The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 14 March 2011, 12:02 AM   #1
1bad750
"TRF" Member
 
1bad750's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NewYork
Posts: 634
1984 dd acrylic crystal or saphire?

Looking at a beautiful 84 yg dd, would an 84 be acrylic or saphire crystal? also is 84 the non raised glass? thanks guys.
1bad750 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 March 2011, 12:52 AM   #2
Alcan
"TRF" Member
 
Alcan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Real Name: Al
Location: Way Up North
Watch: your P's & Q's
Posts: 10,473
My info indicates that the Day Date and Datejust started with sapphire crystals around 1978:

History of Rolex Sapphire Crystal

I’ve always seen people in Rolex forums ask when Submariner began to use sapphire crystal, and occasionally someone will ask the time when Deepsea Sea-Dweller adopted sapphire.

But there is almost no systemic introduction about the time when Rolex series adopted the sapphire crystal.

Sapphire crystal often appeared together with gold Rolex, but the contemporaneous steel Rolex still used acrylic face.

The following information introduces sapphire crystal’s adoption year of Rolex mens watches, it is normal if there is one or two-year deviation.

Testing(1978):

In the early 70s, there were few Rolex watches that used sapphire crystal face, the first Rolex that used sapphire crystal was Ref. 5100, which was equipped with Beta 21 quartz movement, the next was ref. 1530, Ref. 1630, Ref. 1831.

Small-amplitude Replacement(1978-1984):

Between 1978 and 1984, sapphire crystal successfully entered into replacement stage, some popular models that used sapphire crystal were born.

In 1978, Day-Date and Datejust(Ref. 16018, 16019), as well as OysterQuartz, all started to use sapphire.

From 1981, the first Rolex sport model Submariner(Ref. 16800, 16808), Sea-Dweller(Ref. 16660) and GMT-Master(Ref. 16758) began to use.

After several years, in 1984, sapphire crystal was equipped on GMT-Master II(Ref. 16760), Explorer II(Ref. 16550) and the two toneSubmariner(Ref. 16803).

Period of Great Innovation(1989-1991):

In the late 80s, all Rolex models were equipped with sapphire crystal.

First was the self-winding Daytona(Ref. 1652X) in 1988, in 1989, Date, Datejust, Turn-O-Graph all adopted sapphire, also including GMT-Master(Ref. 16700), GMT-Master II(Ref. 16710, 16713, 16718). In 1990, Explorer(Ref. 14270) used sapphire crystal and in 1991, Air-King also used.

From 1978 to 1991, it took Rolex nearly 13 years to replace acrylic glass face with sapphire crystal, but the experimental period in 1970 was not included.
__________________
Member #1,315

I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!
Alcan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 March 2011, 01:24 AM   #3
1bad750
"TRF" Member
 
1bad750's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NewYork
Posts: 634
so yes? thansk for the info.
1bad750 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 March 2011, 01:27 AM   #4
MonBK
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Kingstown
Posts: 58,277
The 9630 was introduced with sapphire crystal a couple of years before the 5100.
MonBK is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

OCWatches

Wrist Aficionado

WatchShell

My Watch LLC

Takuya Watches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2025, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.