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SUB4Me · 17 April 2009, 01:14 PM

I have a small scratch not sure how it happened.

SLS · 17 April 2009, 01:46 PM

In most cases, no, you will have to buy a new crystal. There have been posts about some kind of polishing compound, but in my experience, you are out of luck.
~Scott

Bisquitlips · 17 April 2009, 01:47 PM

Probably the diamond from your wife's wedding ring. That is one theory as to how this happens.

No, I don't believe they can be buffed. But others may know more than I do about it.

Colnago · 17 April 2009, 02:36 PM

I could do with knowing if there's a solution to this problem (apart from a new crystal of course, one of the benefits of a plexi - they get changed every service as part of the deal - not so with SS crystals)....my DD has a very very slight scratch, it actually only shows up in certain light but I know it's there....you all know how that feels.....

Watch Fan · 17 April 2009, 02:56 PM

Otto Frei carries a crystal polishing cream. I have never tryed it, but have read posts from others who seem to like it. You have nothing to lose, I'd check it out.

gregdolley · 17 April 2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watch Fan

Otto Frei carries a crystal polishing cream. I have never tryed it, but have read posts from others who seem to like it. You have nothing to lose, I'd check it out.

Nothing to lose?

Besides ruining the finish and making it much worse...

gregdolley · 17 April 2009, 03:14 PM

For the OP - what do you mean by mineral crystal? Is it sapphire, glass, or acrylic?

Either way, it CAN be buffed - they all can. How do you think they originally buff them at the factory? They don't magically show up all shiny and scratch free after being cut out from a big slab of synthetic corundum (saphhire).

The question is - which jeweler has the right equipment for buffing sapphire or glass? Most of them don't have this kind of equipment - so you're better of just getting a new crystal.

Colnago · 17 April 2009, 03:22 PM

Not sure on the cost there but I know it is significant enough for them to not include it in the service......I did enquire how much a new crystal would add to the bill when I last put my DD in for service, I can't remember the quoted figure but it was high enough to make putting up with the very minor scratch on mine bearable....like I said I can only see it in certain light and it so infrequently happens I almost forget it's there.....almost....

SUB4Me · 17 April 2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colnago

Not sure on the cost there but I know it is significant enough for them to not include it in the service......I did enquire how much a new crystal would add to the bill when I last put my DD in for service, I can't remember the quoted figure but it was high enough to make putting up with the very minor scratch on mine bearable....like I said I can only see it in certain light and it so infrequently happens I almost forget it's there.....almost....

Looks like I will have to live with it then.

SLS · 17 April 2009, 08:03 PM

A new crystal will cost you around $150.
~Scott

Colnago · 17 April 2009, 08:11 PM

Hey Scott....that doesn't sound so bad......wonder if I was quoted wrong or if it's just cheaper in the USA?.....maybe the model of case makes a big difference....mine was for a 1984 DD....are you quoting for something different or do you think that's any model?

padi56 · 17 April 2009, 08:53 PM

Well truth be told now with modern abrasives yes you can remove scratches from sapphire and mineral 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 £20 but will last for ages,and I expect far cheaper out of the UK.And a lot cheaper than a new crystal takes a bit of time,but if scratch is very deep then it should replace.

SLS · 17 April 2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colnago

Hey Scott....that doesn't sound so bad......wonder if I was quoted wrong or if it's just cheaper in the USA?.....maybe the model of case makes a big difference....mine was for a 1984 DD....are you quoting for something different or do you think that's any model?

It really should not be that different based on the model, what were you quoted? Was a service included in your initial quote?
~Scott

Colnago · 17 April 2009, 09:05 PM

Scott....I was quoted and it was tacked onto a service price, however I declined the new crystal, I cannot for the life of me remember what the quote was so I can't really compare with what you said....all I see to remember thinking at the time is "wow that's a lot more money to get rid of a scratch I only notice once every three months or so"......essentially I took my DD in for service for one single reason, the threads were seriously going on the crown, it popped out after around quarter of a turn, not good, I just started to panic that it would pop out whilst in the shower (oo er matron!) or worse still whilst swimming.....it was an after thought really getting the crystal replaced......think I might try some of this diamond paste stuff mentioned above....if I do I will post results

17 April 2009, 01:14 PM	#1
SUB4Me Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Posts: 99	Can A Mineral Crystal be Buffed? I have a small scratch not sure how it happened.

