Can I use a crystal lift to open this watch

[Bill2024]

I have a Tissot Seastar Seven which I believe is a front loader and I’ll need to get the crystal removed to get at the movement.

On the back of the watch it says to “Use key 257 T” which I understand is a reference to a special tool for removing Tissot crystals. Do you think I could use the Bergeon style crystal lift to remove and replace the crystal?

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/round-shaped-glasses-bergeon-6400
 

Thanks, Bill. 

[mbwatch]

See also this post, where a 3D printed crystal tool was used. You probably have a tension ring crystal here, which would be difficult to remove with a crystal lift and escape damage.

 

Other non-Tissot sorts of tools like the 3D printed one in that post do appear around ebay. They grip more evenly than the brass claws of a crystal lift. I imagine any of them would work.

[JohnR725]

19 minutes ago, mbwatch said:

difficult to remove with a crystal lift and escape damage.

I've seen the Omega version of these. They still operate on the principle like the crystal lift of compressing around the edge. But instead of having a whole bunch of smaller jaws they have much bigger less of them nice and smooth. So in other words they put a lot of pressure and not damage the crystal. Plus like the Omega scepters a whole bunch of them there's about at least 10 of them succumb in a whole bunch of different sizes. Which means without that tool it's probably the crystal lift just be extremely careful and may be might want to get a replacement crystal. But he can't get a replacement crystal until you get the watch out of the case to get the case number.

[Malocchio]

Many crystal "wrenches" exist. I have one that Seiko made, model S-14. Picture stolen from the internet:

[Bill2024]

There seems to be the odd set of the Tissot crystal tool on eBay but often with pieces missing or looking pretty beat-up. I also saw some of the Seiko s-14 tools but they were pretty pricey and probably not worth me buying for this one watch that I didn’t pay much for. 

I’m wondering about trying the crystal lift anyway as I am getting one of these anyway. Hopefully I won’t break it but if I do I’m imagining I’d have the same problems trying to put an armoured crystal back into the case as well Using a crystal lift.

Would it be possible to use a non-armoured crystal as a temporary solution until I get the correct tools? I don’t know how old the watch is but I wouldn’t trust it to be “waterproof” in any way even with the correct crystal. 

[Gula67]

if is a monoblock case (no removable caseback) then the stem most likely split stem. If you pull out the crown and the half stem,then you can use compressed air through the tubeto pop out the crystal.

Edited January 30 by Gula67
add info

[Malocchio]

You can remove the old crystal with a crystal lift and that will quite possibly break it or at least deform the tension ring. You can insert a tension ring crystal with a crystal press.

[tIB]

2 hours ago, Malocchio said:

You can remove the old crystal with a crystal lift and that will quite possibly break it or at least deform the tension ring. You can insert a tension ring crystal with a crystal press.

I've used compressed air from a syringe with a similar setup, though that watch had a split stem. 

[oldhippy]

I had the set of Tissot Seastar 7 and I couldn't get on with them. So I used my  Bergeon tool lift and it does the job, just be careful not to squeeze to tight if you do the tool will cut off the glass and leave the tension ring and thin line of glass in the case.   

[Bill2024]

35 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

I had the set of Tissot Seastar 7 and I couldn't get on with them. So I used my  Bergeon tool lift and it does the job, just be careful not to squeeze to tight if you do the tool will cut off the glass and leave the tension ring and thin line of glass in the case.   

Thanks very much I think that’s what I will have to try. Can I ask what you use to replace the armoured crystals? Does it need to be a crystal press of some kind - maybe one of the Bergeon clones?

Edited January 30 by Bill2024

[Malocchio]

https://blog.esslinger.com/how-to-press-a-tension-ring-fit-watch-crystal-into-place-with-a-watch-crystal-press/

You need a crystal press and dies with angled wall so that the die compresses the crystal while pushing down.

[AndyGSi]

I've only ever used a crystal lift to remove and insert tension ring lenses on Seikos.

