Has anyone ever swapped their sapphire crystal for a acrylic crystal?

[R3Dprius]

So I have a 2018 Oyster Perpetual that I’ve worn nearly every day for two years. During these two years of wrist time I’ve accumulated a few scratches on the crystal that are mostly minor, but are still a annoying. That said, I’m thinking about going to an independent watchmaker and having the sapphire crystal swapped and giving acrylic a go. Has anyone else done the same?

[Aclockworkblue]

My understanding is that it can't be done either way sapphire->acrylic or acrylic->sapphire. It will lose its waterproofness.

[ArtNouveau]

I can’t imagine why any company would make an aftermarket acrylic crystal for a modern Rolex. Maybe it’s a generic size but I doubt it. No offense but putting acrylic on a watch that wasn’t designed to have one is a very unusual mod.

[kirksingleton]

I personally prefer the acrylic on vintage but they scratch a lot easier than sapphire

[Spoonage]

I've heard of people adding a sapphire crystal to a vintage DJ or DD, but not adding an acrylic to a new reference. I agree there may be concerns with waterproof rating on the watch after the fact. Acrylic while scratches easier can be buffed out and look like new.

[R3Dprius]

Originally Posted by Spoonage

I've heard of people adding a sapphire crystal to a vintage DJ or DD, but not adding an acrylic to a new reference. I agree there may be concerns with waterproof rating on the watch after the fact. Acrylic while scratches easier can be buffed out and look like new.

Yeah if waterproofing is an issue, this idea would be a no-go. And the buffing out of scratches is exactly why I want to try this and see how I like it. I don’t think it’d be that expensive of a thing to try out, if it’s doable while keeping the same level of water resistance.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Aclockworkblue

My understanding is that it can't be done either way sapphire->acrylic or acrylic->sapphire. It will lose its waterproofness.

Exactly different fittings and gaskets.

[R3Dprius]

Originally Posted by padi56

Exactly different fittings and gaskets.

Damn, my dream will remain just that - a dream. Thanks for the replies.

[Stan Cooper]

One of the reasons I went from a 1675 to a 16710 is that I got tired of using Polywatch to polish out scratches on the 1675 acrylic crystal. I can't imagine going back to acrylic even if it were possible.

You must be really tough on your watch to have scratches on the sapphire; there are zero scratches on the twenty year old 16710's sapphire crystal.

[R3Dprius]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

One of the reasons I went from a 1675 to a 16710 is that I got tired of using Polywatch to polish out scratches on the 1675 acrylic crystal. I can't imagine going back to acrylic even if it were possible.

You must be really tough on your watch to have scratches on the sapphire; there are zero scratches on the twenty year old 16710's sapphire crystal.

I believe they were caused by the GF’s bracelets bumping up against the sapphire. It’s the only thing I can think of that could have done it.

[/16610]

Oddly, I have the memory of a Japanese Instagram account that showed a few five-digits with plexiglass... really puzzled me at first as to what I was looking at. Can’t remember the name of the account though, so not very helpful...

I’ve heard the fittings/gasket things too, so maybe they’d only been lightly placed in?

[Dirt]

Why not simply pick up a nicely used Hesalite Sppedy Pro at the right price and see what life would be like.
Less hastles and resale value will be retained.
Besides, you may like it on the darkside and swing across to a collection of vintage with acrylic crystals.

For your information and as an example. It's not possible to swap Hesalite to Saphire and visa versa on the Speedy Pro. Thus is the fundamental challenge one will face when pursuing this type of exercise.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by R3Dprius

I believe they were caused by the GF’s bracelets bumping up against the sapphire. It’s the only thing I can think of that could have done it.

Perhaps you and your GF ought to be more aware/mindfull in the future.
I had to educate my then fience after she put a little nunga chunga in the crystal of my DSSD with her engagement ring.
It was a costly little exercise as there's little option with Rolex because there's no option to just leave it be as far as they're concerned.

[JDsnewwatch]

I use polywatch on my speedmaster pro once or twice per year to clean it up. Its a desk surfing watch (nothing more). You can clearly see the wear and tear on the hesalite. I understand the historical significance and there is some cool factor but at the end of the day you are going to be wearing a watch with an imperfect crystal until you have it serviced and then it will look perfect for a short period.

[Deepseadog]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Perhaps you and your GF ought to be more aware/mindfull in the future.
I had to educate my then fience after she put a little nunga chunga in the crystal of my DSSD with her engagement ring.
It was a costly little exercise as there's little option with Rolex because there's no option to just leave it be as far as they're concerned.

How much did the DSSD crystal set you back?

[Etschell]

even if it could be done it shouldnt. if you want the look buy a tudor black bay which has a box sapphire crystal.

[NoVaSubowner]

IT’S ALIVE!!!!!!


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[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Deepseadog

How much did the DSSD crystal set you back?

Can't quite remember but it may have been north of 400
Probably 400+10%GST

Back in 2000 I think a standard cyclops crystal was about 350.

[Deepseadog]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Can't quite remember but it may have been north of 400
Probably 400+10%GST

Back in 2000 I think a standard cyclops crystal was about 350.

That's not bad. I was thinking the 5.5mm domed crystal on the DSSD might be geometrically more expensive than the standard flat crystal.

[214270Explorer]

Sapphire any day over Acrylic.
One of the best watch technology features ever introduced.