Seiko M159-5059 - Changing crystal

[retrowrist]

Hello everyone,

I have not posted here in quite some time, but I need to know how to change the crystal from a Seiko M159-5059. The old crystal is scratched, and the new crystal is a NOS.

My question is: Does anyone know the process of popping out the old crystal, and snapping in the new one? Is this process very technical? Do I need any special tools? Please help if you can. Thank you very much.

- Patrick D.

[Old Tom]

Hi,
First of all go and download the M159 technical manual from here;-

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f365/seiko ... 99038.html

This details the exact procedure for replacing the crystal in this watch- the only problem is the plastic support gasket which, if you didn't get a new one with your crystal, has to be salvaged to refit the crystal and it is all too easy to ruin when extracting the old crystal.

[Seiko Kid]

Sometimes it can be better if you cut your own "inserting disk" to be the same shape as the visible portion of the glass seen from the inside of the case
This way your surface area is bigger and you get a better "push" also it can help not crack the glass when you remove it.

I made my own out of a rectangular piece of wood around 1" /1"

You can also cut down the plastic dias that come with the watch presses. A bread knife if good to cut plastic

This way you can customise your dias to suit the different shaped watch cases

Just set up the press as shown with your dia in place and have a plain flat dia in the press and the concaved one underneath

I find the screw down clamps are more precise and controllable over the lever style presses.

When re fitting, as Tom pointed out unless you have a new gasket then just re use the old one. Fit it first along with the printed fascia panel the same way it came out and position the glass accurately over it

You can sometimes initiate the install of the new glass with a dia in you hand or using your fingers to get it set and level then continue as instructed.

You really only have 1 shot at re fitting the glass before the gasket looses its shape