17 April 2009, 01:46 PM	#2
SLS "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Scott Location: GMT -7 Watch: GMT's & Sub's Posts: 10,401	In most cases, no, you will have to buy a new crystal. There have been posts about some kind of polishing compound, but in my experience, you are out of luck. ~Scott __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922

17 April 2009, 01:47 PM	#3
Bisquitlips 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Richard Location: USA Watch: YM Deep Space Posts: 12,521	Probably the diamond from your wife's wedding ring. That is one theory as to how this happens. No, I don't believe they can be buffed. But others may know more than I do about it. __________________ Rolex Yacht-Master 40mm (SS-YG / Deep Space MOP) 16623 Breitling Aerospace Titanium / 18K with UTC. Omega Speedmaster 3510.50 Oris TT1 Pro Diver Regulator 43MM

17 April 2009, 02:36 PM	#4
Colnago "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Bill Hart Location: Richmond, NY, UK Watch: Rlx=3, Tdr=3, Om=3 Posts: 3,053	I could do with knowing if there's a solution to this problem (apart from a new crystal of course, one of the benefits of a plexi - they get changed every service as part of the deal - not so with SS crystals)....my DD has a very very slight scratch, it actually only shows up in certain light but I know it's there....you all know how that feels..... __________________ Bill "There's only three kinds of people in this world....those that can count....and those that can't" TRF's "JJ's" Bar & NightClub Patron

17 April 2009, 03:22 PM	#8
Colnago "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Bill Hart Location: Richmond, NY, UK Watch: Rlx=3, Tdr=3, Om=3 Posts: 3,053	Not sure on the cost there but I know it is significant enough for them to not include it in the service......I did enquire how much a new crystal would add to the bill when I last put my DD in for service, I can't remember the quoted figure but it was high enough to make putting up with the very minor scratch on mine bearable....like I said I can only see it in certain light and it so infrequently happens I almost forget it's there.....almost.... __________________ Bill "There's only three kinds of people in this world....those that can count....and those that can't" TRF's "JJ's" Bar & NightClub Patron

17 April 2009, 02:56 PM	#5
Watch Fan "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Watch: Sea Dweller Posts: 676	Otto Frei carries a crystal polishing cream. I have never tryed it, but have read posts from others who seem to like it. You have nothing to lose, I'd check it out.

17 April 2009, 03:14 PM	#7
gregdolley Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Greg Dolley Location: Los Angeles Watch: Rose Gold Daytona Posts: 1,283	For the OP - what do you mean by mineral crystal? Is it sapphire, glass, or acrylic? Either way, it CAN be buffed - they all can. How do you think they originally buff them at the factory? They don't magically show up all shiny and scratch free after being cut out from a big slab of synthetic corundum (saphhire). The question is - which jeweler has the right equipment for buffing sapphire or glass? Most of them don't have this kind of equipment - so you're better of just getting a new crystal.

17 April 2009, 08:03 PM	#10
SLS "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Scott Location: GMT -7 Watch: GMT's & Sub's Posts: 10,401	A new crystal will cost you around $150. ~Scott __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922

17 April 2009, 08:11 PM	#11
Colnago "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Bill Hart Location: Richmond, NY, UK Watch: Rlx=3, Tdr=3, Om=3 Posts: 3,053	Hey Scott....that doesn't sound so bad......wonder if I was quoted wrong or if it's just cheaper in the USA?.....maybe the model of case makes a big difference....mine was for a 1984 DD....are you quoting for something different or do you think that's any model? __________________ Bill "There's only three kinds of people in this world....those that can count....and those that can't" TRF's "JJ's" Bar & NightClub Patron

17 April 2009, 08:53 PM	#12
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,063	Well truth be told now with modern abrasives yes you can remove scratches from sapphire and mineral 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 £20 but will last for ages,and I expect far cheaper out of the UK.And a lot cheaper than a new crystal takes a bit of time,but if scratch is very deep then it should replace. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

17 April 2009, 09:05 PM	#14
Colnago "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Bill Hart Location: Richmond, NY, UK Watch: Rlx=3, Tdr=3, Om=3 Posts: 3,053	Scott....I was quoted and it was tacked onto a service price, however I declined the new crystal, I cannot for the life of me remember what the quote was so I can't really compare with what you said....all I see to remember thinking at the time is "wow that's a lot more money to get rid of a scratch I only notice once every three months or so"......essentially I took my DD in for service for one single reason, the threads were seriously going on the crown, it popped out after around quarter of a turn, not good, I just started to panic that it would pop out whilst in the shower (oo er matron!) or worse still whilst swimming.....it was an after thought really getting the crystal replaced......think I might try some of this diamond paste stuff mentioned above....if I do I will post results __________________ Bill "There's only three kinds of people in this world....those that can count....and those that can't" TRF's "JJ's" Bar & NightClub Patron

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