5513- t19 superdome or t39?

[Jayrock26]

Hello trf!

Trying to figure out if the crystal on my rolex is an original T19 superdome or service T39,




Thanks guys!

[Vincent65]

looks like a 19

[foodle]

In the pics it looks a bit odd. Appears to be very tall for a T19, but the angle is hard to judge.

The original T19 super dome has a steeper change of the gradient near the edge. This looks either like T19 "dome", a reworked T19/T39 service crystal, or an aftermarket crystal.

Here is a thread with comparison pics.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=202380

[Jayrock26]

Its hard to capture it in a pic heres another in better light,

[URL=http://s36.photobucket.com/user/joelbernard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/F929568D-9FBF-4D39-A063-8A07C352E90B_zpskb75tnm3.jpg.html][/

[HERITAGE82]

Looks great, but to my untrained eye it looks like an Aftermarket crystal.

[RC2]

Originally Posted by HERITAGE82

Looks great, but to my untrained eye it looks like an Aftermarket crystal.

Think so too

[Robbyvm]

Never seen that shape....

[g-boac]

This appears to be an irregularly-shaped crystal due to an attempt to re-profile it. Not sure what it's origin is (genuine service T39, or, some sort of aftermarket), but it looks like it was unevenly ground down in an attempt to make it resemble a T19.

I picture is worth a thousand words, and I don't have a good one to offer at the moment. . .but, with a genuine T19 superdome, if you look at the sidewalls, you'll notice they will be about as tall above a fat-font bezel insert as the wide hash marks between 20 | 30 | 40 etc are thick. Your first thought might almost be to think that your bezel is pressed down and needs to pop up.

But from the photos you sent, you can easily see the sidewalls are nearly flush with the insert, so this isn't even close to being a T-19 superdome. And, on an authentic superdome, the convex curvature of dome is absolutely uniform and symmetric.

The best thing you can do in the interim, is replace this crystal with a genuine T19 service dome. They still are domed (nothing like a superdome), but you are protecting your dial and hands with a genuine Rolex crystal.

[Jayrock26]

Well that being said it being unclear as to the type of crystal, what would be the proper crystal for a 5513 from 1973? A T19 tropic or T19 superdome?

[The_Walrus]

Here is my T19 for comparison

[The_Walrus]

Here is my T19 for comparison, 5513 circa '67

[Robbyvm]

Superdome T 19

[Vincent65]

the high profile of that looks like a t39 to me, not a t19 ^^

[Robbyvm]

you make me doubt now Karl...

[Vincent65]

I'm not an expert, but the side walls are higher than usually found, and I think it's because of the depth required for the thicker case of the 1665 SD. The t-19 is a dome of course, but rises from the surface of the bezel without a vertical wall, as per the one in the first post, shape-wise.

[Jayrock26]

So that being said is there any way my crystal could be a rolex t19 dome or superdome?

Debating on pulling the trigger on another crystal to fit

[jdmi32]

I don't think yours is a genuine T19, and most certainly not a T39. Finding a legit T19 to replace it will be near impossible IMO, and besides, many would be of dubious structural integrity at this point.

ABC does good work with re-profiling a Rolex service crystal to match the dome shape of a T19, but it won't have the same exposed flat edge around the circumference that is found on an original. This is mine with the service dome from ABC.

[Jayrock26]

Sounds like im better off keeping my current crystal, it looks to be reshaped if anything polished down. Just wish i knew if it was an authentic rolex part or aftermarket.

[Jayrock26]

[paulvillo]

Getting the hang of it... Subscribed :)