How to Upgrade DWC Diver to a Case with Sapphire Crystal

Compatible with DWC D-01 Dive Watch

This sapphire crystal upgrade is done with a doubled domed sapphire crystal — notice the curvature of the crystal

Sapphire crystal upgrade is one of the most pratical upgrades you can apply to your watch. A crystal made of sapphire is significantly much harder, and thus more scratch resistant, than mineral glass or acrylic. But replacing crystal is not an easy task. You need to identify the diameter of the original crystal, and the process requires a dedicated tool (crystal press).

That’s why at our store, you can buy a case with sapphire crystal pre-installed. To do an sapphire upgrade, you just simply swap out the case, which is considerably easier than replacing the crystal.

In this article, we’ll show you the steps needed to upgrade to a case with sapphire crystal.

Tools and parts needed

• Your old watch (if you have assembled your watch) / component pack (if you haven’t assembled your watch)

• Sapphire case

• Case knife (for transferring the bezel from old watch to new case)

The required steps depend on whether you are:

1. doing a pre-installation upgrade (meaning you have a component pack)

2. doing a complete watch upgrade (meaning you already have an assembled watch)

How to do a pre-installation upgrade for sapphire case

Correct position of the click ring should have its two feet inserted into these holes on the case

1. (If you have a separate bezel, you can skip this step and go to the next one) First remove the exisiting bezel on the case in the component pack. To do this, you need a case knife, which you can get on our online store.

   Insert the case knife into the gap between the bezel and the case. Push it in all the way and then you can pry of the bezel. For detailed instruction check out our guide here.

2. Install the bezel onto the sapphire case. First make sure the click ring is still in place, then press the bezel onto the case. It’ll take quite some force to do so, so you might want to put some protection between the case and the working surface (like a stack of post-it).

3. Then you can follow the video instruction on watch assembly normally. When required to take out the crown and caseback, do so with the old case.

How to do a sapphire watch case upgrade

What you need to do basically is take out the movement assembly and pop it into the new case. Here’s how to do it:

This is the location of the stem release button on a Seiko NH35

1. Remove the case back

   You’ll need to use the case back opener to unscrew the case back. Remember to retain the gasket (a black elastic ring) from the old case for the new case.

2. Remove the stem and crown

   Unscrew the crown, then press the stem release button on the movement and take out the crown.

3. Remove movement dial assembly

   Just tap the case in a dial up position onto the table a few times and the assembly should come out. If not, use the tweezer as a lever to pry loose the assembly.

4. Remove and install the bezel

   This is the same as step 1 and 2 in “How to do a pre-installation upgrade for sapphire case” above.

5. Casing and re-installation

   Check all parts for dust and clean accordingly. Put the assembly into the new case, insert the stem and crown, and screw on the case back.

That’s it!

Now go enjoy your watch with sapphire crystal upgrade!