Any alternatives to OP for crystal replacement?

[SMD]

I have a small scratch on my sapphire crystal and called Panerai NYC to see how much it would cost to replace. They would not get specific on pricing (must be sent in for an estimate) but they said it would be at least $300 plus they would have to evaluate the entire watch. They conceded it would take about a month to get the crystal replaced if they had it in stock.

So my question -- are there any alternatives to going through OP that might be quicker and/or less expensive?

[mfer]

Originally Posted by SMD

I have a small scratch on my sapphire crystal and called Panerai NYC to see how much it would cost to replace. They would not get specific on pricing (must be sent in for an estimate) but they said it would be at least $300 plus they would have to evaluate the entire watch. They conceded it would take about a month to get the crystal replaced if they had it in stock.

So my question -- are there any alternatives to going through OP that might be quicker and/or less expensive?

I'm in the same boat as you except with a second hand. I'd rather talk to a watchmaker more directly to fix my watch than hand it off to a nameless committee which doesn't have the best reputation.

[Cru Jones]

is it small enough that you can wait for the normal service interval? that would be preferable to an aftermarket crystal or hundreds of dollars & wait time, no?

[SMD]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

is it small enough that you can wait for the normal service interval? that would be preferable to an aftermarket crystal or hundreds of dollars & wait time, no?

Just serviced about 8 months ago so it would be a bit of a wait. It's not large though.

I was just curious whether there were people like the Rik for non-rolex watches that had a one parts account.

[kilyung]

There are plenty of aftermarket crystals for Panerais that a watchmaker can order. It's a very simple and quick job. Then you can replace it with OEM at next service.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by kilyung

There are plenty of aftermarket crystals for Panerais that a watchmaker can order. It's a very simple and quick job. Then you can replace it with OEM at next service.

Thank you

[mborkow]

What does someone else besides PASC opening the watch do to the warranty?

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by mborkow

What does someone else besides PASC opening the watch do to the warranty?

Voids it but if it's out of warranty who cares? In the OP's case, since just got it serviced he should just live with it for now.

[mborkow]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Voids it but if it's out of warranty who cares? In the OP's case, since just got it serviced he should just live with it for now.

Since the OP just had it serviced, the watch is under warranty...I suspect PASC is a PITA about warranty work so I'd live with the scratch (at least until the watch was out of warranty).

BTW, do you have a picture of the watch w/scratch? I'm curious how bad it is...

[DreambreaX]

try to polish with cape cod cloth first. sometimes the scratch gone. unless its a deep scratch

[SMD]

Sorry for the delay - been traveling. Here is a pic. I was thinking about trying some diamond paste as a stop gap.