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ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
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#1 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2019
Real Name: Steve
Location: Washington, DC
Watch: Rolex Daytona
Posts: 122
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Submariner Date 41mm without cyclops (is it possible?)
I just got the new Submariner Date 41 mm. It'd be perfect if it didn't have the cyclops.
Is it possible to get the non cyclops crystal from the Submariner No-Date 41mm and have it replaced on the Date? There are lots of Submariner Dates without the cyclops from the 1970s - it would be a similar effect. Has anyone seen this done? |
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#2 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Real Name: Dave
Location: San Diego, CA
Watch: 126600
Posts: 581
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People would do that regularly with the 11 series, not sure why the 12 series would be any different (i.e., 126610 and 124010 having different crystal sizes)
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#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Jesper
Location: Earth
Watch: 116234
Posts: 1,713
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Couldnt you get your local independnet to remove it? Its glued as i recall. Warranty is probably out the window though
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Stanton, CA
Watch: 18238
Posts: 33
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Holy smokes I never thought of this. Can someone please confirm??
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#5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Real Name: Xavier
Location: Switzerland
Watch: 116600
Posts: 446
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Liberty |
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: America
Posts: 714
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Years ago I recall guys removing the cyclops. This was before Rolex prices went nuts and guys were moding watches. There might be some really old threads about it. You just have to get the right solvent to release the glue.
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#7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Socal/LA
Watch: 116610LN Ceramic
Posts: 3,223
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I believe the cyclops can be removed but remember seeing a photo where you could still see the outline of where the cyclops was, I could be wrong though
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♛ Sub 116610LN 2011 ♛ GMT 126710BLNR 2021 ♛ GMT 126711CHNR 2020 ♛ Datejust 16233 X-series 1993 Ω Speedmaster Mitsukoshi 2019 č Cartier Tank w5200025 2021 |
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#8 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NL
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 14,592
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The cyclops makes it a Rolex, I like them
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Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711. |
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#9 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
Posts: 46,630
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I believe the answer is yes on the cyclops removal or the replacement of the crystal. Talk to a independent watch maker and see what they say. I would be tempted to by an OEM crystal from a ND and have it switched out and keep the OEM. Down the road you could include it in a package with a sale or trade or just switch it back should you desire. Great watch.
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#10 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: John
Location: Midwest
Watch: 5513,1675,216570
Posts: 1,490
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Quote:
![]() Also, I am not an expert on different vintages but I heard stories that the AR coating on the crystal is different under the cyclops and the crystal would look strange if the cyclops was removed. |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 855
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This is correct, although I am unsure if this has changed on the 126610.
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#12 |
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Real Name: Francisco
Location: San Juan, PR
Watch: Is Ticking !
Posts: 25,007
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__________________
Francisco ♛ 16610 / 116264 Ω 168.022 / 2535.80.00 / 310.30.42.50.01.002 Zenith 02.480.405 2FA security enabled |
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#13 |
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Join Date: Oct 2018
Real Name: Matthew
Location: Tulsa, OK, USA
Posts: 1,932
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Would doing this void the warranty as you'd have a non-Rolex entity opening the case?
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|Rolex Submariner 114060|Rolex Datejust 126234 silver dial| |Tudor Heritage Chrono 70330B| |Grand Seiko SBGT021 day-date quartz| |
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#14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Real Name: Michael
Location: RTP, NC, USA
Watch: ♕& Ω
Posts: 5,179
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I recently bought a Steinhart Coke GMT, and because I don't like the wart, I removed it myself. I was a little hesitant, afraid that I would damage the watch, but I did it, didn't ruin the crystal, the case or anything...
Before and after pics below. I used a heat gun, a sharp utility knife and a lot of "Tarminator" which is the same as any of your "goo gone" type products to remove the residual glue.
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Enjoy life - it has an expiration date. Disclaimer: Please note that the avatar is not an accurate representation of how I look. The camera adds 10 pounds... |
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#15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 518
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Why not get the sub no date?
