The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Vintage Rolex Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 30 May 2014, 05:03 PM   #1
007Sub
"TRF" Member
 
007Sub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Greg
Location: USA
Watch: Milsub
Posts: 1,635
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?


Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk
__________________

@true_patina
@true.dome
007Sub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 May 2014, 05:11 PM   #2
Ben39
"TRF" Member
 
Ben39's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Real Name: Ben
Location: Asia
Watch: Gilt sub
Posts: 1,669
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?


Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk
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!
Ben39 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 May 2014, 05:26 PM   #3
Jason71
"TRF" Member
 
Jason71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Real Name: Jason
Location: USA
Watch: Rolex/Tudor Divers
Posts: 7,973
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
__________________
Best Regards,
Jason


Just Say "NO" to Polishing
Card-Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch Curmudgeons
LIfe is too short to wear inexpensive watches
PLEXI IS SEXY
Jason71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 05:43 AM   #4
stevedssd
"TRF" Member
 
stevedssd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 2,205
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
stevedssd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 03:07 AM   #5
Snapper7
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 34
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben39 View Post

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
Snapper7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 04:45 AM   #6
Ben39
"TRF" Member
 
Ben39's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Real Name: Ben
Location: Asia
Watch: Gilt sub
Posts: 1,669
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
Ben39 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 05:58 AM   #7
Snapper7
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 34
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben39 View Post
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!
Snapper7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 07:04 AM   #8
CrownMe
"TRF" Member
 
CrownMe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Real Name: Kevin
Location: Maryland
Watch: My Open 6
Posts: 3,433
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snapper7 View Post
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
CrownMe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 04:22 AM   #9
007Sub
"TRF" Member
 
007Sub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Greg
Location: USA
Watch: Milsub
Posts: 1,635
[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
__________________

@true_patina
@true.dome
007Sub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 04:49 AM   #10
Ben39
"TRF" Member
 
Ben39's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Real Name: Ben
Location: Asia
Watch: Gilt sub
Posts: 1,669
[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!
Ben39 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 08:14 AM   #11
007Sub
"TRF" Member
 
007Sub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Greg
Location: USA
Watch: Milsub
Posts: 1,635
[QUOTE=Ben39;4994561]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 007Sub View Post

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!
__________________

@true_patina
@true.dome
007Sub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 May 2014, 05:54 PM   #12
Swearengen
"TRF" Member
 
Swearengen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Gabriel
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,859
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
__________________

1680 1675 16800 16570 16710 17000 16613 17013

Gone but not forgotten 16610LV 1016
16234
Swearengen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 May 2014, 06:56 PM   #13
crowncollection
"TRF" Member
 
crowncollection's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: David
Location: australia
Posts: 20,216
Essential to that model IMHO. Looks great.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
__________________
watches many
crowncollection is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 May 2014, 07:08 PM   #14
Vincent65
"TRF" Member
 
Vincent65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 14,298
Love it.
Attached Images
 
Vincent65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 12:10 AM   #15
lhanddds
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
Watch: of course
Posts: 8,429
Love my top hat
lhanddds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 12:14 AM   #16
dysondiver
"TRF" Member
 
dysondiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: tom
Location: northern ireland
Watch: my fins
Posts: 10,063
prefer the dome look , but the little chamfer looks great
dysondiver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 01:44 AM   #17
swish77
2024 Pledge Member
 
swish77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Aaron
Location: CT/NYC
Watch: ing the time!
Posts: 6,999
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!
Attached Images
 
swish77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 02:53 AM   #18
Dr.Smellody
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 5,416
Quote:
Originally Posted by swish77 View Post
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.
Dr.Smellody is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 05:38 AM   #19
harrjaso
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2014
Real Name: Jason
Location: Hawaii, US
Watch: Daytona 6263
Posts: 537
Top hat followed by matte dial, love them



Sent from an iPhone on a secluded island
harrjaso is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 06:07 AM   #20
Robbyvm
"TRF" Member
 
Robbyvm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Belgium
Posts: 2,239
what's not to love about a top hat...

Robbyvm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 08:13 AM   #21
007Sub
"TRF" Member
 
007Sub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Greg
Location: USA
Watch: Milsub
Posts: 1,635
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robbyvm View Post
what's not to love about a top hat...

Nice Mk1!
__________________

@true_patina
@true.dome
007Sub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 June 2014, 02:55 AM   #22
Robbyvm
"TRF" Member
 
Robbyvm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Belgium
Posts: 2,239
Quote:
Originally Posted by 007Sub View Post
Nice Mk1!
Sharp eye !
Robbyvm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 June 2014, 08:35 AM   #23
007Sub
"TRF" Member
 
007Sub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Greg
Location: USA
Watch: Milsub
Posts: 1,635
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robbyvm View Post
Sharp eye !

Thanks mate! :)


Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk
__________________

@true_patina
@true.dome
007Sub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 06:09 AM   #24
660ft
"TRF" Member
 
660ft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: LA
Watch: 1680
Posts: 161
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:

660ft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 08:13 AM   #25
007Sub
"TRF" Member
 
007Sub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Greg
Location: USA
Watch: Milsub
Posts: 1,635
Quote:
Originally Posted by 660ft View Post
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?
__________________

@true_patina
@true.dome
007Sub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 09:23 AM   #26
CrownMe
"TRF" Member
 
CrownMe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Real Name: Kevin
Location: Maryland
Watch: My Open 6
Posts: 3,433
One of the great things about a top hat is that it sits up higher which helps protect the insert from scratches.
CrownMe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 10:43 AM   #27
007Sub
"TRF" Member
 
007Sub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Greg
Location: USA
Watch: Milsub
Posts: 1,635
Quote:
Originally Posted by CrownMe View Post
One of the great things about a top hat is that it sits up higher which helps protect the insert from scratches.

Good point!


Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk
__________________

@true_patina
@true.dome
007Sub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 May 2014, 05:08 PM   #28
bwood74
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: virginia
Posts: 58
Is it possible to get the older top hats with the smaller bevel?
bwood74 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 June 2014, 12:38 AM   #29
azguy
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: -------
Location: -------
Watch: ---------
Posts: 12,609
Name:  tophat2.jpg
Views: 639
Size:  44.6 KB

Name:  tophat3.jpg
Views: 641
Size:  60.2 KB
azguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 June 2014, 12:49 AM   #30
descartes
"TRF" Member
 
descartes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North Shore
Posts: 1,116
Top Hat is one of the coolest things about the 1680.
Attached Images
   
descartes is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches

Asset Appeal

Wrist Aficionado


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.