Is there a source for un-etched Rolex sapphire crystals?

[eelpie]

I need a crystal for my 1974 1530 Oyster Perpetual Date, and I'd prefer a crystal from the period before they etched the coronet at 6 o'clock . . .

[Keeperoftime]

I'm sure there are some left-overs.

A new etched crystal will most likely (not that this is the issue...) help the value.

[Ironstark]

Only Sapphire crystals are etched. A 1530 case will be a plexi.

[eelpie]

Originally Posted by Ironstark

Only Sapphire crystals are etched. A 1530 case will be a plexi.

According to the sources I've seen, the Rolex Ref. 1530 Oyster Perpetual Date (with integrated bracelet) from 1974 was the first mechanical Rolex offered with a sapphire crystal.

The watch has a Calibre 1570 chronometer movement, but I believe you're thinking about the Calibre 1530 movement, and not the Ref. 1530 watch, a relative rarity with as few as 500 and as many as 1500 produced.

[Ironstark]

I am not just thinking of 1530 movements only.I have worked for Rolex for 20 years and I have never herd of or seen a 1530/60/70 calibre movement etc... in a case with a sapphire crystal.
Sapphire crystals were first introduced in production Rolex models during the production run of 3035/55/75/85 movements. Not all 3035 etc... movements were installed in cases with Sapphire crystals either. These were introduced well into the production run of the 3035 calibre line.

[eelpie]

Originally Posted by Ironstark

I am not just thinking of 1530 movements only. I have worked for Rolex for 20 years and I have never herd (sic) of or seen a 1530/60/70 calibre movement etc... in a case with a sapphire crystal.

Sapphire crystals were first introduced in production Rolex models during the production run of 3035/55/75/85 movements. Not all 3035 etc... movements were installed in cases with Sapphire crystals either. These were introduced well into the production run of the 3035 calibre line.

I have communicated with James Dowling, who wrote the book on Rolexes, and he says, "The 1530 was only ever made with a sapphire crystal, in fact it is the only watch that Rolex ever made which uses both a 15XX movement and a sapphire crystal."

In addition, I spoke with Rolex in New York who also confirmed the crystal for my watch should be sapphire, and that the correct non-etched part is available from Dallas or New York.

The number of Ref. 1530 Oyster Perpetual Date watches manufactured is estimated, dependent on the source, to between 500 and 1500 pieces. It may have had a limited production run, but it was a production watch.

So, it would appear that my Ref. 1530 with the Calibre 1570 is correct, down to the 96660 bracelet, and all that I need do is get the non-etched crystal through my Rolex dealer / watchmaker . . .

[greekbum]

I have owned more of these than I can remember and yes they had sapphire crystals. See below
Also from the Rolex R20 book the part numbers etc you will need.
It takes the same crystal from a modern sapphire datejust

[eelpie]

. . . from an article on another site detailing the history of sapphire crystals on Rolex watches.

The second one is a revelation, pointing out not only that my 1530 takes a sapphire crystal, but providing the part number as well. My watchmaker should have it ordered by mid-day on Monday.

I should point out that despite the possible impression that Rolex USA is some sort of faceless monolith, the help I received from them was really quite astonishing, especially when you consider that I started looking for answers from them at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon.

When an e-mail to their PR person at the factory in Genève bounced, I called New York for a better e-mail address. Not only did I get the communication matter dealt with quickly, but the staff in New York asked if they could help with my query.

In less that 20 minutes I had the information that I needed about my watch, as well as the in-sight that the original crystal was still available. This may not be a matter of consequence to everyone, but I like to know that when I've bought a product, the manufacturer is not going to ignore me, or treat me shabbily should the product need service, or if I have a simple question.

Some of the Swiss manufacturers (are you listening, LVMH?) could learn a lesson from Rolex on this score . . .

[Ironstark]

Having trawled my memory (and having it jogged by the pictures and not having an R20 next to me all the time!!) I was wrong, I have seen one but only one of these before. When it came in for servicing it had quite a few people scratching their heads. We were informed these were produced prior to the Oyster quartz as a "test run" to guage response to the design. A rare watch.

[Jackxv]

I even believe the new service crystals are unmarked now (instead of the crown with a "S" in the mouth of the coronet)

Jack

[eelpie]

. . . the correct crystal is 25-295-CY1.

Would there be a difference between the 25-295-CY1 and the 25-295-C1 as shown above in the R20?

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by eelpie

I should point out that despite the possible impression that Rolex USA is some sort of faceless monolith, the help I received from them was really quite astonishing, especially when you consider that I started looking for answers from them at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon.

When an e-mail to their PR person at the factory in Genève bounced, I called New York for a better e-mail address. Not only did I get the communication matter dealt with quickly, but the staff in New York asked if they could help with my query.

I found the same thing once you get to a manager. Before that it can be an unpleasant experience.
Were you talking to the service manager?

[eelpie]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

I found the same thing once you get to a manager. Before that it can be an unpleasant experience.

Were you talking to the service manager?

I found the entire experience positive, but yes, I did speak directly to the Service Manager about the availability of the non-etched crystal . . .