The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

View Poll Results: Should Rolex add AR to their crystals?
Blasphemy! Keep it non-AR all the way! 17 30.91%
AR would look nice and they should give it a shot. 38 69.09%
Voters: 55. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 18 September 2010, 01:52 PM   #1
Eric88
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 88 keys
Posts: 2,241
Should Rolex introduce AR crystals?

I've seen a number of comments from folks that wish Rolex had AR on the underside or even both sides of the crystal like some other popular brands. Rolex seems to be unwilling to do this aside from a touch of AR under the cyclops for the newest watches.

For a long time, I questioned this as the lack of AR makes the dial of the watch less clear and even kind of dull in comparison to watches that have AR coating. But there is that "Rolex glisten" that causes the entire dial to look like ice when light catches it the right way. This may be the iconic appeal to the non-AR crystal that is somewhat specific to Rolex crystals (at least since they went to sapphire).

I proffer this photo as evidence of the ice effect (photo credit to GJ).



What do you think? Should Rolex stick to what they have or move to a fully or partial AR crystal?
Eric88 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 02:00 PM   #2
Art 1
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida, Canada
Watch: Rol/Seik/Tud/Omega
Posts: 30,244
No.
Art 1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 02:00 PM   #3
Speed
"TRF" Member
 
Speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 19,706
I would be happy with the AR on the Cyclops ala the GMTIIC

Love your photo Eric


Speed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 02:05 PM   #4
stockae92
2024 Pledge Member
 
stockae92's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Socal
Posts: 4,960
i really would like to see AR coating on the inside, i think its a step up :-)
stockae92 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 06:45 PM   #5
The GMT Master
"TRF" Member
 
The GMT Master's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Chris
Location: England
Posts: 8,150
I like the shine personally. I don't think it's something Rolex will consider either, I remember it being said that they think the prominent crystal is an integral part of their design ethos
The GMT Master is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 06:48 PM   #6
mike
"TRF" Member
 
mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 22,683
I notice it most on the DSSD at certain angles. I'd like to see it myself.
mike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 07:02 PM   #7
dalip
"TRF" Member
 
dalip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Real Name: Dalip
Location: Mumbai and Perth
Watch: Rolex PAM Omega
Posts: 18,656
Have to say that I really notice it on my PO...love what it does on that watch. For me it pulls attention away from the bezel....

And I like it not being on my rolex....

So...no to rolex doing it.
__________________



------------------------------------------------------------
"The liar's punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else." George Bernard Shaw
dalip is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 07:02 PM   #8
Colnago
"TRF" Member
 
Colnago's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Real Name: Bill Hart
Location: Richmond, NY, UK
Watch: Rlx=3, Tdr=3, Om=3
Posts: 3,053
I like the AR coating beneath the cyclops.....makes the date very easy to read....as for the rest of the crystal, I don't think it's really necessary.....I was through Heathrow a couple of weeks ago and as far as I could see all the new models on display (I mean all of them) appeared to have AR coating applied beneath the cyclops...maybe they've decided because it has been such a hit with the GMTIIc they've put it across the complete range???
__________________
Bill
"There's only three kinds of people in this world....those that can count....and those that can't"
TRF's "JJ's" Bar & NightClub Patron
Colnago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 07:08 PM   #9
dddrees
"TRF" Member
 
dddrees's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Real Name: Dan
Location: USA
Watch: This N That
Posts: 34,253
With the Cyclops, I can see that. However the Shine is something I really enjoy looking at.

KEEP THE SHINE!!!
__________________
When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion.

Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation.

Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of
Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons
dddrees is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 08:29 PM   #10
EchoBlueUK
"TRF" Member
 
EchoBlueUK's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 1,543
Definitly for the dssd.
EchoBlueUK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 08:31 PM   #11
Johny
"TRF" Member
 
Johny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Real Name: john
Location: Scotland
Watch: sub 16610Lv
Posts: 13,523
ar cyclops is fine with me.
__________________
"AFTER DARK" BAR AND NIGHT CLUB GM.
Johny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 08:49 PM   #12
Shade
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Real Name: Norman
Location: Jakarta
Watch: All of 'em..
Posts: 2,926
I don't mind with ar or no ar, but I do like the ar on the date window.
Shade is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 09:12 PM   #13
Fiery
"TRF" Member
 
