The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex WatchTech

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 22 November 2024, 06:29 PM   #1
Gruesome
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: California
Posts: 16
Icon5 AR coating service for watch crystals?

All in all I'm very happy with my new-to-me 2016 116660 Deepsea Sea-Dweller, but what caught me by surprise (I know, should have done more research...) is the complete absence of AR coating. I noticed it when the dial seemed less black than on other watches. In a direct comparison the dial visibility and appearance is significantly worse than on an Omega I have from the same year. (My Omega has a double-domed crystal, so that probably also helps, compared to the flat underside of the Deepsea crystal.) I just wasn't aware that Rolex is a generation behind, and only now (12xxxx, or even 13xxxx series for the Deepsea) adopting crystal coatings. For some reason I assumed at least inside coating was standard on all watches above a certain price point since say the mid-zeroes.

Anyways:
Is there an aftermarket vendor for having a crystal AR coated? Adding anti-reflective coating to the flat underside of the Deepsea crystal is something I would consider once my current Rolex service warranty runs out.
(Initially I was worried that Deepsea crystal installation might only be available at Rolex company service centers, who would probably refuse to install a modified crystal, but in the meantime I learned that 500 bar pressure testing equipment is commercially available, so I assume any Rolex certified watchmaker with e.g. a Roxer RXF 500 can work on the Deepsea.)
Gruesome is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 November 2024, 04:20 AM   #2
cascadez71
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: PNW
Posts: 137
RSC in USA is currently installing AR crystals on a large number of modern watches if you ask. Pricing seems to be about $175 without service, maybe $125 with service per forum members. A few threads in the general forum popped up recently.

I will be sending an 11series sub for service soon and will have crystal replaced with AR version.

I presume Deepsea will have same options from RSC as Sub/Sea-dweller, etc.
cascadez71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 November 2024, 09:47 AM   #3
Gruesome
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: California
Posts: 16
Thanks, that's really helpful. It sounds like this is one (the only?) occasion where Rolex will mount a part from a later version.

Here is an example of the reflections I'm talking about, under a louvered roof - oops, still can't post images...
Gruesome is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 November 2024, 03:33 PM   #4
Gruesome
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: California
Posts: 16
Icon18 Deepsea 116660 reflections

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gruesome View Post
Thanks, that's really helpful. It sounds like this is one (the only?) occasion where Rolex will mount a part from a later version.

Here is an example of the reflections I'm talking about, under a louvered roof - oops, still can't post images...
Here is the image (gif) I tried to post before:

Of course, it's a very nice feature if you have a fire going:

Last edited by Gruesome; 29 November 2024 at 03:42 PM.. Reason: make gif work, actually
Gruesome is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 December 2024, 03:53 PM   #5
Hkspwrsche
"TRF" Member
 
Hkspwrsche's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Harold
Location: Richmond, Va
Posts: 830
I have asked about this for my 16610 and was told only with service?
__________________
Instagram @MechanicalLuxury
Hkspwrsche is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


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

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

Asset Appeal

Wrist Aficionado

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*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.