Orient Monarch Mechanical Watch Discussions | Drop

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Showing 1 of 25 conversations about:

Orient Monarch Mechanical Watch

FULL DISCUSSION

kingping

107

Mar 8, 2017

I really like the look of this model, and Orient is a well respected "mid-tier" maker IMO. Question: with a slightly domed mineral crystal it would take a surprisingly short period of wear to scratch up the crystal (cafe owner--very hard on my watches!) How expensive and end-user possible would it be to later replace the existing crystal w/ a sapphire replacement? I know there is a robust mod community around Seiko watches, which leads to a larger pool of available parts-- where does this Orient fall in this equation? (I have basic tools, and have successfully done some very minor repairs but never a crystal replacement...)

Mar 8, 2017

Vote

condor9

Mar 8, 2017

kingpingThere are online places that will do it for about $60-100, depending on the thickness, quality or anti-reflective layering you want the glass to have. OR you can spend about $2-3 on a crystal film protector which really does the job. it's noticeable only if you really go looking for it (or because you know it's there). I've been getting them from a sell named changster0_1 on the "bay". Have it on a dive watch, have swam in the ocean, pools, and it's still intact after two years. I also have one on a sapphire glass diver and on one on my most scratch-prone watches, see pic.

Mar 8, 2017

lobster

687

Mar 8, 2017

kingpingI think it would be a lot of work and money to replace the crystal, and if you want to do it yourself, you will need to buy watch tools to help press the crystal out, press the sapphire back in, and you might need new gaskets for the crystal if it is not exactly the same size as the one you are replacing. You need some tools to open the case and remove the movement, and all this might end up being more than the cost of the watch. if you are into watches as a hobby, then it is a fun project just like regulating your mechanical movement or changing the hands or dial. But if you just want a sapphire crystal I feel like you are better off just spending the money up front for a model that comes with it.
If you just like this particular model's look, then I would just stick with the mineral crystal with no intention of replacing it. I have a bambino orient with domed mineral crystal and I treated it rough for 6 month--I put it on a nato strap and wore it 24/7 in the swimming pool every week, in the shower everyday, and I bumped it against lots of things. I was primarily trying to test how water resistant it was since it is only rated to splash resistant. No leaks despite all that water and sitting in hot tubs too. The crystal got scratched, but the scratches were faint--it seems like the mineral crystal orient uses is hardened like seiko does for theirs.

Mar 8, 2017