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Old 30 June 2022, 12:27 AM   #1
Bstewart
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Removing cyclops

Has anyone done this? Is it easy?
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Old 30 June 2022, 12:53 AM   #2
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People have done it in the past that I've read on here... It's only held on by UV cured glue, but if you remove it I don't think you can remove the AR coating...

If you're looking at doing this on a Sub Date you could just swap in a crystal from a Sub and keep the original intact. May also work for a DJ / OP as well
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Old 30 June 2022, 01:01 AM   #3
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An oldie but a goodie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNnxKrf820g&t
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Old 30 June 2022, 01:10 AM   #4
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Geez... My eyes are bleeding.
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Old 30 June 2022, 02:20 AM   #5
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That was awesome - I couldn't get myself to do that in that manner but am sure that I could manage step one repeatedly
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Old 30 June 2022, 02:20 AM   #6
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Has anyone done this? Is it easy?
It used to be more common, it is only glued on..

Now days cyclops has anti reflection under the cyclops area, so taking it off has an odd look.

It is a better option to simply change it for one of the non-date, non-cyclops crystals.
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Old 30 June 2022, 03:41 PM   #7
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It used to be more common, it is only glued on..

Now days cyclops has anti reflection under the cyclops area, so taking it off has an odd look.

It is a better option to simply change it for one of the non-date, non-cyclops crystals.
ABC watches where able to order a factory Non-Cyclops crystal for my 16610. Not sure if that is possible anymore.
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Old 30 June 2022, 02:51 AM   #8
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It's crazy! I prefer to change all the glass, but then why? The Cyclops is so beautiful.
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Old 30 June 2022, 03:26 AM   #9
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I did it a few years ago on a Submariner and it was very straight forward.
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Old 30 June 2022, 03:35 AM   #10
Bstewart
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It's crazy! I prefer to change all the glass, but then why? The Cyclops is so beautiful.
I despise it. Looks like an old man's watch.
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Old 30 June 2022, 03:43 AM   #11
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I despise it. Looks like an old man's watch.
This is going to heavily devalue your watch. If it isn’t your taste, get another brand, it’s a Rolex signature.
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Old 30 June 2022, 04:19 AM   #12
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This is going to heavily devalue your watch. If it isn’t your taste, get another brand, it’s a Rolex signature.
This, Rolex without a cyclops
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Old 30 June 2022, 04:27 AM   #13
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This is going to heavily devalue your watch. If it isn’t your taste, get another brand, it’s a Rolex signature.
How much will it devalue it? The price of a new crystal plus installation.
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Old 30 June 2022, 05:25 AM   #14
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i happen to like cyclops- The Rolex interpretation of Le Grande Date!
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Old 30 June 2022, 01:47 PM   #15
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This is going to heavily devalue your watch. If it isn’t your taste, get another brand, it’s a Rolex signature.

It won’t devalue it (certainly not heavily) - a cyclops for a crystal can be had for a few bucks at most. It is easy an modification. I’ve seen plenty of hobbyists add them to Aquaracers and Seamasters - not even something a watchmaker needs to be bothered to do. Aftermarket crystals and cyclops are a dime a dozen for 4- and 5-digit Rolexes, anyway.

And even it did devalue it, so what? It’s his to wear and enjoy how he wants. People should stop obsessing about resell value and wear the flipping watch, it’s much more enjoyable that way. Leave investing talk for stocks and real estate… we’re here for the hobby!
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Old 30 June 2022, 04:01 PM   #16
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[QUOTE=herefortheattachment;12248009]It won’t devalue it (certainly not heavily) - a cyclops for a crystal can be had for a few bucks at most. It is easy an modification. I’ve seen plenty of hobbyists add them to Aquaracers and Seamasters - not even something a watchmaker needs to be bothered to do. Aftermarket crystals and cyclops are a dime a dozen for 4- and 5-digit Rolexes, anyway.



Sorry - have to call bullsh*t.

You have no idea what you are going on about...
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Old 30 June 2022, 06:23 AM   #17
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I despise it. Looks like an old man's watch.
Yet, u still bought the watch
Next time, just get a Rolex without a date.

Cyclops removal depends on ur watch year.
Newer ones have AR which makes it stand out after removal.
Best to replace the crystal without cyclops, if possible.
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Old 30 June 2022, 08:03 AM   #18
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I despise it. Looks like an old man's watch.
One day you will admire the cyclops . Live and learn grasshopper .
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Old 30 June 2022, 08:49 AM   #19
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I despise it. Looks like an old man's watch.
Here here. Thank god for ND Sub and Daytona
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Old 30 June 2022, 08:57 AM   #20
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Removing cyclops

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Here here. Thank god for ND Sub and Daytona

One day, somewhere in the metaverse, a long long time from now, someone will swap out flat crystals for cyclopsed ones on Subs.


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Old 30 June 2022, 03:43 AM   #21
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I'm not a huge fan of the cyclops, mainly because I've passed the point where it does any good at all.

If I don't have my glasses on, I can't read the date, cyclops or not.

However, it is my opinion that if the watch comes with the cyclops, it's part of the watch's style and should be kept that way.

I don't even care if my watches have dates on them or not and a lot of them don't, but I still feel the same way about the cyclops.
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Old 30 June 2022, 09:26 AM   #22
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I wasn't a fan of the cyclops at all but after spending extended time with my DJ I've become really used to it. Now non-cyclops dates look small... lol...

Overall though I think i'd prefer if it wasn't there and i got back to being used to non-cyclops dates.
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Old 30 June 2022, 09:32 AM   #23
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I've never been a fan of it

I find it does make it instantly recognizable as a Rolex from across the room (in most cases), which could be a good or bad thing, depending on your views
I feel like removing the cyclops would lead most people to think it was fake, which, again, could be a good or bad thing, depending on your mindset

I'd swap the crystal before trying to alter the stock one, though
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Old 30 June 2022, 09:51 AM   #24
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Buy an Omega….problem solved
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Old 30 June 2022, 10:23 AM   #25
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I personally love the cyclops, as it's so distinctively Rolex! I've always loved the look.

As for that YouTube video of the removal.....Looks like it came off nicely with no scratches or evidence that one was ever there. However, I would be way too chicken to try that on my watch! I was tensing up and clenching my teeth just watching that vid! Lol!
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Old 30 June 2022, 01:11 PM   #26
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Just...Why? Seems to me kind of like filing the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament off your Rolls-Royce.
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Old 30 June 2022, 01:52 PM   #27
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The problem is that the date window of a Rolex with a cyclops is inset on the dial to accommodate the cyclops. When you remove it, it throws the balance of the dial off.
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Old 30 June 2022, 02:06 PM   #28
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This reminds me of my early days of watch collecting when I thought Rolex was only for old dudes. Then I came around and thought I'd get one but remove the cyclops. Finally I understood their designs are timeless and perfect as is.

It can be done, but why mess with a good thing?
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Old 30 June 2022, 02:20 PM   #29
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Absence of cyclops was one of main drivers I chose 124060 over the date Sub, along with dial symmetry from absence of date window.
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Old 30 June 2022, 02:56 PM   #30
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The Cyclops was designed (some say with a short-sighted old lady called Mrs Wilsdorf in mind) for a 36mm watch almost 80 years ago. Any 40mm + watch shouldn't need one to make the date legible. Even on my 36mm Grand Seiko I can read the date with no Cyclops, without my reading glasses. In fact it is easier, as I don't need to look directly down on it, as I do with my 36mm Datejust.

Remove it if you don't like it. It won't significantly impact the value, but it will make it hard to sell if you ever want to.
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