Cyclops and date box alignment - common issue?

[brookca]

Hello All - There has been a handful of posts within the past few months surrounding what seems to be a fairly common issue regarding the cyclops not being perfectly aligned with the date box on several models - Submariner, GMT, etc. I'm curious - how common is this? Many of the responses seem to indicate that it's fairly common for the cyclops to be "off" just a bit. Several posts have discussed sending the watch back to Rolex/AD in order to have the crystal/cylops removed and better aligned, while several have warned against doing this due to the potential to create other issues (dust on dial, gasget issues, etc. etc).

What are your thoughts - Is this a fairly common issue? Would you just accept this as a common issue and/or have the watch sent back to Rolex to correct?

I appreciate your feedback - hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.

[padi56]

Well most certainly its not common, but as Rolex watches are mass produced, and they produce around 900000 watches a year.And out of those say around 500000 will have the cyclops stuck on the crystal. There will be a few that could be very very very very slightly misaligned within a cats whisker or two.

[STEELINOX]

I have seen a few date apertures with the cyclops not in alignment, its not a common occurance.

The sapphires are 're-mountable' but should be aligned by a tech with the right tools/adhesives.

The acrylics are a different story...

[Jocke]

It took me a few weeks before I notice it.

[isap63]

Hahaha...that is too funny Jocke . By the way, nice picture as always :)

[Route 66]

Originally Posted by Jocke

It took me a few weeks before I notice it.

"A few weeks"...Jocke, you're a funny guy!

[PJS500]

If you put your eye directly over the cyclops and look down the cyclops is off a bit. But that is not how you look at your watch. The watch is designed for the left hand. If you look down at your watch on your left arm it is centered because you are looking at a slight angle. It is designed for how it is used.

[brookca]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Would Rolex/AD have to remove the crystal to re-align the cyclops, or simply remove and adjust the cyclops?

Thanks again -

[brookca]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Any others out there who have a sub (or any model) where the cyclops isn't exactly even/parallel with the date box? It's not overly noticeable, unless I really take the time to line up the edge of the cyclops with the top or bottom edge of the white date box.

Any others out there have this same issue? Should I just accept/live w/ it?

Thanks again -

[Eric88]

Originally Posted by brookca

Thanks for the feedback guys. Would Rolex/AD have to remove the crystal to re-align the cyclops, or simply remove and adjust the cyclops?

Thanks again -

Removing the cyclops seems like the most invasive way to fix this. I've heard stories of using acetane to remove the cyclops as well as hammers and chisels. If I was asking Rolex to fix an alignment issue, I'd hope they would supply a new crystal/cyclops or just align the existing crystal/cyclops vs. trying to remove the cyclops bubble and re-glue it.

Originally Posted by brookca

Thanks for the feedback guys. Any others out there who have a sub (or any model) where the cyclops isn't exactly even/parallel with the date box? It's not overly noticeable, unless I really take the time to line up the edge of the cyclops with the top or bottom edge of the white date box.

Any others out there have this same issue? Should I just accept/live w/ it?

Thanks again -

I've never had the issue with numerous Rolex watches. I think I'd probably just live with it until the watch needs a service. Then you get it serviced and ask for them to fix the cyclops alignment along with the service.

[r00t]

Originally Posted by brookca

Thanks for the feedback guys. Any others out there who have a sub (or any model) where the cyclops isn't exactly even/parallel with the date box? It's not overly noticeable, unless I really take the time to line up the edge of the cyclops with the top or bottom edge of the white date box.

Any others out there have this same issue? Should I just accept/live w/ it?

Thanks again -

Can you take a photo of your cyclope? With date straight at center of cyclope lens.

[snog]

this thread might help

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=127434

[brookca]

Thanks Snog - appreciate you mentioning this related post.

Surprising how common this issue seems based on posts from others who have a similar issue. I was suprised myself, but clearly many others have noticed this same thing with the cyclops on their watches.

I think I'm just going to stop focussing on it and move on.....I really don't want to send the watch in for fear of creating other potential issues if I have the watch worked on.

Thanks -

[snog]

np,if it's bothering you then I would get Rolex to fix it,they made the watch, I'm sure it will be safe in their hands and come back like new,it can be hard not to notice the problem once you know it's there.

