Chances of Chipping a Sea-Dweller Crystal?

[PrimareSPA21]

Hi All, I just picked up a fantastic piece and I'm loving every aspect of it Sea-Dweller 4000. My question: Is there a much chance of chipping the crystal on this watch? I have read it's possible but I wonder if it is really common or is it mainly exaggerated.

I'm a technician and have a fairly physical job at times and the main reason for buying this watch is it's tool aspect. I want to be able to wear this but enjoy it without worrying about it. I have never damaged a crystal before but have damaged a lume dot in a diver before, which also concerns me a little. I have never had a watch with a protruding crystal before, I just want to enjoy it so I'm hoping to have my mind put at ease.

Thanks for any info that may help either way.

[ExplorerChris]

You wear your watch everyday and while working I'd say odds are good it's going to suffer a ding or a scratch here and there but I don't think any more than any of the other watches in the Rolex professional series.

Enjoy your watch everyday

[Rolexpharm]

Yes you may chip it but it requires a lot of force on a very hard object to chip it. I chipped mine smacking my watch on the underside of a granite countertop

[joe100]

1 in 600 daily. Those are my odds

[WAK4]

I chipped a 16600 Sea Dweller crystal but couldn't tell you when or how. Lived with it for 8 years and it was fine - hard to notice and it always passed pressure tests. But I wore it for anything - office, yard work, military (infantry) and it held up well. I wouldn't worry about it.

[foodle]

It's possible. I've chipped the edge of a sapphire crystal on another watch. The raised crystal makes the chances worse.

[14060m]

No worries
Just enjoy it

[GradyPhilpott]

I've seen sapphire crystals chipped to death practically.

My AD had a used Tiger on sale one time that had so many chips in the crystal, I couldn't believe he'd sell it that way and he wouldn't even talk about a service included in the asking price. I guess some people want them as is.

Anyway, any SS Oyster would fill your bill as a tool watch and that's why a lot of my friends think I wear fake Rolex watches, because they can't believe that I'd wear a Rolex doing some of the things I do, like working around aircraft and such.

If you bought it for its tool aspects, then use it that way and don't worry about the chips.

You can always get the crystal replaced at service time.

[Chelseafan]

Yes more so than other models but it goes with the territory...just enjoy and deal with it if it happens.

[nikhsub1]

It's not difficult to have the crystal replaced if you do. I would not worry one bit about it.

[PrimareSPA21]

Ok great responses. I'll try to relax it's funny that I feel this way cause I've worn my BLNR for six months without worrying about it. Maybe it's just the fact this has a Lume Dot and a raised crystal. Thanks again.

[joli160]

Normal daily use it's not easy to get it damaged but I had a chip on my Day date by accidentally touching a rough brick wall. Luckily only the chrystal and not the case got damaged. It's a good fender
Was an easy fix.

[leicashot]

I worried about this for a second before getting my 116600, then I came to my senses and just bought it ;-) ....the crystal is one of the alluring points of difference aesthetically on the SD.

[ZROLEX]

I've chipped a small piece on the edge of the crystal on my DJ, and I don't even remember hitting it at all (well I must have hit it hard I guess). They checked it to wr and it was totally fine, just a small chip on the outer rim of the crystal was broken and it didnt go inside so it was fine.

[PrimareSPA21]

Originally Posted by leicashot

I worried about this for a second before getting my 116600, then I came to my senses and just bought it ;-) ....the crystal is one of the alluring points of difference aesthetically on the SD.

I agree I love the way the sunlight is captured inside the crystal and exits via a single point on the edge. Looks so beautiful sometimes like it has a halo over the watch.

[SUBversive]

Possible but not probable. Also many chips are not visible to the naked eye and may constitute a recommended service only. So even if it happens it might not be a big deal

[phils]

I have a 16610 Sub. and when I took it in for service they noticed a small chip at 6:00 which I missed but could feel it.
The AD said if it passes depth test no need to replace, and it did pass.