Fiery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Europe
Watch: Sub-C 116610LN
Posts: 2,649
Quote:
Originally Posted by stockae92 View Post
i really would like to see AR coating on the inside, i think its a step up :-)
+1. But I'd say no for an outside AR coating.
Fiery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2010, 10:34 PM   #14
swish77
2024 Pledge Member
 
swish77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Aaron
Location: CT/NYC
Watch: ing the time!
Posts: 6,987
Absolutely not! The AR coating on the outside of a crystal scuffs quite easily (e.g. Breitlings, Omegas), and when you get those annoying scuffs, nicks, marks on the coating there is only one way to get rid of them: replace the crystal (very expensive) or remove all of the AR coating yourself with a Scotchbrite pad and Cape Cod cloth. With all the watch nuts out there (I'm one, too) who obsess over the smallest details and/or imperfections on watches, an AR coating is just one more thing to drive you crazy. Now, if it were only on the inside and protected, that might work.
swish77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2010, 12:58 AM   #15
robsteve
"TRF" Member
 
robsteve's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 776
I think AR would be just one more thing to scratch and detract from the value and appearance of the watch. Since it seems most of the posters here have dive watches, I don't think AR on the outside makes a difference underwater.

Robert
robsteve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2010, 01:14 AM   #16
notlostyet
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Real Name: roy
Location: sunny spain
Posts: 93
no i do not think they should because the the shine is iconic
notlostyet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2010, 01:19 AM   #17
Frogman4me
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maryland
Posts: 6,268
AR under the crystal should have been used years ago, I do agree on the outside is annoying to deal with but when you have double AR and it's fresh, the look is simply amazing!
Frogman4me is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2010, 01:38 AM   #18
jmsrolls
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 3,185
The early outside AR coating on the Omega Planet Ocean was susceptible to damage.

The improved coating on the PloProf and newer POs, including the Liquidmetal, is wonderful:



The AR coating under the Cyclops is an improvement but two-sided, full crystal would be better.

Fr. John†
jmsrolls is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2010, 01:51 AM   #19
D O C
"TRF" Member
 
D O C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: Jim
Location: US
Watch: Rolex 116710LN
Posts: 600
Yes, AR coatings have improved over the years. It really depends on WHO is doing the coatings. I know that Zeiss does AR coating for optical lenses and do an excellent, scratch resistent lens, the finest out there probably.

Here's a thought why don't someone have their crystal removed and go to an optical shop and have them send it in to have AR coating, then see out it looks in about 6 months. It would be an interesting experiment.
__________________
ROLEX 116710 LN GMTII "Random"
ROLEX 16710 GMTII Pepsi "P"
ROLEX 16622 SS/PL YM 29mm "V"

D O C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2010, 01:55 AM   #20
Gerardus
"TRF" Member
 
Gerardus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Real Name: Gerardus
Location: often in the air
Watch: ♕
Posts: 12,129
AR is okay for me.
__________________

♕126610 ♕126333 ♕116300
Gerardus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2010, 01:55 AM   #21
Art 1
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida, Canada
Watch: Rol/Seik/Tud/Omega
Posts: 30,244
Quote:
Originally Posted by notlostyet View Post
no i do not think they should because the the shine is iconic
Not only that it's the look Rolex is after. It's one of the few things Rolex has admitted to.
Art 1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2010, 01:59 AM   #22
gold canyon
"TRF" Member
 
gold canyon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southwest
Watch: R O L E X
Posts: 1,188
[QUOTE=D O C;2070258]Yes, AR coatings have improved over the years. It really depends on WHO is doing the coatings. I know that Zeiss does AR coating for optical lenses and do an excellent, scratch resistent lens, the finest out there probably.

Here's a thought why don't someone have their crystal removed and go to an optical shop and have them send it in to have AR coating, then see out it looks in about 6 months. It would be an interesting experiment.[/QUOTE

I very much like the AR coating under the cyclops on the GMT2C. I'm not comfortable with it on any outside surface. However, it would be interesting to see the AR coating on the underside of the crystal where it would be protected from normal/extreme daily wear potential scratches, etc. Just to see, that is. I like the watch just the way it is but the AR coating would be interesting.
gold canyon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2010, 02:01 AM   #23
esm
"TRF" Member
 
esm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Eric
Location: Location,Location
Watch: this, bro...
Posts: 15,340
mmm... why fix it if it aint broken.

so... no for me
esm is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

Asset Appeal

Wrist Aficionado

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.