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Sapphire transplant?

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Apparently, my requirements are too fiddly, as I am having a bit of a time finding My Next Watch. My Seiko World Timer (5T52-6B20) has all the functions I like (alarm, timer), but its prolly 25 yrs old, and the 'world time' dial no longer functions.
For this iteration, I was hoping to get something with a blue face, and I've landed on the Seiko SNK603. No alarm or timer, but I like the look, especially the size.

But the crystal.
Im sure the 'hardened mineral' is fine, but my current Seiko has sapphire (doesn't it?), an has withstood more than one can reasonably ask of such a timepiece.

Could i have the crystal replaced in a new SNK603? Any ball-park figures for what that would cost?

Kind Regards,
Drew
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BF_Hammer
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Jun 26, 2018
The basic answer is that a competent watch repair shop should be able to remove the old crystal, carefully measure it, and source a replacement in sapphire. That is the key, you have to have the correct measurement in diameter and thickness, much easier if you have the old crystal in hand to measure.
The cost of this for parts and labor could easily make your investment into a Seiko 5 like that nearly double. So my feeling on this is why would you be in such a hurry to replace a part that is not damaged? The watch will come with a perfectly nice crystal. It is true that a typical mineral crystal does not shatter into shards as easily as sapphire can. That is the basic nature of one material that is harder than another. Why not just use it until that scratch you are certain you cannot avoid does happen and upgrade then?
As for prices, I have a link saved for this place I used once. They are giving prices for a sapphire installation around $60-$80. While I did use them once (a slightly odd domed mineral crystal on a Vostok), the experience was not fully smooth. Had to send it back after a couple of days when the crystal fell out. But they took care of it and it has stayed in place since. http://www.crystalfit.com/installed.html
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