AD offered to replace crystal to anti reflective crystal for free. Should I?

[jdp12199]

I was talking to my AD about the anti reflective coating on crystals and she said my GMT purchased in Jan of 2022 did not have it but she would replace the crystal for free if I wanted it since the newer production ones have it.

She also showed me a new GMT and I really couldn't see that much of a difference. May have been because we were inside and not in the sun.

Is it worth having my watch opened up to replace the crystal? Any thoughts?

[OrangeSport]

No

[GBD]

Absolutely, yes. I'd do that in a heartbeat during service. AR makes the dial so much easier to read.

[TswaneNguni]

No

[WatchGuy1966]

Absolutely yes, esp on a dark dial. Fingerprints and smudges won't be so prevalent

[padi56]

Originally Posted by jdp12199

I was talking to my AD about the anti reflective coating on crystals and she said my GMT purchased in Jan of 2022 did not have it but she would replace the crystal for free if I wanted it since the newer production ones have it.

She also showed me a new GMT and I really couldn't see that much of a difference. May have been because we were inside and not in the sun.

Is it worth having my watch opened up to replace the crystal? Any thoughts?

Well by your own statement you could not see any difference so no point in doing it.

[2nastie]

No need to do this now. If you want it later, you can always have it updated during a service.

Won't open up a watch for something so minor like this.

[rambo99]

yes. why not? its free and a new crystal with AR is not cheap.
look at the reflection on my chocolate daytona, should be more sexy with a AR crystal.

[TheVTCGuy]

Yes

[HJZS2K]

I would not. Sure it's nice but when I haven't wore an AR coated watch for a bit I really forget the difference it makes. I've never had it bother me in legibility that I could not address by turning my wrist just ever so slightly.

[jb335]

I would. I love this feature on my 12 series LV


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[fskywalker]

Yes


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[Mendota]

I would. Just ask them to please squirt an extra puff of air before they case everything back up to triple make sure there aren't any dust particles that sneak in there. That's really your only risk. You didn't notice it because of exactly how you described your lighting conditions to be. It will be night and day noticeable out in natural light and at angles.

I wouldn't pay money out of my own pocket for something so minor and if I had to I would just wait until routine service when you'll get it anyway. Since it's free now, there's no reason not to (other than the slight risk of a stray dust particle or two).

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy1966

Absolutely yes, esp on a dark dial. Fingerprints and smudges won't be so prevalent

I thought it was the opposite: You see more of them because there isn't so much glare to hide them.

[JRell]

Interesting, think I am in the same boat. Reached out to my AD to see if this is an option. Not sure I would do it or not, I like it on my sub 41, but don’t really mind it much either way on my GMT.

[Harry-57]

I've never considered the non AR Rolex models to be handicapped but if offered AR I would take it.

[173rdabn]

I would do it. It really improves legibility.

[xjeeunitx]

would prefer to keep it original

[joli160]

No, the glare for not having AR is an asset.

[hlash99]

if the glare bothers you it's worth doing, otherwise wait till you need service

[Gab27]

I would not have a watch opened up and worked on for that, personally.

My Breitling has a double AR and it definitely is easier to read off axis and in bright light, but this isn't something I personally think is that critical.

That said, if you despise the glare, go for it.

[inadeje]

It could be my eyesight, but I frankly can’t tell when a watch has it or it doesn’t. I own with and without, yet no discernible difference in my humble view. Sometimes there’s that blueish hue from certain angles on certain brands, but that’s about it..

[JRell]

Originally Posted by xjeeunitx

would prefer to keep it original

This is the biggest reason I would not. For the minor improvement it is not worth messing with. I really can’t tell that much of a difference between my sub 41 and gmt. I asked my wife and she continues to think I am nuts!

[HJZS2K]

Lol. Mine says the same, but then again she asks also why I have 3 of the same watch because apparently the colors doesnt make a difference. I then ask her why she has so many shoes. It's not a conversation you should have...

[Golfbone]

I would definitely do it. I love the AR coating on my new Sub. I which all my watches had it.

[DonLee]

It's free, of course do it if you want a better watch.

I remember the moment I realised Rolex didn't have AR, I was upset. Like, how can the "crown" of watch makers cheap out on this? The answer was, because a watch without AR looks more bling in the sun/stage lights. For me that's a definite turn off

If you want a more flashy watch and don't care how difficult it is to read, then don't change it.

[Maxy]

easy yes!

[77T]

Noticing free is not always “free” can be a hard thing to learn.

The risk you take is they botch the job, or scratch up your case/bracelet/clasp, or another unexpected outcome.

Then there is the warranty issue - an AD swapping crystals could become a nightmare (unless that AD is a Rolex certified servicing center). Not all ADs are certified.

As Peter said, if you can’t see a difference, perhaps not worth the cost of a risk that turns into fact.


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[trickydicky]

Does it make the watch unoriginal in terms of needing to declare it when selling? Will anyone ever know? Is it described in the paperwork or for that watch model? If it was about to have the AR as an update, was it the same model number anyway? I like the reflective surface of my sub, as it makes the watch look shiny and pristine. On art frames, AR can be a bit dulling of the image and a bit of a compromise but i assume it is not that matte on a watch crystal.

[amanbra]

I really like the AR coating but there is no way I’d have a new watch opened up for this. Wait until your service.