[oldhippy]

I had the Robur and I had one like this which I preferred.

I think mine was made by favourite.

 

[Bill2024]

2 hours ago, AndyGSi said:

I've only ever used a crystal lift to remove and insert tension ring lenses on Seikos.

That’s interesting Andy. It gives me Hope!

1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

I had the Robur and I had one like this which I preferred.

I think mine was made by favourite.

 

I have seen sets like this on eBay, Ali etc. but wasn’t sure if they were the right thing.

The problem with being a newbie at all this is not having the knowledge and confidence when it comes to choosing the right tools for a job you’ve never tried before; so it is great to hear other people’s experiences - thank you.

I think I’ll get one of these and a crystal lift and go for it - and if the worst comes to the worst hopefully I can get a replacement crystal easily enough!

[oldhippy]

Just be careful some of those really cheap crystal lifts are rubbish. When it comes to tools buy the best you can afford, cheap tools will not last while the best will last you a lifetime. When you pick a tool there is no harm in asking us. 

Edited January 30 by oldhippy

[tomh207]

I’ve recently refurbished a spare bergeon vigor 4266 crystal lift. Buy cheap, most are expensive on eBay. For a non refurbished but complete I would definitely be looking at paying no more than £30.

 

 

[Curare]

I just watched this video, may answer all your questions

 

[Bill2024]

23 hours ago, Curare said:

I just watched this video, may answer all your questions

 

Thanks - I’ll definitely be referring back to this once I have the case open . I had seen this and he uses the specialised Tissot lift to remove the crystal

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, Bill2024 said:

Thanks - I’ll definitely be referring back to this once I have the case open . I had seen this and he uses the specialised Tissot lift to remove the crystal

Those lifts are quite inexpensive, I paid just £30 inc shipping for mine, another came up a week later and sold for £15 inc. Shipping. Just set yourself up an ebay search for them. 

[Paul80]

Here is another one showing the special tool needed

https://youtu.be/aj6pdpANDVU?si=96N28H-exNgFxpPY

 

Edited January 31 by Paul80

[Neverenoughwatches]

On 1/31/2025 at 9:57 PM, Paul80 said:

Here is another one showing the special tool needed

https://youtu.be/aj6pdpANDVU?si=96N28H-exNgFxpPY

 

Bit strange that he called it a special key....the T315 lifting tool. I feel some fibbing going on there as it was just a regular claw tool inc. the spacing plate, he even attached a sticker to the claw tool that said key T315 very wierd. I have the T315 and it looks nothing like a claw lift ???.

The seller assured him it was the key 315T   

do you have something in your eye Paul ?

[Bill2024]

1 hour ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

The seller assured him it was the key 315T

It’s a jungle out there.

[Neverenoughwatches]

Just now, Bill2024 said:

It’s a jungle out there.

Aye it certainly is Bill, some naughty monkeys and plenty of cheaters. 

[Paul80]

On 2/3/2025 at 11:40 AM, Neverenoughwatches said:

Bit strange that he called it a special key....the T315 lifting tool. I feel some fibbing going on there as it was just a regular claw tool inc. the spacing plate, he even attached a sticker to the claw tool that said key T315 very wierd. I have the T315 and it looks nothing like a claw lift ???.

The seller assured him it was the key 315T   

do you have something in your eye Paul ?

It's was all just a bit tongue in cheek

Obviously he was just using a standard crystal lift to perform the same function as the special tool.  Clearly showing the "Special" is not realy needed.

Things sometimes just fly over some people's heads don't they

[Neverenoughwatches]

18 hours ago, Paul80 said:

It's was all just a bit tongue in cheek

Obviously he was just using a standard crystal lift to perform the same function as the special tool.  Clearly showing the "Special" is not realy needed.

Things sometimes just fly over some people's heads don't they

I really did not understand the guy's thinking, a lot of newbies would actually be looking for this " special 315T key "