14060 Submariner "Crystal" situation

[submariner1983]

Hi everyone,
I bought a 14060 Submariner 3 months ago, and the sapphire crystal is scratched, and it bothers me a lot. I went to the jewelry store where I bought the Submariner, and the owner told me he can replace the crystal with an "aftermarket" crystal since he does not have a Rolex account for parts. He said he will only charge me $100 for the crystal including the labor since I bought the watch from him. The thing is the watch is running fine, and I am a little bit short on cash to send it to RSC. The only thing I want is a crystal replacement. Is it worth putting an aftermarket crystal on my 14060 Submariner in your opinion?
I will most likely sell the watch in about 5 years from now, so will I be able to sell the watch with an aftermarket crystal to a jewelry store or to a local AD?

Will my watch be a fake If I do this?
Do Jewelry stores or local AD's care if the crystal is aftermarket or can they even tell if the crystal is aftermarket?

If I do put an aftermarket crystal, will my watch lose a lot of its value?


Thanks for reading, and thanks for your help.

[Dimitris76]

Do not do it!

Do not let anybody open up your fine working watch not to mention installing a fake crystal.

If you are short on cash now wait until you can an afford a RSC crystal replacement or until you do not care about the scratch anymore...

My 2 cents...

[regaltrojan]

I can't see any scratches in the photo. Your Sub looks okay to me. Just hold out on replacing the crystal for now. When the time comes, have a genuine one installed.

[Minimalist]

I would only have genuine parts installed in a watch that costs thousands.

[mjclark32]

I don't think a genuine Rolex crystal is very expensive, maybe around the same cost as he's quoting you. See if you can source one yourself and have him install it? and have him do pressure test after

[utc66]

Wow! Beautiful, simple watch. In 5 years when you sell, please let me know!

[stil]

Originally Posted by Dimitris76

Do not do it!

Do not let anybody open up your fine working watch not to mention installing a fake crystal.

If you are short on cash now wait until you can an afford a RSC crystal replacement or until you do not care about the scratch anymore...

My 2 cents...

Agreed.

Or reach out to LA Watch Works or Rikki to see what they'd charge...

[JSolano305]

WOW are you seriously considering an after market non Rolex crystal??? No way. Save till you have the money for it and send it to Rolex Dallas.

[Viffer]

I bought my 14060 in 2013, on closer examination I found a feint scratch on the crystal and a small chip at the edge, neither spoilt the purchase and I have to look hard to find both so mostly ignore the fact they are there.
When I feel the watch needs a service I'll send it to RSC and get the crystal replaced. And then put my own scratches on it.

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by submariner1983

Hi everyone,
I bought a 14060 Submariner 3 months ago, and the sapphire crystal is scratched, and it bothers me a lot. I went to the jewelry store where I bought the Submariner, and the owner told me he can replace the crystal with an "aftermarket" crystal since he does not have a Rolex account for parts. He said he will only charge me $100 for the crystal including the labor since I bought the watch from him. The thing is the watch is running fine, and I am a little bit short on cash to send it to RSC. The only thing I want is a crystal replacement. Is it worth putting an aftermarket crystal on my 14060 Submariner in your opinion?
I will most likely sell the watch in about 5 years from now, so will I be able to sell the watch with an aftermarket crystal to a jewelry store or to a local AD?

Will my watch be a fake If I do this?
Do Jewelry stores or local AD's care if the crystal is aftermarket or can they even tell if the crystal is aftermarket?

If I do put an aftermarket crystal, will my watch lose a lot of its value?


Thanks for reading, and thanks for your help.

No. Not fake. Just not 100% authentic.

[JohnFair]

The first scratch is the toughest.

My first crystal scratch was from 9oclock to 3oclock and I waited until RSC service to replace the crystal. Now I have a chip at 3oclock which will, once again, wait until the next service.

If you wear the watch as intended you will get scratches and scuffs, we call that "patina".

[osamu]

there are some high quality aftermarket crystals out there, but I would be wary of any "jewelry store" crystal, and if your 14060 has the LEC, then definitely I'd want to stick with a genuine crystal.

I'd probably get a quote from a watchmaker with a parts account, I don't think the genuine crystals are too expensive,

[Tools]

Originally Posted by submariner1983

. . .Will my watch be a fake If I do this?
Do Jewelry stores or local AD's care if the crystal is aftermarket or can they even tell if the crystal is aftermarket?

