Original 1016 domed crystal sources

[Nicholas Bedworth]

Any ideas on sourcing an original domed 1016 crystal, rather than the somewhat awkward RSC service spares? And why don't they supply domed ones when they do an overhaul?

It would be nice to restore my 1972 1016 with a domed crystal to replace the service spare. That way I won't have to buy an R or L series. :)

I'll be in the US for June and July, and can bring the crystal back to the RSC watchmaker here in Kathmandu who will be delighted to make the swap.

[Bob the brush]

I dislike the service crystal that are fitted by RSC, and I have managed to get the correct T22 domed crystal for my 1016 from Classic watch repairs in Hong Kong. I have problems getting this fitted, as Rolex accredited watchmakers I have approached won't fit it because it's not a Rolex supplied part. I will find somebody, apparently it is a very quick fit if you know what you are doing and have the right equipment, but this applies to most of life.

[CF999]

Originally Posted by Bob the brush

I dislike the service crystal that are fitted by RSC, and I have managed to get the correct T22 domed crystal for my 1016 from Classic watch repairs in Hong Kong. I have problems getting this fitted, as Rolex accredited watchmakers I have approached won't fit it because it's not a Rolex supplied part. I will find somebody, apparently it is a very quick fit if you know what you are doing and have the right equipment, but this applies to most of life.

I too am in need of a domed crystal for a 1016 and would like to know how the HK one fitted.
Have a man who can fit if you can recommend the crystal

[Karbo]

Mine with original dome

[CF999]

Mine is original but has a couple of chips/fractures.
Sorry but I’m a bit OCD!

[sillo]

I'd just keep an eye out on Watch recon and ebay. When I had my 1016 I was able to find a nos T22 through watch recon.

Before


After

[Toronto Soup King]

Be careful with the aftermarket domes, regardless of source. I have nothing but praise for Michael Young, but the dome he sold me cracked on install and was subsequently chucked out by LAWW. LAWW polishes down their domes.

[R!$]

I stocked up on these

PM me if you still need one

[sensui]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

Be careful with the aftermarket domes, regardless of source. I have nothing but praise for Michael Young, but the dome he sold me cracked on install and was subsequently chucked out by LAWW. LAWW polishes down their domes.

I'm sure he would have made it right. I had one from mishandling come in and he replaced it immediately. I've placed 2 T22 sized domes from Michael on my pair of 1016's and my watchmaker who is a OEM stickler for Rolex (insisted on service crystals) said he was surprised how well they fit and sealed. So my experience has been great....along with his other crystals for divers as well.

[saskmh]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

Be careful with the aftermarket domes, regardless of source. I have nothing but praise for Michael Young, but the dome he sold me cracked on install and was subsequently chucked out by LAWW. LAWW polishes down their domes.

I had one crack three weeks after installation. I took the watch off the winder and it was cracked around the retaining ring. He did replace the crystal for me, so no complaints about customer service.

[CalSRQ1]

I’m on the hunt myself - love my 1016 but would love it more with a domed crystal. I had Rik check it out and he mentioned having older crystals crack on installation...but they just look so great.

[trackpad]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

Be careful with the aftermarket domes, regardless of source. I have nothing but praise for Michael Young, but the dome he sold me cracked on install and was subsequently chucked out by LAWW. LAWW polishes down their domes.

The 1016 crystals sold by Classic Watch are 3rd party,...not NOS from Rolex. At least that was the answer I got from them upon my enquiry.

And that makes sense relative to the price.

[CF999]

Sourced mine from Michael Young at Classic in Hong Kong and had it fitted here by local watch maker.
Great alternative to going flat top, no problem cost with Fed ex about £70.


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[sillo]

Those are nice but they're way more domed than the genuine T22. Could be the picture though.

[suso]

650

[CF999]

Yes picture is exaggerated see below they are exact models from the original which came with mine,



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[CF999]

You pays your money,you takes your choice


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[HilaryTenzing]

I have a related question perhaps- I just purchased a 1971 1016 with what I assumed was an original-style domed crystal. It has some micro-cracks (crazing?) at the edges, only visible under a loupe. I took it to a local jeweler (not a Rolex watchmaker) to buff out some surface scuffs, and he was convinced the crystal was glass (did a tap test). Are there glass domed crystal replacements out there? What about the after-market T22 replacements- are they glass or acrylic? I still think its acrylic, based on how easily I seemed to have scuffed it.

[romelo]

Can anyone tell from the photos here if the crystal is the correct original (T22)? This 1016 is circa 1988 and I have read in passing that the later versions (R/L serials) had different (less domed?) crystals?

I have sent to RSC for a service quote and they said that it unlikely they will be able to comment on whether or not the crystal has the same dome as the original version.

RSC say that if I want to keep the crystal as is, then they will not be able to water test and that it may crack when they try take it off.

I am inclined to keep as is, but only in fact the crystal isn't already a RSC version, in which case I might as well have RSC replace to a new one.

Grateful for your views.

Many thanks

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by romelo

Can anyone tell from the photos here if the crystal is the correct original (T22)? This 1016 is circa 1988 and I have read in passing that the later versions (R/L serials) had different (less domed?) crystals?

I have sent to RSC for a service quote and they said that it unlikely they will be able to comment on whether or not the crystal has the same dome as the original version.

RSC say that if I want to keep the crystal as is, then they will not be able to water test and that it may crack when they try take it off.

I am inclined to keep as is, but only in fact the crystal isn't already a RSC version, in which case I might as well have RSC replace to a new one.

Grateful for your views.

Many thanks

Photos are too blurry for me. Is there a noticeable bevel around the top edge of crystal?


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[southtexas]

Originally Posted by HilaryTenzing

I have a related question perhaps- I just purchased a 1971 1016 with what I assumed was an original-style domed crystal. It has some micro-cracks (crazing?) at the edges, only visible under a loupe. I took it to a local jeweler (not a Rolex watchmaker) to buff out some surface scuffs, and he was convinced the crystal was glass (did a tap test). Are there glass domed crystal replacements out there? What about the after-market T22 replacements- are they glass or acrylic? I still think its acrylic, based on how easily I seemed to have scuffed it.

Is the crystal cold or warm when placed against your cheek?

Edit to add: looked again, looks plastic to me.


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[romelo114060]

Thank you both. There is definitely a noticeable bevel around the top and it is plastic, but would the service crystals have no bevel at all? I presumed the service crystal would be plastic too, is that not the case?

[sillo]

Originally Posted by romelo114060

Thank you both. There is definitely a noticeable bevel around the top and it is plastic, but would the service crystals have no bevel at all? I presumed the service crystal would be plastic too, is that not the case?

Service crystals are plastic, but are very flat with a sharp bevel around the edge.

[Juhuatai]

1988 won't have a T22.

[romelo]

Thank you. Did the later models 1988 etc. then come with the flat sharp bevelled crystals (i.e. same as the RSC version)?

[CharlieR]

Originally Posted by romelo

Thank you. Did the later models 1988 etc. then come with the flat sharp bevelled crystals (i.e. same as the RSC version)?

Can anyone answer this?

[Juhuatai]

Yes. They did, they came with the service crystal not the T22.


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[indianmachine]

maybe worth considering a truedome d22 https://truedome.com/shop/p/d22-explorer