Tom Huber
02-28-2005, 01:18 PM
Suzie, The ease or difficulty at replacing the crystal will be a factor of the age of the watch. Let me explain. Up until around 1962, Westclox made their watchs for the bezel (that is the ring that holds the crystal) to snap off the front. With this type of set up, a new plastic crystal can be easily inserted at any watch repair facility. On the other hand, after 1962, they redesigned their watch movements to have the watch with a bezel as part of the case body. On these, the crystal is inserted through the back of the watch, and it is a special non-standard crystal. To insert a new crystal, requires some expertise to remove the watch movement from the case, remove the old crystal, and install a new one. Then one must know how to reinstall the movement into the case.
Look closely at your watch. Is the bezel designed to snap off? If so, you will see a small space where a knife blade can be inserted to remove it. If it is the one piece case, there will not be a space there.
After the mid 1960s, the Westclox redesign made it almost impossible to do repairs on them. Instead of screws, they used rivots, instead of shims, they used glue. If this is a newer Westclox, you may not be able to repair it.
Good luck,
Tom
Look closely at your watch. Is the bezel designed to snap off? If so, you will see a small space where a knife blade can be inserted to remove it. If it is the one piece case, there will not be a space there.
After the mid 1960s, the Westclox redesign made it almost impossible to do repairs on them. Instead of screws, they used rivots, instead of shims, they used glue. If this is a newer Westclox, you may not be able to repair it.
Good luck,
Tom