent doing it to genuine trit pearls but, they have the look down pretty good on some of these aftermarket inserts.

The other issue is that the trit is packed into the hole of the pearl. Even if you could darken the back side, which is the open side, you would have to saturate it enough to soak all the way down into the cap of the pearl (top).

Since I have a bunch, I have looked at them under a loupe many times. Some are packed tight up to the top, some have developed a center hole (like a volcano) and others are mashed down tight into the pearl, leaving the top third or so empty.

Let me see if I can find a few pics to post, they are crazy looking.

[CharlieMae]

I found some pics, this is what they look like up close.

[jguerrad]

Originally Posted by roll9

can a pearl be moved from one insert to another with out fear of it being damaged?

I did it for the first time and it was not that difficult, I took the bezel out but did not remove the insert, with the insert securely inside the bezel (with the logic that it would keep the insert firm), I pushed the pearl from the back with the pin that I use to change bracelets and it popped (careful here because they fly), so after 10 min looking for the dam thing on the floor, I tried placing it with tweezers and was never able to insert, so I wetted my index finger (sorry for the detail but some saliva here worked) and picked it up and just pushed it inside the insert (securely inside the bezel) and after one or two tries the pearl just clicked and remained securely in place. Then repeated the process (this next time careful not to have the dam pearl fly all over my desk).

Good luck!

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by jguerrad

Then repeated the process (this next time careful not to have the dam pearl fly all over my desk).

There are 2 kinds of "watch idiot savants".....Those who have lost a small watch part and those who will lose one in the future !!

Good job on your pearls!

[Dr DRW]

I couldn't live without the pearl
the darker one looks great

[roll9]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

No. It can be done, but not without fear

Sounds like a bad idea then

[roll9]

Originally Posted by jguerrad

I did it for the first time and it was not that difficult, I took the bezel out but did not remove the insert, with the insert securely inside the bezel (with the logic that it would keep the insert firm), I pushed the pearl from the back with the pin that I use to change bracelets and it popped (careful here because they fly), so after 10 min looking for the dam thing on the floor, I tried placing it with tweezers and was never able to insert, so I wetted my index finger (sorry for the detail but some saliva here worked) and picked it up and just pushed it inside the insert (securely inside the bezel) and after one or two tries the pearl just clicked and remained securely in place. Then repeated the process (this next time careful not to have the dam pearl fly all over my desk).

Good luck!

good to hear that success is possible.

[roll9]

The reason I was asking is because I would like to find a more faded insert for my 1680 in the near future but I think I may be able to find a good pearl to match the dial now. If I do I would love to pop it in right away but I wouldn't want to risk breaking it when I do get The faded insert.

[jban5]

I had lived without Pearl for several years. My mail order from Down Under took care of that, arrived and popped in today.

Now I will have to worry a bit that I may eventually look at the time and see that huge gaping open hole again.

Does anyone recommend doing anything, like glue, to keep loss from happening?

[Dr DRW]

Pearl is a must!