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Old 30 May 2014, 05:03 PM   #1
007Sub
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Top hat crystal on 1680s

So iv been really getting more and more into the 1680 lately. Particularly the red subs. But one thing that is hard for me to get past is the top hot crystal. Does anyone else find how high it stands above the bezel bothersome? Iv seen a few superdomes and I think they look amazing. But I'm curious to get other people's impressions. Top hat; Yay or nay?


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Old 30 May 2014, 05:11 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 007Sub View Post
So iv been really getting more and more into the 1680 lately. Particularly the red subs. But one thing that is hard for me to get past is the top hot crystal. Does anyone else find how high it stands above the bezel bothersome? Iv seen a few superdomes and I think they look amazing. But I'm curious to get other people's impressions. Top hat; Yay or nay?


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Hi buddy.

Yay! Top hat has a diff look from domes, infact I like it

Especially those old version with small bevel at the top..



U could still track them down at half a price of nos superdome t19 & 39

Waiting for yr red

Cheers!
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Old 30 May 2014, 05:26 PM   #3
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It took me a while to appreciate a nice top hat crystal. However, I now think that it is one of the most beautiful aspects of a 1680. The way the crystal edge catches the light is really wonderful thing. It transmits light like a prism in many instances, and you get a nice rainbow effect. You won't ever see this same phenomena with a sapphire crystal. Truly beautiful
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Old 30 May 2014, 05:54 PM   #4
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The top hat is part of what makes the 1680. Yes you are aware of its hight at first then you get used to it, and factor it in. Makes the 16800 look very flat
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Old 30 May 2014, 06:56 PM   #5
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Essential to that model IMHO. Looks great.


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Old 30 May 2014, 07:08 PM   #6
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Love it.
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Old 31 May 2014, 12:10 AM   #7
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Love my top hat
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Old 31 May 2014, 12:14 AM   #8
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prefer the dome look , but the little chamfer looks great
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Old 31 May 2014, 01:44 AM   #9
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Super dome? Top hat? Different animals but both so beautiful. I rotate depending on my mood. And I'm puttin' on the top hat today!
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Old 31 May 2014, 02:53 AM   #10
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Super dome? Top hat? Different animals but both so beautiful. I rotate depending on my mood. And I'm puttin' on the top hat today!
X's 2! Love them both. One of the reasons each Sub model is so unique.
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Old 31 May 2014, 03:07 AM   #11
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Especially those old version with small bevel at the top..
Isn't that the replacement service crystal??
Square top hat is the proper original one? Happy to be corrected.

I had similar doubts but when I got my 1680 I instantly saw the beauty of the top hat and makes it stand out from the other Subs beautifully.
Here is mine.


IMG_2879 by snapper seven, on Flickr

Cheers
SS
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Old 31 May 2014, 04:22 AM   #12
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[QUOTE=Ben39;4993270]Hi buddy.

Yay! Top hat has a diff look from domes, infact I like it

Especially those old version with small bevel at the top..



U could still track them down at half a price of nos superdome t19 & 39

Waiting for yr red


Ben you sure know how to select excellent examples my friend!

I can see myself getting more into the top hats... but for not they just look awkward to me. I'm still a superdome guy but I can't stop looking at Red subs lately... oh no... dangerous! Watch I end up selling my 5513 for a red sub
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Old 31 May 2014, 04:45 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snapper7 View Post
Isn't that the replacement service crystal??
Square top hat is the proper original one? Happy to be corrected.

I had similar doubts but when I got my 1680 I instantly saw the beauty of the top hat and makes it stand out from the other Subs beautifully.
Here is mine.


IMG_2879 by snapper seven, on Flickr

Cheers
SS
Old vs new



Mate, Mine is like the top one. Small bevel on top of the the crystal





Sometimes it don't show up in certain angles of pics...

Cheers
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Old 31 May 2014, 04:49 AM   #14
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[QUOTE=007Sub;4994508]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben39 View Post
Hi buddy.

