Removing cyclops

[donas]

I am thinking of removing the magnifier from the date window on my GMT. Can anyone tell me if this will leave any tell tail signs on the crystal? I am concerned about seeing an outline from where it was. I am also quite concerned about the operation itself

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by donas

I am thinking of removing the magnifier from the date window on my GMT. Can anyone tell me if this will leave any tell tail signs on the crystal? I am concerned about seeing an outline from where it was. I am also quite concerned about the operation itself

I suggest you do what I did which was to purchase a replacement (service) crystal and soak it in acetone for a couple of days until the Cyclops came off. I then carried the watch and crystal to my watchmaker to swap the crystals and do a pressure test. My original crystal is in storage should I ever want to restore the OEM configuration.

And there was no unsightly residue:



Fr. John†

[kyle L]

Looks good Fr. John.

[Safetrends]

Cool!

[onkyo]

The no cyclops look is superb.....

[ParisDakarBmw]

I wouldn't suggest taking a chissel to the crystal. I'd order a new slick one to fit it. That has nothing good to come from it. Simply get a new part!

[Rikki]

The other way is to take it off the watch remove gasket put it on a charcoal heating block and torch it up once the cyclop gets red hot it will pop off,takes about 10 seconds. let it cool down use a straight razor to remove any remaining glue. Then reinstall I do it all the time. Now if you have an aftermaket crystal it might fracture but a real one won't I have done hundreds of them. Rikki

[DarkHorse]

Originally Posted by Rikki

The other way is to take it off the watch remove gasket put it on a charcoal heating block and torch it up once the cyclop gets red hot it will pop off,takes about 10 seconds. let it cool down use a straight razor to remove any remaining glue. Then reinstall I do it all the time. Now if you have an aftermaket crystal it might fracture but a real one won't I have done hundreds of them. Rikki

Either that or you'll have a nice Rolex BBQ - either way you win :)

[donas]

Rik,

Thanks for the suggestion, that is a little outside my realm.....anything having to do with torch, red hot, and things of the like will not be associated with any of my watches, at least from my hands.

[WatchTimes]

Fr. John
You inspired me for my white Exp II
BUT
I went to my watchmaker and said that was just too much
drama (as I insisted on keeping the original crystal as well)
so he just installed a Daytona service crystal :) Did not know
they were the same size but works perfect, passed all pressure tests
and all....

I do not know if it would work on other models but something to consider.

[jmsrolls]

Torches and chisels don't appeal to me and my method was painless.

The total cost was <$180; the best money I ever spent.



The dial is more symmetrical and the date is legible from more angles. No more Rolex salute.

Fr. John†

[Damavand]

Wade,

Here's a picture of my Sub date with no Cyclops...

I removed mine with placing the tip of my soldering gun on Cyclopes for 10 second intervals and tried to dislodge the Cyclopes with a heavy duty plastic knife...it only took less than five minutes and the Cyclopes eventually came right off...If you do this, just make sure that you have a "mineral Crystal" not an acrylic one...

Without Cyclopes, my sub looks as good as the no date but with needed date..!!! ...best of the both wolds in one....

[Jocke]

Here is how it looks when I try that on one of my DateJust´s.

I start with my cyclop remover kit.



Pull it up in my full size Bergeon case holder.



And start thr work.



Damn, Rolex have quality glue so I have to warm it up a bit.



Now I hope it will come off.



Ouups, not so good.



What do you think, did I have to change crystal? Or can it
be polished?



Jocke

[clubsta]

Why not just buy Rolex without a cyclops from the get go? SD, Daytona, Milgauss...you have so many choices???

[Thai]

Jocke...that's great!! Good job...it will just buff right out i think!

[donas]

Originally Posted by clubsta

Why not just buy Rolex without a cyclops from the get go? SD, Daytona, Milgauss...you have so many choices???

Well, for two reasons #1 the get go is gone, I have a cyclops (actually two). #2 I obviously don't care for the watch styles without the cyclops, as I spent thousands on other styles watches.

[ParisDakarBmw]

Jocke, Everything seems to be going just fine here. The crystal will need a light polish at the end, but don't stop just yet. There seems to be a bit of the cyclops on the crystal. The next step is to carefully drill the discolored area out. You can figure out the bit needed by the size of your crystal. Once you remove the excess fill the low area with a bonding compound. You'll be admiring it tonight at dinner!

[Fredke]

Great job, jocke! Are you working on plastic surgery?

[republik-of-mancunia]

Hi

Not sure which model GMT you refer to, but I'd be careful with the GMT IIc:

From what I understand (but I have been known to be wrong....! ) there is an antireflective coating underneath the cyclops on the new models, on the inside of the crystal. The coating is the same shape as the cyclops. So, when the cyclops is removed, its "footprint" (for want of a better word) remains, and might look a bit odd/ugly to some...

I found a picture of this on the web somewhere sometime ago when I was thinking of removing the cyclops on my GMT IIc. I'll try and find it again.

[republik-of-mancunia]

check here:

http://www.minus4plus6.com/116710.htm

and here:

http://www.minus4plus6.com/images/11...MTmaster06.jpg

[Safetrends]

Jocke I never get tired of that thread of yours.

:r ofl:

[Alcan]

Charles N, a member here and moderator over at TZ, removed the cylops from both his Datejust and platinum Day-Date using a small, sharp blade and a tap from a small hammer. Popped right off. They ended up looking like his pix below.

I think he eventually decided he didn't like the look, and had the crystals replaced.

Here are a couple of other related threads:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ight=Charles+N

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ight=Charles+N

[Safetrends]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Charles N, a member here and moderator over at TZ, removed the cylops from both his Datejust and platinum Day-Date using a small, sharp blade and a tap from a small hammer. Popped right off. They ended up looking like his pix below.

I think he eventually decided he didn't like the look, and had the crystals replaced.

Here are a couple of other related threads:

I like how both are the same time. sitting side by side, that is a nice photo shoot.

[snow_rocks]

Having no cyclops will increase clearance for desk diving!