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#16 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 1,552
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Quote:
2. I like your watch better without the Cyclops … I think it looks good. My Black Submariners have no date, and I prefer that look. As you know, for reference / comparison, some Sea-Dwellers have the magnifying lens, and some do not. |
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#17 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: kommyfornia
Posts: 202
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if mine did not have the cyclops, i would not be able to read it.
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#18 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: TX
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 3,225
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Quote:
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#19 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: TX
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 3,225
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#20 |
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,583
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#21 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Real Name: John
Location: Rochester/Naples
Watch: Pepsi
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Quote:
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#22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MN
Watch: OP36 Blue 3-6-9
Posts: 2,193
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The cyclops is just affixed with UV glue. Yes, you can remove it but with the way they applied the AR coating on the 11 series watches there was a cyclops shaped spot of AR underneath the crystal. The cyclops itself also had a layer of AR underneath it, so the two layers combined created that black hole effect on an otherwise non-AR crystal. There are some pics of what happens if you remove it as well as a copy of the Rolex spec sheet for the AR cyclops crystal here: https://minus4plus6.com/116710.php#cyclops
I have read that the new 12 series subs actually have a full AR crystal now, so "in theory" that would mean that the entire underside surface of the crystal has the AR coating. Then the cyclops itself has a layer of AR underneath it to still create that additional clarity through the cyclops from the double AR. "In theory" removing it should not produce the goofy looking results that happened with the 11 series crystals. You won't know until you try it! Good luck and report back. Worst case is you then just go try to source a 124060 crystal at your AD and have them swap it in for you. Back in the day, with the 1680 you could choose which plexi you wanted. You could choose a T19 dome or a super dome, or take the standard top hat plexi. Personally, I think the domes look so much better on the 1680 than the top hat does. Night and day. |
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#23 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Real Name: Ben
Location: Valley of the Sun
Watch: 126331 126610 3861
Posts: 3,235
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Yah - it's one thing to ruin a cheap Steinhart. It's a crappy-looking faux-Rolex "homage" so no real harm done.
Now, I think you should take a $10,000 watch, which is actually worth about $20K, and use a heat gun, a sharp utility knife and a bunch of goo gone on it. Really, slather all that Goo Gone goodness all over it. The ceramic bezel, perhaps under the crown, you know - work it all in real good. Then, when you butcher it and it is ruined, you can send us some pictures. Of course, none of this will actually happen, but the mental picture of the potential mid-project disaster is interesting... |
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#24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,583
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If I was inclined to do this I would not hesitate to have my local guy source and install a non cyclops crystal and keep the original. I also have a strict no date rule in my collection so it won't ever come up.
Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk |
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#25 | |||
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Real Name: Michael
Location: RTP, NC, USA
Watch: ♕& Ω
Posts: 5,179
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Quote:
Thanks John. Quote:
Quote:
I was more worried about the heat gun than anything else, as the watch got pretty darn hot.
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Enjoy life - it has an expiration date. Disclaimer: Please note that the avatar is not an accurate representation of how I look. The camera adds 10 pounds... |
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#26 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: USA
Watch: 124060
Posts: 177
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It's only guled on, a 15$ pocket torch off amazon and 4-5 seconds and it pop's right off. But do you really want to do it?
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#27 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: USA
Watch: Omega Seamaster
Posts: 255
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If I were to do that I’m inclined to agree with those that said to buy a regular no date crystal and have that installed.
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#28 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Real Name: Rob
Location: Chicagoland
Watch: D-Blue
Posts: 90
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My experience from several years ago, I also didnt like the cyclops and the AD removed it. But its not as simple as removing the cyclops, due to the UV coating on newer models. You have to swap out the entire crystal. I don't recall what model was compatible, but its definitely an option if you work with the right AD.
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#29 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: London
Watch: 114060LB
Posts: 3,901
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#30 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Houston
Posts: 209
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why would you do this? don't do this.
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Tags |
41mm , cyclops , submariner |
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