Adding a Cyclops to a "666" Seadweller - Video

[RolexPete]

I picked up a 1983 Seadweller model 16660 last week or so that had been totally upgraded by Rolex with new dial, hands, crystal and bezel.

I love the watch, but not being able to see the date was killing me. My 47 year old eyes just can't do it, and I do not need/have/want glasses yet.

I bought a sapphire cyclops and some UV crystal glue and did what many here consider to be taboo. I glued that sucker right over the date on my Seadweller.

I see the date now, and since I plan on keeping this for life, and my eyes will only get worse, I am happy i did it. Won't take too much to take it off in the future.

Video is here: (WARNING: Some contents may be unsuitable for vintage purists and anyone else that thinks Rolex watches should never be messed with)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2L9VhmC7yk

[RichM]

Well done Peter. Thanks for sharing.

[ratty]

Looks good

Now I would like to see a Sub date without the cyclops.

Was there a reason for you doing this rather than getting a Sub date?

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by ratty

Looks good

Now I would like to see a Sub date without the cyclops.

Was there a reason for you doing this rather than getting a Sub date?

I like the SD better...and everyone and their mother has a Sub Date. And if/when I remove the cyclops, it is an SD again.

[Samui]

Well clearly you do need the glasses. I would get them. Also I thought the cyclops is not made of sapphire.

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by Samui

Well clearly you do need the glasses. I would get them. Also I thought the cyclops is not made of sapphire.

You obviously either a. do not own a Seadweller or have not looked at the date on it, or b. are a 21 year old lad with super vision.

The cyclops I bought says it is white sapphire.

[RolexPete]

[garyfromleeds]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

Your watch , your call , if you love it that's all that matters ! You've customed it to suit your needs rather than a vanity custom like adding bling etc .

You've done a great job and you can see the date clear as day spot on my friend

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

I love the watch, but not being able to see the date was killing me. My 47 year old eyes just can't do it, and I do not need/have/want glasses yet.

I'm glad you solved the date problem on your SD, but if you can't see the date on your watch, what other things are you not able to see and appreciate in your life?

Bite the bullet and get a pair of progressive lenses, even if the distance correction is plano.

It'll take some getting used to, but it will be a good move, because it won't be long before the cyclops just won't do it either.

Also, when the rest of your vision starts to go south you'll have already adapted the progressive lenses.

There's no sense being stubborn about it.

I'm just speaking from experience. I'm 66.

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I'm glad you solved the date problem on your SD, but if you can't see the date on your watch, what other things are you not able to see and appreciate in your life?

Bite the bullet and get a pair of progressive lenses, even if the distance correction is plano.

It'll take some getting used to, but it will be a good move, because it won't be long before the cyclops just won't do it either.

Also, when the rest of your vision starts to go south you'll have already adapted the progressive lenses.

There's no sense being stubborn about it.

I'm just speaking from experience. I'm 66.

Grady have you tried looking at the date on the SD? That thing is small...even worse on double digit days of the month.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

Grady have you tried looking at the date on the SD? That thing is small...even worse on double digit days of the month.

Yes, I have looked at the SD date. I'm just saying that a time will come sooner than you would like when the cyclops won't do the trick.

Also, although the date is small it's not the only thing in the world that small and smaller.

The handwriting is on the wall and the sooner you address the problem globally the better.

You'll soon learn that having your glasses on your face is much better than always fumbling for them or pasting a cyclops to every thing you can't see.

Sent from my SM-G900V

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

You'll soon learn that having your glasses on your face is much better than always fumbling for them or pasting a cyclops to every thing you can't see.

Sent from my SM-G900V

Well since Rolex puts a cyclops on almost every other watch i though it was ok to do it in this instance.

I get the whole glasses thing I guess I just don't want to make the jump yet. My optometrist said once I get them and start using them then I will NEED them. Not ready for that yet.

I do realize that as I get older things really do get smaller....

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

Well since Rolex puts a cyclops on almost every other watch i though it was ok to do it in this instance.

I get the whole glasses thing I guess I just don't want to make the jump yet. My optometrist said once I get them and start using them then I will NEED them. Not ready for that yet.

I do realize that as I get older things really do get smaller....

