Omega Constellations of the 1950s and 60s generally featured crystals made from Hesalite, a proprietary brand of fine acrylic crystal. Hesalite is still used in preference to mineral crystal on some watches today. While saphire crystals are less likely to scratch, they shatter into tiny fragments and this can be hazardous in some environments.
Hesalite is much more prone to scratching and over the years collectors and watchmakers have come up with a bevy of home and professional remedies to buff out the scratches. Below is a sample of some of the more common techniques.
- A Fact Sheet that explains the different materials crystal are made from.
- CWR Horological pages. Good resource that includes advice about polishing crystals
- A CR4 thread, covering some interesting ways of cleaning and refurbishing
- A site offering an anti scratch cold dip formula that is claimed to create a hard optical surface that resists scratching
- An offroad thread that advocates using car polish to buff out scratches
- A Watch Report thread advocating toothpaste
- A branded polishing kit available on line
If you have perfected, or know of, a successful technique not mentioned here, let me know and I'll add it to the list.
I just received my tube of "Displex" from eBay and used it to polish the Hesalite Crystal on my mid 60's Seamaster De Ville. This is the original crystal on this watch and it suffered from forty some years of small scratches plus one big one. About five minutes of rubbing with the Displex took out all the small scratches! It looks new again and when I get some feeling back in my numb fingers I will gige the one remaining scratch another try.
ReplyDeleteExcellent!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for sharing.
Good luck with the fingers :)
Cheers
Desmond
Watch out for toothpaste, I have a feeling it might make a plastic crystal more scratched.
ReplyDeleteI received this information from a collector in India. Could be a useful alternative Cheers
ReplyDeleteDesmond
Sir,
I m using the GLANOL Car Polish with Carnauba Wax - 150 ml, for polishing my speedy's hesalite crystal, after applying for around 5-6 times a permanent layer of carnauba wax has formed over the crystal, preventing any kind of scratches further, and the depth of shine is equivalent to a soap bubble, thereby enhancing the sheen of the crystal that is to be seen to be believed.......
as the Hesalite has a transperancy of 99%, the crystal just grows on u .....
the polish can be ordered from the link given below :
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/cart/search.php?mode=search&page=1
the product is a German one, but they don't ship anywhere out side Europe, the official website is :
http://www.glanoldirekt.de/Glanol-Classic/Glanol-Car-Polish-with-Carnauba-Wax-150ml::4.html
Hello my name is Peter. I have watch Omega Constellations, it is on one stone, 18 carat gold, with Rubin in the knob. I have a huge request, if you would be so kind and helped me to estimate what the year comes. because in Poland no one is able to help me.
ReplyDeletegreetings Piotr
Hi Piotr
DeleteClick on the 'View Profile" icon on the left column and you'll see an email icon. Im happy to look at some pictures.
Cheers
Desmond
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ReplyDeleteHi Desmond, Long time no speak, and a Happy New Year! I recently had my connie 561 serviced by actually someone you recommend on here. This is the second time I've paid for his services, and each time he's given me not only song a verse, but a concerto about not being able to get genuine parts and that Omega have taken him off their list of repairers. To try and cut a long story short, the service cost £360 (which I though was slightly over) and when I picked up the watch he mentioned that he ahd replaced the glass with a "bullet proof" one, because the origibnal had lost it's shape (or words to that affect). He gave me the strong impression that he would look for another 'Omega' glass to which I could come and pick up at a later date. This was nearly 6 months ago, and when I broached the subject over a few emails to his wife, he eventually replied and said that "The cost price ex vat is £82.00 which may be more than I originally quoted but everything is increasing in price with no prior warning. i understand if it is more than you would want to pay, in which case I am happy to keep it in my stock."
ReplyDeleteThere was no original quote, and I said, he shrugged off the idea of having to pay for one...
I've emailed him back to know avail, and was wondering whether it's 1, worth following up and 2, if it matters whather the watch has an Omega glass or not?
Thanks,
Jimmy
Hi Jimmy, there isn't a problem using a generic crystal and only the fussiest of collectors would insist on one, and so I would save myself the money in swapping the crystal.
DeleteYes, a real problem has emerged because Omega has repatriated most parts back to Bienne and has muscled out many independent watchmakers. There are still some who have a parts account, and it's worth the trouble to perhaps source one for your next service.
It seems you have not had a good experience with the repairer. Let's know who via email and I will consider removing him from my recommendation list.
Thanks for the reply Desmond. That’s good to know and I’ll email you!
Delete