WW 1 Pocket watch

[maseman]

Hi,
Have recently inherited a pocket watch owned my Great Great Uncle who saw service in WW1 including Galipoli.
It's in working condition but has a plastic crystal which keeps popping out.

Question - Would plastic crystal be original ? and would a high street watchmaker be able to fix crystal ?


Cheers,

Iain

[Reeny]

Next time it pops out, measure the recess on the case with digital calipers, and order one from Cousins.
The BCL low dome pocket watch acrylics are about £4+vat
Sternkreuz are £3.50p
https://www.cousinsuk.com/catalog/wa...-watch-glasses

You need a tight fit, so go for one size bigger if the exact diameter you measured is not on the parts list.
Then add on some straps to make the £5 delivery more cost effective.

Or you can get a watch mender to fix it.
My guess is that the acrylic crystal has been replaced at some point to replace the original.
It should have a noticable yellow / light brown tinge to it at that age.

[maseman]

Thank you,
Yes has yellow / brownish tinge to it, so plastic was used back then ?
Caseback is military marked

Next time it pops out, measure the recess on the case with digital calipers, and order one from Cousins.
The BCL low dome pocket watch acrylics are about £4+vat
Sternkreuz are £3.50p
https://www.cousinsuk.com/catalog/wa...-watch-glasses

You need a tight fit, so go for one size bigger if the exact diameter you measured is not on the parts list.
Then add on some straps to make the £5 delivery more cost effective.

Or you can get a watch mender to fix it.
My guess is that the acrylic crystal has been replaced at some point to replace the original.
It should have a noticable yellow / light brown tinge to it at that age.

[Reeny]

I'm not sure of the date on this - but it has Radium lume, so probably 1950's / 1960's.
It has an acrylic glass.

I don't think glass making techniques were good enough back then.
Plastic is less likley to break.
Especially if there was a war going on.