Assuming the watch was fitted with a tension ring crystal when new, it is possible that the crystal was replaced with an incorrect crystal at some time in the past 35 years.

The G-S crystal company makes a tension ring crystal with a wide metal ring. This may be what is needed to secure the movement

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This image is copied from Page 116 of the G-S catalog--you can find the catalog online. Admittedly, the image quility is terrible, I enlarged it a bit with the intention of making it more readable--not sure I succeded..

As you can see, the crystal is only available in a narrow size range. I have no way of knowing if the available size range will fit your watch, but if it does, it may be the soulution to your problem. T-ring crystals, as you likely know are an interferance fit, one orders the size 0.1 mm larger than the opening. Of course a good crystal press is required to insert the crystal.

Any large U.S. watch material supplier should be able to supply this, although it may be a special order.

 

Thanks very much for the response. I'll look into it.

 

I am curious...how is the hole, for what I assume is the stem release, sealed to keep moisture and dirt out? Is there a screw in it that i missed?

 

It is for the stem release. it is missing a screw or some type of seal.

 

If this watch was taken apart, perhaps there was a movement ring that was not put back on. You might take a close look at the case, and see if there's any wear around the area where a steel ring might have been. I'd also look at the outer edge of the dial, and see if there's any wear that might have been caused by a crystal bearing down upon it.

Michael.

 

I agree with this. I have a "few" Timex watches that are front loaded, held in place by the crystal. Not every one has a flat dial (domed), and require a ring in place to give the right amount of tension to hold the movement snug. This may or may not be the case with this design. I too would look for signs of wear around the perimeter of the dial.

Looking back at your picture doesn't show any signs of this wear, so it must be that the wrong crystal was installed at some point and the movement will not be held tight enough. Something needs to be sandwiched in between the bottom of the crystal and the top of the dial. Some crystal were designed to do just that, as mentioned by ccwatchmaker.