Smooth glass on the GMT II?

[mansion]

I have just treated myself to a GMT II (end of http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=12889).

It was a difficlut choice: Sea Dweller or GMT II? I liked the smooth glass of the Sea Dweller, but not the thickness of the case.

So I went for the GMT II.

Question: would it theoretically be possible to repalce the glass-with-cyclops on the GMT II by the glass-with-no-cyclops of the Submariner No Date?

(Just asking, just asking!)

[Incurable]

With big enough cojones and a soldering iron, I've been told you can remove the cyclops from your present glass.

[seros]

With big enough [COLOR="Black"]cojones[/COLOR] and a soldering iron, I've been told you can remove the cyclops from your present glass.

Spanich????

[mrbieler]

Originally Posted by Incurable

With big enough cojones and a soldering iron, I've been told you can remove the cyclops from your present glass.

If you don't mind frying the rubber seals...

[mansion]

I see that my question is not taken seriously!

[Gedanken]

No, mansion, it has in fact been answered, just not in the most sedate of ways.

You don't actually have to change the whole crystal. The cyclops can be removed by applying heat to break up the adhesive under the cyclops lens. However, it's better that a jeweller do it for you rather than a DIY job.

[ginzo]

Originally Posted by mansion

I have just treated myself to a GMT II (end of http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=12889).

It was a difficlut choice: Sea Dweller or GMT II? I liked the smooth glass of the Sea Dweller, but not the thickness of the case.

So I went for the GMT II.

Question: would it theoretically be possible to repalce the glass-with-cyclops on the GMT II by the glass-with-no-cyclops of the Submariner No Date?

(Just asking, just asking!)

Congrats on having your new GMT II. Your question would best be answered by a watchmaker. Find a local watchmaker who has access to Rolex parts and see what he says. I think it would be a nice look.

[mrbieler]

Heat is the best way and it's best applied with the crystal and the watch on two different parts of the work bench.

A local jeweler should be able to do it for not much money including a follow up pressure test.

[Alcan]

If you search TimeZone, there are several posts re removing the cyclops. It's done with a very sharp small chisel and one hit with a small hammer. The result in every instance is a clean crystal with no cyclops. Check out CharlesN's post:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...40#msg_2453922

There's no way I'd be foolish or reckless enough to use a heat gun on my Rolex.

[Incurable]

Sorry, didn't mean to make any waves... When I first read of this 'technique' I thought it was a bit like driving a tack w/a sledge hammer but... the more I thought about it, applying enough heat in a fast and concentrated way, a soldering iron might indeed be the proper implement. Keeping the heat localized and hot enough to do the job before the energy spreads to areas you don't want (ie, rubber seals, dials, etc.) would require some finesse and experience. Thus the cajones... Not to be attempted by the faint of heart nor fumble of finger...

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this and prior posts don't necessarily reflect those of the author. Methods and techniques described are not endorsed by the author nor should they be undertaken without full understanding of the risks involved. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy, methods or results from executing the steps described.

[JJ Irani]

Siiiiiiiiiiiiigh......only one question: WHY?

[Flyjet601]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Siiiiiiiiiiiiigh......only one question: WHY?

I agree...taking hammers and chisles and soldering irons to a ROLEX watch.....geez if Hans only knew

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Flyjet601

I agree...taking hammers and chisles and soldering irons to a ROLEX watch.....geez if Hans only knew

Oh, he knows alright....and his spirit must be turning cartwheels inside his grave!!

[astcell]

I'm surprised Rolex did not think to put the magnifier inside the crystal like on the Panerai.

[Gedanken]

Originally Posted by Alcan

If you search TimeZone, there are several posts re removing the cyclops. It's done with a very sharp small chisel and one hit with a small hammer. The result in every instance is a clean crystal with no cyclops. Check out CharlesN's post:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...40#msg_2453922

There's no way I'd be foolish or reckless enough to use a heat gun on my Rolex.

Gradual heat from a soldering iron is reckless but a hammer and chisel is fine? What's wrong with this picture?

