anyone know if this is easy to do on your own if you have a case opener - or should i not even try it

Once you get the case back off you need to remove the movement which involves detaching the stem and removing the screws holding the movement in place. Once you have the bare case there's a press which removes and then forces the new crystal into place (it's typically a friction fit) and you need the right tool because if uniform pressure isn't applied you can distort the case. Just my 2¢ and I'm no watch repair guru, but I have seen it done more than once!

you just need to know how to remove the reteiner ring and then the crystal will come off very easy but there is no need to remove caseback, movement etc.

Good luck

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..ask how to do it I would not suggest trying it, do you not have a friendly local watchmaker?

was just trying to learn something new thats all - got some good info but i dont have the correct tools so i will leave the collecting to myself and the fixing and servicing to my watchmaker

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If you miss the watch, you'll dent your spoon! And, anyway, you gotta have a really big, heavy mother of a hammer. A 5-pounder outta do. One solid zetz and your crystal problems are history.

Seriously, the problem isn't so much getting the [old ] crystal off, but getting the [new] crystal on. You need a crystal press or you're likely to have problems getting the crystal retaining ring back on straight. The procedure isn't difficult, but you've gotta have the right tools. Oh, and you've also gotta be meticulously clean, or your customer (i.e., you!) is gonna be less than happy when they find dust inside the crystal.