Crystal Etching

[Poohsan]

This is my fist official post!

Well I’m heart broken. I don’t think my Sub has a Micro Etched Crown on the crystal. I have examined it using multiple light sources from all angles and used a Nikon with a close up bellows to get extreme magnification. I have come to the conclusion that it is just not there. I have a Y series Date Sub. I guess it is possible that it pre dates the Micro Etching.

I'm going back to look again!

Arron

[BiG JeEzY]

Hello and welcome to TRF Arron!! Glad to have you aboard!

Your Sub is a Y series model which dates it back to around 2002/2003. Rolex started etching the crown on the crystal back in 2001. Your Sub should have the etching. Try shining a flashlight on the crystal through the 6 o clock position and see if it that might help you.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Poohsan

This is my fist official post!

Well I’m heart broken. I don’t think my Sub has a Micro Etched Crown on the crystal. I have examined it using multiple light sources from all angles and used a Nikon with a close up bellows to get extreme magnification. I have come to the conclusion that it is just not there. I have a Y series Date Sub. I guess it is possible that it pre dates the Micro Etching.

I'm going back to look again!

Arron

First Rolex started to introduce the crown etching mid to late
2001 but it did not find its self on all the most popular models till around early 2003.Its quite possible that your watch does not have the etching.But why worry if it don't, as long as you bought it from a reliable source you have nothing to worry about.

[BiG JeEzY]

Originally Posted by padi56

First Rolex started to introduce the crown etching mid to late
2001 but it did not find its self on all the most popular models till around early 2003.Its quite possible that your watch does not have the etching.But why worry if it don't, as long as you bought it from a reliable source you have nothing to worry about.

Yes Padi56 actually has a very good point. The etching gradually made its way through the line and by the time it was the Y series models, it may not have been on all watches yet. I apologize for not providing 100 percent accurate information.

[Poohsan]

I’m not worried about the watch being Authentic. I just really was hoping to find the etching as more of an Easter egg thing

-Arron

[Poohsan]

In the off chance that the watch was serviced were would I look for the service S?

[newsub]

I had a panic when I got my z series sd a month or so ago

I eventialy saw a tiny mark but could not make it out. the best way i found was to look from the 3 or 9 o'clock angle and in a light with no reflection on the glass.

I then tried a magnifying glass which helped.

Eventially to elay my parania, I took it to and AD who looked at it and confirmed it.

What I'm trying to say is, if you got it from an AD or reputable dealer the chances are its kosher if all else is correct, like the bezel and scew in in the crown.

hope this helps

[BiG JeEzY]

Originally Posted by Poohsan

In the off chance that the watch was serviced were would I look for the service S?

Is youre asking about service centers, there is a service center right by your vicinity. It is in Beverly Hills somewhere on Wilshire. That is where I sent my GMT Master to be serviced a couple years ago.

[frostie]

Good luck with finding it

[jac67]

Hello Arron and others

Just for the record, I bought a BRAND NEW YG Day-Date (118238) P Series from an AD in June 2001, and it HAS the etched crown on the crystal.


John.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Hi Arrron,

Welcome to TRF!

Your Y-series might now have the laser etched crystal, since some Rolex first got it later.

But you CAN get the laser etched crystal by actually having put a NEW crystal on it. Then this new crystal would have the laser etched crown on the crystal and have an "S" inside the base of the crown standing for "Service".

I for my part would NOT have the crystal exchanged, since it does not really NEED "service" and if you sell your watch later on, some buyers wouldn't like that "serviced" crystal.

But - as I say - IF you want the laser etched crown, you CAN have it

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by Poohsan

In the off chance that the watch was serviced were would I look for the service S?

Right here in the base of the coronet. My 1992 N serial TT Sub has it after a crystal replacement during service last year.

[steve-o]

It is VERY hard to see with the unaided eye.

[frostie]

Once i saw a replica from close and you can see it really easy. In the genuine watches it's hard to see the crystal etching.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by frostie

Once i saw a replica from close and you can see it really easy. In the genuine watches it's hard to see the crystal etching.

And here's a link to show it:

http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/rolex_or_replica.html

(scroll a bit down).

[frostie]

Thanks a lot bo for the link.

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by frostie

Once i saw a replica from close and you can see it really easy. In the genuine watches it's hard to see the crystal etching.

Yes, I've seen pix of a few of those. Pretty obvious. I had to take my Sub back to my AD and use their double eyepiece loupe to find the coronet on mine. Maybe these old eyeballs are wearing out.

[frostie]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Yes, I've seen pix of a few of those. Pretty obvious. I had to take my Sub back to my AD and use their double eyepiece loupe to find the coronet on mine. Maybe these old eyeballs are wearing out.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by frostie

Thanks a lot bo for the link.

No problem!

BTW: That site is also where you can buy the book about Fake Rolex watches:

"The Rolex Report"

You probably have that book, I guess, but anyway that is where to get it from, and you can ask the site owner, the author, to sign the book (he did that for me)

[frostie]

I didn't knew that he can sign the book

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by frostie

I didn't knew that he can sign the book

Well, there's nothing special about it. I just ordered the book and asked if you would sign it for me. Never met the guy.

Anyway, it is a cool site with lots of nice info

[Tools]

Pooh,

Welcome to TRF Pooh.

As others have said, your Y series may not have been fitted with an etched crystal. Also, if it had been serviced it would have one now.

However, it can be a devil to find. Remember the focus point is above the dial face and slightly below the crystal face. So when you get one in focus, everything else may be just slightly out of focus.

Send it in for a service and they will replace it for you, and you will have a cool S crown etching like Al showed..

[jbradley02]

I could not see mine, but took it to a jeweler friend of mine, who used a loupe I think that is what is called, and he spotted it and I did not tell him what I was looking for, then he showed it to me, would have never seen it with my eye sight