[r00t]

My thoughts about this issue.

1) This is quite common. But most of people dont even notice this. I notice this only when read topic here... ;)

2) There no easy way to fix it - in most cases you need change crystal or remove it and press into case again.

3) This no way affects legibility, reliability, accuracy of waterproof quality of watch.

4) Nobody can guarantee that replacement crystal cyclope will be dead straight against crystal. And watchmaker can position crystal dead straight against the case.

5) When replacement of crystal done by AD or local regional rolex service center, there is no 100% guarantee that they do not put some dust particle or smudge under the crystal. They just don't have conditions and equipment like on factory.

A think better way is relax and wait for the month or so and if it bother you too much all that time - try to replace, if not - replace it by next service. They need to disassemble watch anyway for service and you get fresh crystal without scratches after that.

But i really hate Rolex for this! It's 21' century now! Computers, robots and so on... And they cant just put this small glass straight... If only they do this by hand?

[brookca]

Thanks again - useful feedback from all.

Thanks

[brookca]

Thanks again - useful feedback from all. Anyone else have this issue with their cyclops being slightly mis-aligned from the date box?

Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving.

[rdb8879]

Brookca,
Being a newbie and first time owner of the Sub-C, I had to check mine out. See I got mine for Christmas, but I can't have it until then. I did sneak around and take a look though. It does seem to be a "hair" off when magnified, or maybe I'm just a hair off, LOL. I also think the angle of the view has alot to do with it as well. I am pleased, do you have a picture of it?

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/9929/dsc4692.jpg
Thanks

[brookca]

Hi Roger - The picture of your cyclops (and date box) perfectly represent the issue that I'm referring to with mine. I have decided to just accept it, as oppossed to trying to have Rolex better align the cyclops. I just am reluctant to do so for fear of creating other potentially bigger issues (dust on the dial, etc). Over the past few days, this has bothered me less and less. It is odd that there seems to be so many out there that have this slight mis-alignment - o well, guess it's the sing of a hand made watch :)

Any others out there that have a slightly mis-aligned cyclops - posts some pictuers so that we can all feel better.

Have a good weekend

[Shade]

I wouldn't come to a point and say they are common, but they do happen..

[Paracentesis]

What I don't understand is how anyone can buy a Rolex with a misaligned cyclops (unless bought online). Don't you look at the watch before paying?

[r00t]

Originally Posted by Paracentesis

What I don't understand is how anyone can buy a Rolex with a misaligned cyclops (unless bought online). Don't you look at the watch before paying?

I look with 10x loupe. but... To spot this - you need to look with knowing about this issue.

Or just read TRF and find this after you was totally happy with purchase...

[r00t]

What you think about this cyclope position?

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by r00t

What you think about this cyclope position?

That is what happend if you polish the cyclop with a Lange cloth.

Just use what is made for the watch.

[Ck8]

Originally Posted by r00t

What you think about this cyclope position?

You need 20x loupe!

[r00t]

[rdb8879]

r00t,
Your date\cyclops looks identical to mine. I've had mine about 2 weeks. I emailed my AD with my pix. We shall see what he says.

[r00t]

Originally Posted by rdb8879

r00t,
Your date\cyclops looks identical to mine. I've had mine about 2 weeks. I emailed my AD with my pix. We shall see what he says.

Any news from your AD?

[rdb8879]

I emailed my AD the pix and not much was said about the picture itself.
I had a choice of 3 options:
1. Have the local AD fix it
2. Send it in to RSC and have it fixed
3. AD would just replace the watch since it was in the 30 day window
When I bought the watch, my AD added an additional 3 years warranty for free. The AD did say that the cyclops can appear "not square" due to the magnification. I have looked at that DANG datebox a million times since. Now I don't have a clue if it is crooked or not!, LOL If I tilt or turn my wrist slightly I can "align\square it up" What's to say my wrist is "square"? Nevertheless for piece of mind I am gonna swap the watch and never use a loupe again! Awesome customer service from my AD in FL!
As someone's signature reads on here "It's just a watch, wear it"

[r00t]

Rdb8879, please post answer here.