Removing the Cyclops?

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by JohnFM

judodave1964,

I understand your interest in who did it. I had to do a lot of calling and searching around (probably called 10-12 watchmakers in California and beyond) to find a watchmaker who would/could do it.

I'm not an expert on the murky waters of Rolex approval/disapproval, but can say that Authorized RSCs are simply not in the business of mods and many non-RSC watchmakers don't have or can't sell Rolex parts. So it's a matter of finding a watchmaker who is willing to take it on. That's about all I can say -- sorry.

John

Yup, looks great!

It truly is a who you know with a Rolex parts account, and that are willing to do this, so like me, I keep my trap shut and enjoy those fruits!

Nice mod, John !

[mr.president1]

I love the cyclops! Don't remove it, it's very iconic. But if you do most def go for the replacement.... Don't just have it removed. Just my 2cense

[judodave1964]

Its something I have thought about for some time and my watch is due for a service this year, I was intending to take it to the RSC in kent (uk). But if I remove the cyclops before or after the service it may cause some comeback with the Rolex service warranty.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by judodave1964

Its something I have thought about for some time and my watch is due for a service this year, I was intending to take it to the RSC in kent (uk). But if I remove the cyclops before or after the service it may cause some comeback with the Rolex service warranty.

ROLEX will ask you about it, but they will not REQUIRE you to have it reinstalled for service guarantee, especially ROLEX UK...

That's prolly a likely hood for US servicenter, but I would challenge it with them any day of the week but/and not on golf Sundays ...

Ymmv given your ability command the situation...

[Axelay2003]

This is a great thread. I am also contemplating on removing the cyclops of a near future purchase Explorer II Model 216570 or possibly just have it replaced with a crystal sans cyclops.

[samsmart]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

That looks Great. I was going to do this on my 16710. I bought an aftermarket Crystal for it with no date, but ended up selling the watch before installing the crystal.

Where did you get the Red Second Hand? I would like to do that mod to my Sea Dweller!

[Jannal]

Originally Posted by rmfnla

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

The Sub 16610 (discontinued model) do not have anti-reflective underneath the cyclops, whereas the 116610LN / LV (newer model) do.

[Thebiglagu]

Originally Posted by 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

+1

[Marrk]

I like it cyclop-less, too. Don't know of I'm ready to do it to my 16710 . . . .

Damn you, Rolex, for thinking that a drop of water on a watch crystal was an "inspiration."

[jmsrolls]

When I decided to do a "Cyclopsectomy" on my 16570 EXPII, I took a Rolex "service crystal", soaked it in acetone for a few days, and the "bubble" slipped off easy.

My watchmaker then swapped crystals resulting in this:

[Marrk]

Fr. John knows.

[polarinda]

....

[polarinda]

For the sub, i prefer the cyclop. Having said that, my watchmaker took less than 3 mins to remove and glue back my 16710's cyclop due to misalignment.

[ingoodtime]

My 16613 was bought preowned and was without cyclops. I liked it that way for awhile. but then , I felt that the cyclops was iconic. I went to a watchmaker and asked if he had a genuine rolex cyclops, he said yes. He put it non and it was not centered. He used a torch to remove it,then put it on again. The magnification was not right. I had him remove it. I took the watch elsewhere and had a genuine
crystal installed. About two years later, (may 2013) I sent the watch to RSC in PA for service as the hour hand was in the mid hour position when the time was at the top of the hour. My feeling is that heating up the watch to remove the crystal could have affected the lubricants causing wear to occur. Anyway.... I learned a lesson but...my watch looks brand spanking new. and, now I know that my wastcvh is well genuine Rolex.

[accce]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzhYmhawDCg

[Billywiz]

Looks quite good,,,i remember reading on here a few years ago i think a thread about how to do this...try searching.

[rmfnla]

I put a new crystal on my DJ today and before putting on the new one I looked at that poor, tiny date window cringing between the II and the III (I have a Roman dial).

I'm all for personal preference, and mine is to keep the cyclops...