:

Sometimes I'm absolutely amazed at the comments we get..

An aftermarket crystal will not make your watch "fake" in any manner, shape of form. You should ensure that it is a reliable watchmaker installing it though, along with a proper pressure test..

It is a perfectly reasonable approach if cost is an issue, and nobody will be able to tell the difference, nor will it function any differently.

[cop414]

Great looking Submariner, I wouldn't put an aftermarket crystal on it. Wait until you have the funds then do it right.

[terryuk]

If the scratch really annoys you, why not buy a diamond-paste kit ($15-$20?) and polish out the scratch yourself, then next time, you'll be all set. (it's not difficult to do)

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Tools

...nobody will be able to tell the difference, nor will it function any differently.

Does that model/generation come with the LEC on the crystal? If so, then someone would be able to tell it's not genuine by looking closely. Granted, nobody would in passing, but it could affect resale value. The reactions in here indicate as much.

[nymsportf30]

Like most here I would absolutely wait to get a genuine Rolex crystal.

It might just be my personality but it would bother me knowing I didn't have a genuine Rolex part on my watch.

[Bigsykedaddy]

Don't do it man. I don't think a genuine one is that bad, you should be able to afford it. If you send it to RSC just tell them you only want the crystal replaced and nothing else. I would call them and specifically ask them how much it costs.

Do not put an aftermarket crystal on your sub, I would think it would effect it's water resistance.

[Afghanvet]

Contact DFW Watches in Dallas. Genuine parts, beats prices of AD/RSC for repairs.

[treblarefils]

Whats Rolex charge cant be that much more ...no way would i put aftermarket on a Rolex at least. This is why ill continue to buy new watches and not pre owned. This and the guys that like to take the kitchen pad to their 10k dollar watches lol....

[Tools]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Does that model/generation come with the LEC on the crystal? If so, then someone would be able to tell it's not genuine by looking closely. Granted, nobody would in passing, but it could affect resale value. The reactions in here indicate as much.

A 14060 would not have an LEC crystal originally. Obsession with re-sale should not always be the driver in maintenance of ones time-piece.

Rolex is not the only watch in the world with sapphire crystals and they do not make theirs of any better quality than others, or from the many well-known parts suppliers who outfit more watches than Rolex even makes..

If it were mine, I would likely use a Rolex crystal because I can afford it. The RSC will likely not simply replace the crystal on a 20+ year old watch without doing a full service as well. In this case, a hundred bucks for a nice crystal rather than a potential 800 dollar tab at the RSC should be a no-brainer.

:

[Romeojk]

Originally Posted by Tools

A 14060 would not have an LEC crystal originally. Obsession with re-sale should not always be the driver in maintenance of ones time-piece.



Rolex is not the only watch in the world with sapphire crystals and they do not make theirs of any better quality than others, or from the many well-known parts suppliers who outfit more watches than Rolex even makes..



If it were mine, I would likely use a Rolex crystal because I can afford it. The RSC will likely not simply replace the crystal on a 20+ year old watch without doing a full service as well. In this case, a hundred bucks for a nice crystal rather than a potential 800 dollar tab at the RSC should be a no-brainer.



:

Good to know, thanks for the lesson. It's easy to get caught up in doing things the "right way" when there are legit money saving options.


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[Al1969]

If it was my sub, I'd go with a genuine crystal.

[unionmade]

I have the same issue with my 14060 (U model). I need a new crystal. On the existing crystal it´s no sign of LEC and I can´t find any data that the 14060 comes with LEC?
Can someone confirm this? Will a new genuine crystal have the LEC or do they come as the original (without)? Thanks for you help!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by unionmade

I have the same issue with my 14060 (U model). I need a new crystal. On the existing crystal it´s no sign of LEC and I can´t find any data that the 14060 comes with LEC?
Can someone confirm this? Will a new genuine crystal have the LEC or do they come as the original (without)? Thanks for you help!

If Rolex replaces the crystal, it will come with a Coronet on it, they do not look around for a non LEC crystal for you.

The 14060 was discontinued before LEC crystals were the norm, which started in ~2001 and took a few years to fully implement.

[unionmade]

Thank you for your reply Tools! So maybe a aftermarket identical to the existing crystal will be more time-correct than a new Coronet crystal? But then again not original..
Anyhow I´ll keep the original crystal:)

[Hampshirescott]

Go buy a real Rolex crystal from
eBay for a little more have that installed!