Best tool to use to remove the crystal with metal rim?

[Orhorolgy]

As the title states....what is the best tool to use to remove the crystal with a metal rim around it without damaging or scratching the watch case or the crystals metal rim?

If the is a special tool that is used (or does one even exist?) could you post a picture of it?....recommend where to purchase it?...etc.

Any an all suggestions, opinions and or recommendations are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

[Plato]

7 minutes ago, Orhorolgy said:

As the title states....what is the best tool to use to remove the crystal with a metal rim around it without damaging or scratching the watch case or the crystals metal rim?

If the is a special tool that is used (or does one even exist?) could you post a picture of it?....recommend where to purchase it?...etc.

Any an all suggestions, opinions and or recommendations are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

This press:

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/press-robur?code=G0728

with this set:

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/die-set-robur?code=D0425

is probably the best, but expensive. They are cheaper second hand on ebay but not by much if two bidders are keen. 

[Orhorolgy]

Plato thanks for your post though I do not need that since I already have a press & die set.

I need the opposite of that.

Again, I would like to know "how to remove the crystal with a metal rim wrapped around it"  that was previously pressed into the watch from above (using the press & die method).

It looks just like this:

 

The watch movement is set into the case from above and in order to replace the dial's hands the top crystal needs to be removed to gain access. The movement is not designed to come out the back.

 

There is this tool that I just happen to find doing an online search.

https://blog.esslinger.com/how-to-remove-a-watch-crystal-with-crystal-lift/

 

...and then there is the following method below but I am real hesitant to even think about going that route?

https://blog.esslinger.com/how-to-remove-a-bezel-fit-watch-crystal-with-a-bench-knife/

Edited February 4, 2022 by Orhorolgy

[Plato]

11 minutes ago, Orhorolgy said:

Plato thanks for your post though I do not need that since I already have a press & die set.

I need the opposite of that.

Again, I would like to know "how to remove the crystal with a metal rim wrapped around it"  that was previously pressed into the watch from above (using the press & die method).

It looks just like this:

 

The watch movement is set into the case from above and in order to replace the dial's hands the top crystal needs to be removed to gain access. The movement is not designed to come out the back.

 

There is this tool that I just happen to find doing an online search.

https://blog.esslinger.com/how-to-remove-a-watch-crystal-with-crystal-lift/

 

...and then there is the following method below but I am real hesitant to even think about going that route?

https://blog.esslinger.com/how-to-remove-a-bezel-fit-watch-crystal-with-a-bench-knife/

Ok, I thought you wanted to remove an armoured crystal. To remove a bezel, just a regular case knife will do the job. Upload a photo of the watch just in case it's something unusual. 

[LittleWatchShop]

If you are paranoid...as I am often in these situations...use a safety razor to start the process of lifting the bezel.  Go around very carefully and "generally" a gap will form.  Then you a case knife.  It is scary...unless it is a junker.

[Nucejoe]

I use a safety razor as littlewatchshop explained above.

Uncase the movement before you start on the rim to reduce the risk of damage to the dial in case of mishap.

Good luck

[Orhorolgy]

Thank you "Littlewatchshop" & "Nucejoe" for your recommendations on the process and what to use.

Yes, I started the process off using a Single Edge Razor Blade (very carefully) which helped a bit but soon found out that I needed something with a better grip / handle on it and well used my fancy customized (has my initials on it) box cutter to follow up on the process.

That did it for me and was successful to remove it.

Live and learn.

I just wish that there had been an easier way to this process or at least a specific tool to use.

Here is a picture of the type of basic straight edge razor that I used to start the process followed up along with my customized box cutter to actually complete the process.

 

 

 

[Klassiker]

32 minutes ago, Orhorolgy said:

I just wish that there had been an easier way to this process or at least a specific tool to use.

There is always a specific tool!

https://www.esslinger.com/horotec-watch-bezel-remover-tool/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nucejoe]

31 minutes ago, Orhorolgy said:

I  just wish that there had been an easier way to this process or at least a specific tool to use.

 There are watch repair tools you just can't work without,  on which you should spend the  budget you have considered,  in a case like this alternative approach works, so we save. 

[Orhorolgy]

22 hours ago, Klassiker said:

There is always a specific tool!

https://www.esslinger.com/horotec-watch-bezel-remover-tool/

 

Thanks Klassiker for your post.

Yes that particular tool probably or just maybe would have or could have done the job. Though that tool is designed specifically to remove a watch Bezel.

I can see an individual who is a watch repair enthusiast, spending that kind of money $ specifically just for that tool.

As for myself, well yes I wouldn't mine having one but for the price money wise $ I just cannot justify spending that amount of money $ specifically for a tool like that since I am not a watch repair enthusiast...just an individual wanting to fix just one watch.

I needed to remove the watch crystal with a sort of slight downward curved bezel like rim attached to it (if you look closely at the picture I posted of it).

Maybe that tool would have done the job...maybe not.

Though the more I look at that specific tool the more I think that just maybe it would have done the job.

Too bad that specific tool is so expensive....it's reasons such as that, that I had to take an improvised approach to my specific situation.

Edited February 6, 2022 by Orhorolgy

[Klassiker]

@Orhorolgy

Apologies, I didn't mean to be flippant or condescending, but it wasm't a serious recommendation. In fact I don't have one of those tools either, as there are better ways to spend money if it is just a hobby. It's kind of a running joke on here, that you can never have enough tools.

The way you removed the bezel, beginning with a razorblade, as recommended by Littlewatchshop and Nucejoe, is a perfectly legitimate method, certainly not a bodge, and the way that most of us would proceed.

[Orhorolgy]

Klassiker......no apologies are necessary. Like all the previous post in this thread, I believe that your intentions in your suggestion are sincere, genuine and acceptable. So please, again, no apologies for just trying to help out. I really appreciate it.  

It's all good! 

Also, yes you are also correct about "one never having enough tools" (joke or not).

By the way after reading your first post about that specific tool I started to do a search for it or something similar to it and well I happened to find this?

https://www.vevor.com/products/watch-bezel-removal-opening-repair-tool-52mm-max-effortless-repair-machine?variant=31444090093666&utm_source=criteo&utm_medium=US

Edited February 7, 2022 by Orhorolgy

[Klassiker]

That looks like a well made and very serviceable tool.

[Orhorolgy]

Well all thanks to you sir! 

What really got my attention on it was the price. It seems very reasonable. I just don't know if it is a knock-off duplicate and is it really worth the price?

Now, for it's asking price, that is something that I wouldn't mind having or adding to my small tool collection. It would definitely come in handy to support my small watch collection (which is like 35-40 watches).

Edited February 7, 2022 by Orhorolgy

[Tony13]

That same tool is sold on a well known Chinese site for only half the price.

I always use a stanley knife in same way as the razorblade methode mentioned above.

 

Edited February 7, 2022 by Tony13
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[watchweasol]

Hi  When working on watches there are many things get your goat, removing backs and bezels and re fitting them as some are very hard to get back on. Pictured below as a few of the required tools. As always there are cheaper and ones that function well for the occasional user Case op1 will remove bezels and backs and can be had for around the £30 mark. A supplier of the chinese copies Is Ali Express an bit like the Chinese amazon. Hope you find this info useful         cheers