Yay! Top hat has a diff look from domes, infact I like it

Especially those old version with small bevel at the top..



U could still track them down at half a price of nos superdome t19 & 39

Waiting for yr red


Ben you sure know how to select excellent examples my friend!

I can see myself getting more into the top hats... but for not they just look awkward to me. I'm still a superdome guy but I can't stop looking at Red subs lately... oh no... dangerous! Watch I end up selling my 5513 for a red sub
Greg, keep ur maxi and buy a red

Can't wait to see u scores buddy

Hagwe!
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Old 31 May 2014, 05:38 AM   #15
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Top hat followed by matte dial, love them



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Old 31 May 2014, 05:43 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason71 View Post
It took me a while to appreciate a nice top hat crystal. However, I now think that it is one of the most beautiful aspects of a 1680. The way the crystal edge catches the light is really wonderful thing. It transmits light like a prism in many instances, and you get a nice rainbow effect. You won't ever see this same phenomena with a sapphire crystal. Truly beautiful
This sums it up perfectly
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Old 31 May 2014, 05:58 AM   #17
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Old vs new



Mate, Mine is like the top one. Small bevel on top of the the crystal





Sometimes it don't show up in certain angles of pics...

Cheers
OK I see what you mean. I see the top one as having no bezel i.e. squared edge, rather than small but the later ones having a large bezel.
Either way I agree...old is best!

Cheers
SS

ps fabulous lugs and tanned markers you have there!
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Old 31 May 2014, 06:07 AM   #18
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what's not to love about a top hat...

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Old 31 May 2014, 06:09 AM   #19
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I used to not like the top hat crystals. I've had several 1680s and I used to replace the crystal with a super dome. Now, the top hats have grown on me and I really like them. I think it's interesting what Rolex did with the crystal to make the watch water resistant.

1680 w/ Super Dome:



With Top Hat:

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Old 31 May 2014, 07:04 AM   #20
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OK I see what you mean. I see the top one as having no bezel i.e. squared edge, rather than small but the later ones having a large bezel.
Either way I agree...old is best!

Cheers
SS

ps fabulous lugs and tanned markers you have there!



The older ones have a very small bevel on the edge while the service replacements have a larger bevel
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Old 31 May 2014, 08:13 AM   #21
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I used to not like the top hat crystals. I've had several 1680s and I used to replace the crystal with a super dome. Now, the top hats have grown on me and I really like them. I think it's interesting what Rolex did with the crystal to make the watch water resistant.

1680 w/ Super Dome:



With Top Hat:

Just love that superdome... which one is that a T39?
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Old 31 May 2014, 08:13 AM   #22
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what's not to love about a top hat...

Nice Mk1!
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Old 31 May 2014, 08:14 AM   #23
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[QUOTE=Ben39;4994561]
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Greg, keep ur maxi and buy a red

Can't wait to see u scores buddy

Hagwe!

haha thanks Ben! If I do that, it will take me a lot longer to acquire the red... maybe it will be worth it though. Still waiting on the maxi to get back from servicing. Can't wait to see how it comes out!
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Old 31 May 2014, 09:23 AM   #24
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One of the great things about a top hat is that it sits up higher which helps protect the insert from scratches.
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Old 31 May 2014, 10:43 AM   #25
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One of the great things about a top hat is that it sits up higher which helps protect the insert from scratches.

Good point!


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Old 31 May 2014, 05:08 PM   #26
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Is it possible to get the older top hats with the smaller bevel?
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Old 1 June 2014, 12:38 AM   #27
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tophat2.jpg

tophat3.jpg
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Old 1 June 2014, 12:49 AM   #28
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Top Hat is one of the coolest things about the 1680.
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Old 1 June 2014, 02:28 AM   #29
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top hat is awesome:
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Old 1 June 2014, 02:55 AM   #30
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Nice Mk1!
Sharp eye !
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