I sincerely hope you're kidding, Al - you do know how sapphire is prone to letting go in a big way when it's finally had enough, don't you? Get the angle on that chisel wrong and kiss one hitherto perfectly fine sapphire crystal goodbye.

[colemanitis]

Originally Posted by astcell

I'm surprised Rolex did not think to put the magnifier inside the crystal like on the Panerai.

The cyclops has become a Rolex icon. I'd be surprised if they ever get rid of it.

[G&T Master]

May I ask; why don't you like the cyclops? Is it just the look?

After all, it serves a purpose and a Rolex watch is meant to be a tool not a fashion statement.

No offence, but you may want to consider resale value. A new crystal will probably be required in that instance.

[Gedanken]

The Cyclops can be reattached without too much work, and besides, the original GMTs came with a plain crystal and Cyclops was only an optional extra. I don't see a problem with removing it.

[tonelar]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

The Cyclops can be reattached without too much work, and besides, the original GMTs came with a plain crystal and Cyclops was only an optional extra. I don't see a problem with removing it.

I've taken off two of these things... It does require a steady hand and a solid hold on the Rolex.



I think it leaves a very distinct and clean looking watch.

[Gedanken]

So how did you take the Cyclops off, Tony?

[tonelar]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

So how did you take the Cyclops off, Tony?

Let me correct my previous statement... I've removed two, but the first was an accident. I was up at Tahoe and it was c c c cold out. I bumped the crystal of my Submariner coming through a doorway and the cyclops just popped off.

On the above Explorer II, I set the watch on my window so it got pretty cold, and tapped it off with a sharp, hardened screwdriver blade and a small hammer (brass mallet actually).

[Gedanken]

Yeesh - the idea of putting a screwdriver to a crystal gives me the heebie-jeebies.

[tonelar]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Yeesh - the idea of putting a screwdriver to a crystal gives me the heebie-jeebies.

You're only touching the flat of the blade against the edge of the crystal... But then again, if you like your cyclope (plural for cyclops?), you needn't do this...

There are alot of things people do that don't necessarily make sense to me. One of them is living with something they don't want... quite simply, I don't want a cyclops on every Rolex I own.

[Gedanken]

Fair enough, Tony. However, I know a guy who survived a 10,000 foot drop after his main and reserve failed, but that don't mean I'm going to go falling out of a plane without a parachute!

[Ragu]

Gedanken,
how did that "one" lucky fellow manage to survive that drop if you don't mind me asking?

[Gedanken]

Would you believe he went through all the branches of a tree and then through the roof of a shanty house? Legend has it he landed on the dining table and broke that too, and with a broken arm and rib he got up, apologised to the family for interrupting their dinner and went out to wait for the ambulance.

A couple of years later he had a second incident where the main failed but the reserve opened. The powers-that-be at the Parachute Training Wing decided that one man can only have so much luck and restricted him to static line jumps. As it turns out, his luck did eventually run out - he passed away with cancer about a year ago.

[tonelar]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Fair enough, Tony. However, I know a guy who survived a 10,000 foot drop after his main and reserve failed, but that don't mean I'm going to go falling out of a plane without a parachute!

Haha! Here's to him! We should all be that lucky...

[mike]

Without the cyclops your GMT would look something like this. I like it.

Not my photo,

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Gradual heat from a soldering iron is reckless but a hammer and chisel is fine? What's wrong with this picture?

I sincerely hope you're kidding, Al - you do know how sapphire is prone to letting go in a big way when it's finally had enough, don't you? Get the angle on that chisel wrong and kiss one hitherto perfectly fine sapphire crystal goodbye.

No, I'm not kidding. CharlesN over at TimeZone has used that technique on several of his Rolex, including his platinum DD. Here are his comments and results:

"Sharp Blade on the flat surface.
A very light tap with a very light weight hammer and it pops off.
I have done it to both my DJ and my DD.
They looke like this ........"

[nko51]

Go with the Submariner if the crystal seems to thick for you. The Sea-Deweller has it's place, do not change it.

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