Replacing acrylic crystal with sapphire

[irishlad58]

I am considering replacing the acrylic crystal on my 1974 DJ/TT with a sapphire crystal. Do most AD do this, is it worth it, or should I just have the plastic polished?
Will it hurt the value to do so?
Chris

[Tools]

An acrylic crystal cannot be replaced with a sapphire crystal. At least not truly successfully...They fit differently and water integrity may be compromised.

A Rolex AD will not do this, and the only manufacturers that offer "replacements" of this type are aftermarket..

Personally, I would either replace the acrylic with another acrylic if necessary, or have it polished.

[SLS]

It won't hurt the value at all, what may happen if you don't replace the crystal is water getting inside the case. Over time acrylic crystals develope stress fractures along the edge of the crystal where it is fitted inside the case, when this happens, your watch may no longer water tight. Even if you don't plan to swim with your watch, humidity can also play a factor, get the watch serviced & replace the crystal is my advice. Any qualified watchmaker can do this, if helps if they have a Rolex parts account.
~Scott

[Skutt50]

I have a DJ TT from the early 80:ies.

It had a sapphire crystal when I obtained it. I had it serviced early this year and the shop wanted to change the sapphire to an acrylic crystal. I refused but he called me on the day of delivery and said he had problems. The hands touched the crystal and I agreed to have an acrylic crystal installed. I got the sapphire crystal back so he did not do this to make any additional more money, rather the opposite and yes, the acrylic was included in the original price quoted.

There seems to be a problem with fitting the sapphire crystal on a case made for acrylic crystal.

[catman]

I have a DJ 16030 and did the sapphire crystal conversion and had it for a week and went back to the original acrylic crystal.
With the sapphire conversions the back side or interside of the sapphire crystal is concaved outward and flat on the outside and gives your watch a funny obscure look from any angle, I didn't like the look at all. Its because of the second hand heighth and case size they use this type system.
The case of the 16030 is different from all other cases that come with a sapphire crystal...I may be wrong on this, but my watchmaker is a retired authorized Rolex repairman from or local Rolex dealer, and I'm glad to have him as my neighbor for 5 years and a very knowledgeable man for sure, he said I wouldn't like it and he was right..

You won't like the look, believe me..

mLc

[johnsonwj]

Stay with the acrylic crystal, they look great. Get a new crystal, polywatch and fine grit sandpaper.

[TempoKing]

If you datejust has quick change and is acrylic you can replace it with sapphire.
Rolex will not do it.

[davidf]

I know this is an old thread, but i was told the sapphire isn't an issue with watertight-ness but yes, the hands will probably have to be bent downward a bit to clear the underside of the sapphire. This is just what I've been told, I'm about to try this with my 16013 DJ

[Tools]

Originally Posted by davidf

I know this is an old thread, but i was told the sapphire isn't an issue with watertight-ness but yes, the hands will probably have to be bent downward a bit to clear the underside of the sapphire. This is just what I've been told, I'm about to try this with my 16013 DJ

Sealing on the acrylic case is accomplished by the pressing of the bezel on, flexing the somewhat pliable acrylic in against the case ring..

Sapphire relies on a perfectly machined and stronger case-ring and seals with a press fit of the sapphire along with a nylon gasket... so, they are not compatible from a Rolex parts perspective...

You, of course, can do what you want, but I always advise to sell your old watch to somebody who wants one and get a modern model if sapphire appeals to you..

(not to all, this thread is 3 years old, so responding to the OP is futile)