After years of wear, your watch crystal may get damaged and break or even be lost. Never fear, you can still find the perfect size replacement crystal be following this guide to learn how to measure a watch bezel.

 

Tools Needed:

 

Step 1

First you should examine the watch case, make sure that the lip where the crystal would usually sit in the watch case is free of glue and debris as any debris will throw off your measurements.

Measure a Watch Bezel_step1

 

When you are sure the bezel is clean, lay the watch out flat on your work surface so that the watch crystal is facing up to the ceiling.

 

 

Measure a Watch Bezel_step2Step 2

Next take your digital gauge and insert the backward opening jaws into the gap where the crystal should be in the watch case. Slowly open the jaws until they rest snugly against the edges of the watch case from the twelve o’clock position and the six o’clock position.

 

This will give you the inside diameter of the watch case and the diameter of the watch crystal. Repeat this measurement to ensure an accurate reading. Note down your result.

 

 

measurecrystalmissing_step3Step 3

Turn the watch case so you can measure the diameter again, this time from the three o’clock position to the nine o’clock position.

 

 

Just like before, insert the backward opening jaws into the gap in the watch case where the crystal should sit and slowly open them until the rest snugly against the edges of the watch case. Note down the measurement of this distance.

 

Step 4

Next you will need to estimate the thickness of your watch crystal by looking at the watch case from the side. Pick it up and hold it at eye level. Note where the watch hands are and estimate this distance by holding the end of your digital gauge at the lip where the crystal usually sits and opening it until it reaches above the top of the watch hands. Note this measurement.

measurecrystalmissing_step4

 

 

Finished

When you have collected these measurements you can order a new crystal. Be aware that if you have a compression crystal or a tension ring you will want to choose a crystal that is one tenth of a millimeter larger than what you measured so it fits securely in the watch case.

Visit Esslinger.com’s Learning Center for more watch repairĀ guides.