Removing the Cyclops?

[JohnFM]

Thanks to Patrick Aziz (with generous input from George Ab, Tony Geha, and David SW), I own a 16610 Submariner and 16600 Sea Dweller -- both great watches and all reputable sellers!

I prefer the trimmer profile and larger face of the Submariner but love the clean, flat, no-cyclops dial of the Sea Dweller. So ... I was thinking of having the cyclops removed from the 16610.

I spoke with a couple of watchmakers today in northern California and am thoroughly confused! Other than the fact that most of all of them told me not to do it, prices ranged from $100 to $250. One said he'd add a little chemical (acetone?) next to the cyclops to dissolve a small portion of the glue, then chip the crystal off, and then clean and re-install the crystal. Another said it's best to remove the crystal, heat it with a torch, melt the glue, remove the cyclops, and clean and re-install the crystal. Another said it's best to simply remove the old crystal and put a new one on, sans cyclops, but that the crystal would have to be after-market sapphire since all of the Rolex crystals that would fit the 16610 include a cyclops.

Suggestions and input are appreciated.
Thanks.
John

[NKflyer]

I haven't actually tried, but I remember reading somewhere that you can cautiously apply small quantities of acetone and then remove the cyclops with a razor blade while the crystal is still on the watch. If you are able, might be safer to pop the bezel first to avoid getting acetone on it.

[Speed]

Why don't you buy a replacement crystal...and keep the original, original in case you sell someday?

[mruhland31]

I agree with Speed...In my opinion the best way to go would be to but a new crystal and not deal with removing the cyclops at all

[BoomerSooner]

SPEED' S advice all the way!

[Marrk]

Fr. John did this mod to his Explorer II. You could check with him.

[LA_LEC]

Speed suggestion is the most sound!

[JohnFM]

I agree that a replacement crystal is the way to go.

Should I care if it's a Rolex crystal, as opposed to aftermarket? Does Rolex even make a 40mm crystal without cyclops?

John

[rmfnla]

Remember, removing the cyclops will leave a spot without the anti-reflective coating...

[Jdd155]

Originally Posted by Speed

Why don't you buy a replacement crystal...and keep the original, original in case you sell someday?

Originally Posted by rmfnla

Remember, removing the cyclops will leave a spot without the anti-reflective coating...

Agree with above.

[roger0770]

the no date sub 14060 has the same dial diameter as the 16610. stop by the sf rolex service center, and the folks will be able to help you. gio and his crew are awesome!

[STEELINOX]

[STEELINOX]

[SUBversive]

I had a AD ( now former ad for other reasons) carefully knock mine off. I agreed not to hold him responsible on the off chance that he broke the crystal. He did the operation before and went in the back to do it so I didn't see what he did. It took less than 5 minutes and was off.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

looks great!

[STEELINOX]

It's not some delicate operation to remove this and is easily reversed.

To remove use a Qtip dabbed in the wife's nail polish remover and dab the glue joint edge, which is about a one mm or less glue line. Don't dows the glue joint with the remover just get the point where the cyclops meets the main sapphire with a dab on the perimeter of the cyclops lens.

Prolly about five minutes time to wait for the remover to break down the uv glue, then take a razor blade and carefully flick it off by placing the edge of the blade against the flat edge of the cyclops...

Here, u can see the glue line...

[JohnFM]

Originally Posted by roger0770

the no date sub 14060 has the same dial diameter as the 16610. stop by the sf rolex service center, and the folks will be able to help you. gio and his crew are awesome!

I called there today and was told that Giovanni wasn't comfortable putting a non-cyclops crystal on this since it's not authorized by Rolex. Still, I may go in and try in person ;-) Giovanni is a wonderful guy.

[rolex75216]

Originally Posted by speed

why don't you buy a replacement crystal...and keep the original, original in case you sell someday?

+1

[HRV]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Very nice, I love it

[JohnFM]

Steelinox,

Looks fantastic -- the perfect Submariner!

I'm tempted to try it. On second thought, a little acetone under the crystal would not be good!!

By the way, how did you remove the glue line?

John

[WatchingTime]

I dropped a datejust one time on my bathroom tile floor, and the cyclops popped off. I never did find the little sucker, but needless to say, you might try this method.

[jamesbondOO7]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

My god! Are you eating the dog's food? I cannot even look at the picture. It's breakfast time here.

[33JS]

Originally Posted by rmfnla

Remember, removing the cyclops will leave a spot without the anti-reflective coating...

The amount of mis-information on this forum is truly staggering.

[Rolex-10]

Speed's advice is good.

[Jolu]

Bring out your tools and get to work. :)

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Jolu

Bring out your tools and get to work. :)

Seeing this video . . . I am beginning to sweat . . .

Thanks for sharing

HAGOne

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

It's not some delicate operation to remove this and is easily reversed.

To remove use a Qtip dabbed in the wife's nail polish remover and dab the glue joint edge, which is about a one mm or less glue line. Don't dows the glue joint with the remover just get the point where the cyclops meets the main sapphire with a dab on the perimeter of the cyclops lens.

Prolly about five minutes time to wait for the remover to break down the uv glue, then take a razor blade and carefully flick it off by placing the edge of the blade against the flat edge of the cyclops...

Here, u can see the glue line...

Nice, this would be the way to go if it were me.
Then in the future if you want the cyclops back Rolex would have no problem charging you to put a new one in.

[NKflyer]

Yeah, I really don't see what the big fuss is about saving the original crystal. It's not like an original rare T39 or something. Authentic replacement crystals with cyclops are widely available should the OP decide to return to original. A skilled watchmaker could also glue a cyclops back on.

[Jim300186]

Originally Posted by HRV

Very nice, I love it

Did you get t red second hand fitted on that as well? Looks awesome

[cop414]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

That watch looks amazing without the cyclops, wow.
Looks just like a no date sub... but with a date!
If Rolex would offer this as an option I might have purchased this instead of my 14060M.