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Univeral Geneve Crystal Adhesion

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 8:48 pm
by sistem_32
As you may have seen, I posted a while back on the "What have you got in the mail" thread that I had purchased a vintage Univeral Geneve. Well, unfortunately I've discovered a problem. The adhesive holding in the crystal has entirely failed, allowing the crystal to simply fall out of the case. I have some horological chops, so I don't doubt that it's an issue I can fix myself. However, I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't know the first thing about adhesives. I was hoping you might be able to help me--I need an adhesive to bond the acrylic crystal to the gold-plated case without harming either one. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I also asked over on the "other place," so we'll see what comes of it.

Here's a picture, if it's any help at all:
Front.jpg

Re: Univeral Geneve Crystal Adhesion

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:11 pm
by TheJohnP
Did you ask in the watch makers thread?
The group there are very responsive and knowledgeable

Re: Univeral Geneve Crystal Adhesion

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:49 pm
by sistem_32
TheJohnP wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:11 pm Did you ask in the watch makers thread?
The group there are very responsive and knowledgeable
Yes I did; perusing some of the other threads there I was impressed by those very qualities.

Re: Univeral Geneve Crystal Adhesion

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 1:45 am
by watchpalooza
Esslinger has a few different epoxies. Here it what I use:

https://www.esslinger.com/gs-crystal-hy ... stal-glue/

Re: Univeral Geneve Crystal Adhesion

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:57 am
by atdegs
http://www.ofrei.com/page382.html

I think most serious watchmakers use the UV activated stuff, but there are other options. Just make sure you get something designed for acrylic, or it could cloud it up.

Re: Univeral Geneve Crystal Adhesion

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:21 am
by MoT
FTE wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 1:45 am Esslinger has a few different epoxies. Here it what I use:

https://www.esslinger.com/gs-crystal-hy ... stal-glue/

This is what I've used in the past as well, and I've been very happy with it.

Re: Univeral Geneve Crystal Adhesion

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:06 pm
by sistem_32
Thanks a lot for the input! I'll order a tube of the stuff and post an update after my attempt.

Re: Univeral Geneve Crystal Adhesion

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:58 pm
by watchpalooza
sistem_32 wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:06 pm Thanks a lot for the input! I'll order a tube of the stuff and post an update after my attempt.
Some advice, go thin / light on the application and remove any excess before you put the crystal in place.

Re: Univeral Geneve Crystal Adhesion

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:58 pm
by watchpalooza
sistem_32 wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:06 pm Thanks a lot for the input! I'll order a tube of the stuff and post an update after my attempt.
Some advice, go thin / light on the application and remove any excess before you put the crystal in place.

Re: Univeral Geneve Crystal Adhesion

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 3:54 pm
by sistem_32
I promised an update and here it is. Things haven't worked out quite how I expected. Last weekend I finally got around to taking the back off the watch and I quickly found that, because the movement spacer ring appears to be permanently attached, the only way to remove the movement is through the front of the watch. Obviously, then, permanently attaching the crystal is the last thing I want to do. Interestingly, I could have avoided the entire adhesive wild goose chase if I had listened to the advice of "Vicc" of Watch Central, who replied to my post over on Watchuseek. He suggested I use a crystal press, like this one, to replace the crystal with one of a larger diameter. He decided mine looks like a Sternkreuz M. I've decided to try using this inexpensive crystal lift, despite his warning that a lift won't work on a crystal without a "wall," whatever that means. I received the lift and some calipers to measure the aperature of the watch today, so now I just have to order the appropriately sized crystal and see if the lift works. Stay tuned for part three.

Re: Univeral Geneve Crystal Adhesion

Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2019 6:18 pm
by sistem_32
Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that the Sternkreuz M I ordered is far too domed for my purposes. The good news is that it is therefore sacrificial and can be subjected to any sort of otherwise inhumane experiment for the greater good (feel free to put in requests). First, I tried squeezing it as hard as possible in the crystal lift, which resulted in some chipping and deformation where the claws gripped it but didn't seem to cause any structural damage. It would still fit in a watch fine. It seemed to be compressed by about 0.5mm. Then I tried squeezing it in the press. Rather surprisingly, it simply flattened out. I'm not sure what it would do if it were in a watch case though, as it wouldn't be able to expand its circumference like it was when I tested it. With this newfound knowledge I shall order a slightly smaller Sternkreuz N and try again next week. Stay tuned for the next installment in the hit drama "Defying the Impossible: Taking Two Months to Change a Crystal."