Thread: What types of watches do you like?

Thanks for the info phrank. Amazing values... Don’t think I will ever be able to justify a watch in that stratosphere personally and none to be passed down by the looks of my lineage, hehe..

Regarding the zodiac tc, do you happen to recall the crystal size? I would love to change that out as it would give it a new look.
All mine says is Professional 200 meters, on the face. P.n. 206.26.04 On the back.
Probably the only Swiss watch I shall ever own. But as mentioned, keeps impeccable time..

In general xtls are common items and unless they are bespoke like the zodiac I have they can be replaced easily. The jewelry Parts houses stock them though sometimes you need a minimum order. You can measure the diameter of the xtl and you just have to figure out if you have acrylic, mineral glass or sapphire. In those days sapphire was very uncommon so it's a matter of the thickness and if the watch can take a thicker xtl if you wanted to go from say acrylic to mineral glass or even gorilla glass. Some xtls are just glued in and some are pressed in and use pressure fittings.

Of course a competent watch repairer can best do it. You could do it yourself if you are really handy, have a steady hand and have the right tools and materials.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Thanks for the info phrank. Amazing values... Don’t think I will ever be able to justify a watch in that stratosphere personally and none to be passed down by the looks of my lineage, hehe..

Regarding the zodiac tc, do you happen to recall the crystal size? I would love to change that out as it would give it a new look.
All mine says is Professional 200 meters, on the face. P.n. 206.26.04 On the back.
Probably the only Swiss watch I shall ever own. But as mentioned, keeps impeccable time..

What BigS said, I'd even check eBay, they've usually got tons of parts available....should be no problem finding an original xstal, or one that will work.

Have you tried some Polywatch on the crystal? You can order a kit cheap off Amazon, I've seen some amazing results with Polywatch restoring original xstals, worth a go IMO before you start a hunt for a replacement.

I've seen a completely scratched and clouded acrylic xstal restored to excellent clarity with Polywatch and some patience.

In the picture some of the scratches looked kind of deep. Polywatch won't help there and of course if it's mineral glass polywatch is useless.

They are quite deep.
This never left left my wrist as an aircraft engineer.
Beaten scored scratched but always worked.
Decided it’s worth getting a quote on a new crystal.
Got another older one going again I forgot I had. This was my dads as well.

Used some micro mesh bits and elbow grease to clean up the Zodiac quite a bit actually.

Deepest Scratches aren’t gone, but from the viewing angle they no longer distort my view.
Guess the micromesh rounded the edges of the damage enough to some degree, and if I had limitless time and finger strength I could theoretically remove all the scratches,, but screw that.

Ordered a new bi colour band for it now since it cleaned up well enough to go back into the work rotation..
Cheers.

Very nice Mike, and a great example of a Zodiac "Red Dot" Automatic Professional Divers Watch, superb vintage reference, and it'll keep on ticking for as long as it's looked after.

Great save, and a superb tool watch.

A few years ago someone over at timezone described how he polished a mineral glass xtl to like new condition. I don't remember the details however it was quite a job with a whole series of different grits used. You could probably research it over there.