GMT Cyclops AR Scratch - remove external coating?

[4BostonB]

Hi all,

I have a small scratch going across the cyclops on my GMT-C - pics below. MY understanding is that there is a layer of AR coating both on the underside of the crystal beneath the cyclops, and on the exterior of the cyclops. The underside coating is evident because of those who have removed their cyclopses - it's clearly visible on the underside of the crystal. The external coating appears to be present because reflections of light off of the cyclops itself appear blue-tinted, which is indicative of the external coating.

My Sinn watch has a full double-sided AR coating, and many owners of those have reported that when the external AR coating is scratched, they can remove the appearance of the scratches by using a Cape Cod cloth to remove the entire AR coating from the outside of the crystal.

Has anyone scratched the coating on their cyclops? What are everyone's thoughts on taping the shit out of the face of the watch and removing the coating from the outside of the cyclops?

Pics are attached - excuse the smudges (I tried to wipe them off, I promise).

[Rashid.bk]

That doesn't look like a scratch on the coating, it looks like the crystal itself is scratched. Can you feel it if you pass your finger nail over it.
I would probably just wait until servicing or take it to RSC but I wouldn't play chemist with it.

[4BostonB]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

That doesn't look like a scratch on the coating, it looks like the crystal itself is scratched. Can you feel it if you pass your finger nail over it.
I would probably just wait until servicing or take it to RSC but I wouldn't play chemist with it.

Eh, I have a hard time believing that the crystal would have scratched. I definitely don't remember any substantial impact, and with the hardness levels of sapphire, i'd be surprised if it could have scratched on something generic. I don't put it face town on surfaces or anything, and still, sapphire is too hard to scratch from being face down on a desk or table.

It looks like it's a scratch in the coating because of the different way it reflects light. The cape cod polish cloth is a proven method of removing AR from crystal exteriors - no chemistry or anything. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience. Can't hurt to try wiping a rag on it for a few minutes - worst case it has to get sent in.

This being said, I'd rather not send it in to RSC if I can avoid it - the scratch isn't noticeable unless you're looking for it, it'd be $400 for a new crystal, I'd be without the watch for weeks, and they would need to open the caseback which is still fresh from the factory. Seems weird to recommend that when it could be easily resolved in a matter of minutes, right?

[Byrdguy]

Polish it out with Simichrome metal polish. It won't hurt the crystal. I've used it a lot on my Subs over the last 30 years or so.

[Stevec14]

Originally Posted by 4BostonB

Eh, I have a hard time believing that the crystal would have scratched. I definitely don't remember any substantial impact, and with the hardness levels of sapphire, i'd be surprised if it could have scratched on something generic. I don't put it face town on surfaces or anything, and still, sapphire is too hard to scratch from being face down on a desk or table.



It looks like it's a scratch in the coating because of the different way it reflects light. The cape cod polish cloth is a proven method of removing AR from crystal exteriors - no chemistry or anything. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience. Can't hurt to try wiping a rag on it for a few minutes - worst case it has to get sent in.



This being said, I'd rather not send it in to RSC if I can avoid it - the scratch isn't noticeable unless you're looking for it, it'd be $400 for a new crystal, I'd be without the watch for weeks, and they would need to open the caseback which is still fresh from the factory. Seems weird to recommend that when it could be easily resolved in a matter of minutes, right?

The crystal is approx half that price. I paid 130 quid for mine from rsc. Might take a couple of weeks.

If you can, I’d let it go until service time and have it done then but I had the exact same thing on mine and had to have it repaired.

As you say, if you have a go yourself and it doesn’t work you can just send it in anyway if that’s what you want to do.


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[jaisonline]

if you take it to a decent watch shop, they can replace the crystal cyclops if it's bother you.

[Rashid.bk]

I recommend leaving it. Although sapphire is very hard you have no idea how it happened as you just "noticed it once day", it could have been anything and something you didn't notice. Crystals and bezels have been scratched by rings, seatbelt buckles, zippers, doors and door frames, and a host of other items. When it catches it at just the right angle, anything can happen and has. I scratched the ar on an Omega, no idea when or how, same for a bezel my 16600 and a large gouge on the side of my Deepsea, looked down and there it was, no clue how it happened.
As for sending it in, well I don't like fidgeting with my watch. I rather let the pros do it. Yes it will be gone but if it bothered me that much I would let a pro handle it.

Otherwise, by all means proceed as you wish. Seems your mind is made up, it's your watch after all. Your solution is feasible. I merely suggested that you'd be one hundred percent positive that it is indeed the ar and not the crystal. Good luck.