A tool watch with a raised crystal?

[ma2045]

When I bought my 116600 SD4K it had a chipped crystal which cost £120 to replace by RSC but my question is why would a tool watch have a characteristic like this? I know the thickness of the crystal serves a purpose but couldn't Rolex have sunk it deeper into the midcase or made it domed? The crystal is already the weakest part of a watch & I don't see any need to make it more susceptible to damage. Now, I've seen The Abyss and therefore am a subject matter expert on deep sea exploration, and that environment is not great for such a trait which could be engineered out.

Whatever you may think about this, at least this isn't another "is it safe to..." thread.



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[Henrimontgomery]

Well if you were truly an expert, you’d know 126660 has no such thing and the sapphire sits flush with the bezel. Perhaps you need to watch other movies such as Le Grand Bleu to be a true expert!

[77T]

It’s a design issue that could be addressed. My preference wouldn’t be changing how the crystal sits on the midcase. Rather, I’d prefer the bezel to be thicker and angled to shield the exposed edge of the crystal.


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[effovex]

I agree OP - I am surprised that many luxury divers have the crystal protruding above the bezel (many other entry level pieces from Seiko/Citizen typically have the bezel raised above the crystal which IMO seems superior).

[ma2045]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

Well if you were truly an expert, you’d know 126660 has no such thing and the sapphire sits flush with the bezel. Perhaps you need to watch other movies such as Le Grand Bleu to be a true expert!

I never said I knew anything about the 126660.

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[Old Expat Beast]

I've often wondered about this too. Seiko Tuna professional models, for example, have been tested to beyond 3,000 metres and they have a flat crystal, lower than the bezel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPS6S0x6QgY

[Bladeshot]

I’ve chipped ceramic inserts, dinged cases and bezels and, of course, chipped crystals. Crystals are cheap. Ceramic inserts are more $.

Rolex tool watches from inception had raised crystals. I don’t mind them being raised on modern references. Depending on how you whack it, something is going to ding or chip. Talked with a guy today who broke his DBlue insert. Break it; fix it. No big deal to me. I like the design.
YMMV

[joli160]

Rolex watches are not tools but jewelry.

[airchitect]

Originally Posted by joli160

Rolex watches are not tools but jewelry.

Yeah but they started out as tools and actually perform far better today than they ever have regardless of tacked on fanciness.


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