Crystal press questions with clone of Bergeon 5500

[Bill2024]

I'm looking for some guidance on using this lever crystal press which is a copy of the Bergeon 5500 i think. It comes with no instructions and I haven't found anything when searching around either. The eBay one I got was about £40 and the Bergeon one is more like £700 so I'm not expecting the same performance but I'm not sure if the one I have is OK or not.

For example when using the long bottom post and with two dies fitted, the jaws do not come together when the lever is fully depressed. I know it would never need to in practice but it just seems a bit hit and miss depending on the thickness of the watch you're trying to work on. I just wondered if I'm missing something here? Also there is a shorter post which can be fitted into the bottom hole and I can't imaging how that would be of any use.

Honestly the thing feels pretty sturdy, and I have managed to use it push on a crystal and a caseback, but it almost felt like it was "bottoming out" when pushing in the crystal. I think it most likely that I'm missing something here but grateful for any advice.

Also, can anybody tell me what the weird shaped die is please, photo attached.

Sorry to be asking so many questions on the forum but I am just on a bit of a journey at the moment getting my initial work area setup organised.

Thanks, Bill

Edited February 14 by Bill2024

[AndyGSi]

I can't see anything wrong with it and don't think you'll ever come across a watch that's so thin it won't work.

If you did ever come across something that thin then you'd just use a washer top/bottom to reduce the gap.

The strange shape die is just a universal base if you had a case where the lugs hung low.

[Bill2024]

12 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

I can't see anything wrong with it and don't think you'll ever come across a watch that's so thin it won't work.

If you did ever come across something that thin then you'd just use a washer top/bottom to reduce the gap.

The strange shape die is just a universal base if you had a case where the lugs hung low.

Interesting, I appreciate your input, thanks Andy.

I guess I was just thinking that the jaws should close completely so you could at least check that top and bottom dies were lining up. 

I think it will need a washer or two under the bottom pin though. I tried putting the crystal back into this watch and the press was bottoming out with the crystal only just starting to fit into the case.

Perhaps I was using the wrong die. I’m not totally sure how to pic the size; from what I’ve seen the edge of the die needs to be on the sloping side of the crystal. Does that sound right?

I also wonder if the top of the crystal was touching the centre of the die. 

[AndyGSi]

Are you talking about a crystal or a domed acrylic?

Yes you need to use the largest size possible in relation to the lens.

How was the case supported on the bottom die, can you post a photo.

[Bill2024]

2 hours ago, AndyGSi said:

Are you talking about a crystal or a domed acrylic?

Yes you need to use the largest size possible in relation to the lens.

How was the case supported on the bottom die, can you post a photo.

I have attached photos of what I was doing - although I should say that I just tried it again and it worked. 

The watch is an old Rotary one I bought to practice on. Took the crystal off with a crystal lift and using the press to put it back on as a test. 

As the movement is in the case I used one of the flat dies for the base and the 35mm die on the top. The crystal measures 30.9 - is the a direct link between the crystal size and die size?

I think I may have used too big of a die in the top last time (still trying to get a feel for how to size the die to the crystal).

I could put have put this crystal back with the lift of course but I understand that for the tension ring crystals it’s best to use a press to insert them. 

[AndyGSi]

For me if it comes out with a crystal lift it goes back the same way.

If you're using the press the die should be slightly larger than the O/D so would have expected you'd be using the 32mm.

If the case back is fitted I'd use a domed die so it sits inside and is central.

Not sure what you mean about tension ring as yours doesn't appear to have one?

[Bill2024]

2 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

Not sure what you mean about tension ring as yours doesn't appear to have one?

Yes you’re right of course - I have a couple of Tissot Seastars though, which do have tension ring crystals,  that I was thinking of using this press for. 

 

8 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

If you're using the press the die should be slightly larger than the O/D so would have expected you'd be using the 32mm.

Thanks, I’ll try the 32mm.

I’ll keep experimenting while I try to get a feel for how it all works