I used to have enough of an astigmatism to warrant thick glasses. I was unable to read the big E on the charts without correction. I had two laser surgeries performed and was fortunate enough to have permanent correction so that at 63 I neither need glasses for distance or reading. Monovision can also be done using contacts and allows reading without wearing regular reading glasses (OK contacts are glasses, fwiw).

BTW; great job I might add!!!

[El Cascarrabias]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I'm glad you solved the date problem on your SD, but if you can't see the date on your watch, what other things are you not able to see and appreciate in your life? . . . I'm just speaking from experience. I'm 66.

Well done, Peter, but seriously . . . get your eyes checked!

It's small but not that small.

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by El Cascarrabias

It's small but not that small.

Wy wife said something similar to me last week but I don't think she was referring to the date on my watch.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

Grady have you tried looking at the date on the SD? That thing is small...even worse on double digit days of the month.

It is small. I can barely read the date with my readers on.

But Grady is right. Now is the time to start looking at some reading glasses. Progressives, or the $5 disposable readers from wally world.

Nice job on the project. Can you get that Cyclops with ARC?

[KeithP]

Nice!

[SWISSAHOLICS]

Nice one Peter.

[Porter]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

I picked up a 1983 Seadweller model 16660 last week or so that had been totally upgraded by Rolex with new dial, hands, crystal and bezel.

I love the watch, but not being able to see the date was killing me. My 47 year old eyes just can't do it, and I do not need/have/want glasses yet.

I bought a sapphire cyclops and some UV crystal glue and did what many here consider to be taboo. I glued that sucker right over the date on my Seadweller.

I see the date now, and since I plan on keeping this for life, and my eyes will only get worse, I am happy i did it. Won't take too much to take it off in the future.

Video is here: (WARNING: Some contents may be unsuitable for vintage purists and anyone else that thinks Rolex watches should never be messed with)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2L9VhmC7yk

Problem solved! Great!
I own a 16600 and I love the shape of the crystal without cyclops...but I don't need glasses...yet! You had the balls to modify the watch you love and now you can see the date!! Well done!
Hope you will enjoy your watch many years!!

[brandrea]

Well done Peter

[RolexPete]

By the way...the cost for the project was as follows:

2 Cyclops $28.00
UV Crystal Glue $7.95


About $36 and I bought two in case i screwed up. Now I think I may add the spare to another bang around watch I have.

[ratty]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

By the way...the cost for the project was as follows:

2 Cyclops $28.00
UV Crystal Glue $7.95


About $36 and I bought two in case i screwed up. Now I think I may add the spare to another bang around watch I have.

I think you've done a good job there.

Did you buy the cyclops from Rolex or are they available from other companies?

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by ratty

I think you've done a good job there.

Did you buy the cyclops from Rolex or are they available from other companies?

I bought it off Ebay. There are aftermarket ones available from other companies.

[Roadblocked]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

I picked up a 1983 Seadweller model 16660 last week or so that had been totally upgraded by Rolex with new dial, hands, crystal and bezel.

I love the watch, but not being able to see the date was killing me. My 47 year old eyes just can't do it, and I do not need/have/want glasses yet.

I bought a sapphire cyclops and some UV crystal glue and did what many here consider to be taboo. I glued that sucker right over the date on my Seadweller.

I see the date now, and since I plan on keeping this for life, and my eyes will only get worse, I am happy i did it. Won't take too much to take it off in the future.

Video is here: (WARNING: Some contents may be unsuitable for vintage purists and anyone else that thinks Rolex watches should never be messed with)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2L9VhmC7yk

Great video but I thought I might see a drimmel tool!

[jrs146]

Very nice! It's your watch so don't worry about what anyone would think. Now you will enjoy it more!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[gtnator]

Very nicely done.

But next time maybe you can just get one giant cyclops for the entire watch face. That way you'll be able to read everything from across the room! just kidding...

[Kippers]

Originally Posted by gtnator

Very nicely done.

But next time maybe you can just get one giant cyclops for the entire watch face. That way you'll be able to read everything from across the room! just kidding...

Or even better, stick both cyclops to your eyes. No need for glasses then 😄

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

[maton12]

Well done

Good to see owner improvements, even on such an iconic product, and so long as no permanent damage should you want to remove it

[albmich]

I admire the courage

[WatchinMD]

Nice job