Removing the Cyclops?

[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.

[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...

[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.

[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.

[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.

[KBM]

The Sub date without the cyclops is the nicest looking rolex there is, IMO.

[psv]

I did this to my 16610 back in 1999/2000 already and I've done it once since as well. It is trivial to do it yourself. Tape everything but the crystal with a thick masking tape, put some acetone with a Q-tip around the base of the cyclops and remove with gently with a razor blade. It will flip right off. Clean off glue residue with the acetone. Done.

[matt.wu]

Where in NorCal are you? My guy has done it for me on both sapphire and acrylic for something like $25.

I do it to all my Rolexes. Hate the cyclops; love pretty much everything else about the watch.

Shoot me a PM.

[Rock]

So 'acetone' is obviously a solvent that does not react with the crystal.??
I saw a 2 litre container of acetone in the hardware store the other day - is this suitable or would you buy some other sort? Would you need to dilute it? Would nail polish remover be preferred?
I think the cyclops seriously spoils the look of my DJ 16233 and as long as I am sure I won't damage the crystal I am up for it.
What's a "Q-tip"? Is that what you dudes call a 'cotton bud'?
Razor blade or scalpel? Whats best?

[gpfps]

Don't let the acetone get down to the gasket !

[Darrin976]

There is a youtube video of a guy heating the cyclops for 5-10 seconds and then pops it off with a razor. Then used goof off to remove glue residue. I would think the heat method might be better if your worried about using acetone.

[JohnFM]

Originally Posted by Darrin976

There is a youtube video of a guy heating the cyclops for 5-10 seconds and then pops it off with a razor. Then used goof off to remove glue residue. I would think the heat method might be better if your worried about using acetone.

I've decided to pour some acetone on the crystal and then use the blowtorch. What do you all think?

Seriously, I did see the video. I think the blue flame was only on the cyclops for about two seconds. Still, not for the feint of heart! I'm more inclined to go with a little acetone but both methods may induce a little shaky hand syndrome, if you know what I mean.

John

[JohnFM]

' ....not for the faint of heart'. Sorry grammarians!

John

[Rolexwatch]

I wonder why would anybody do that to a perfectly good watch...

Once the cyclop's out, if you listen closely you can hear the watch screaming to have it put back on.

[Jsan20]

Originally Posted by Rolexwatch

I wonder why would anybody do that to a perfectly good watch...

Once the cyclop's out, if you listen closely you can hear the watch screaming to have it put back on.

Totally agree

[JohnFM]

You're probably right Rolexwatch. Once I remove it (assuming I do) I may miss the darn thing ... and there's no question that it hurts the value should I ever want to sell the watch.

The reason is that the cyclops distorts that portion of the dial and is a distraction to my eye, causing me to want to look elsewhere. Plus, I have good close-up vision and don't need the magnification. I have a 16600 Sea Dweller and really like its clean dial and flat crystal.

For typical older eyes, the cyclops serves a real purpose and is, no doubt, one of the really appealing things about Subs for so many people. I don't hate it, but don't need it, and prefer the 'clearer view' of the dial sans cyclops.

John

[Rock]

What he said. I'm short sighted and can read the date without the cyclops which is just like a big unsightly mole on a face. I certainly won't miss it - ever.
In the absence of any comment, I assume that whatever the crystal is made of is immune to acetone and the only tricky bit is prising it off with the blade without scratching the crystal.
So - is nail polish remover the best form of acetone to use?

[analog]

Personally, I think the Submariner Date without the cyclops looks wrong. The date looks too small and kinda cheap. I really don't like this mod.

But hey - if you like it more power to you.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Rock

What he said. I'm short sighted and can read the date without the cyclops which is just like a big unsightly mole on a face. I certainly won't miss it - ever.
In the absence of any comment, I assume that whatever the crystal is made of is immune to acetone and the only tricky bit is prising it off with the blade without scratching the crystal.
So - is nail polish remover the best form of acetone to use?

Either or, they both work the same, just a dab will do ya and about five minutes time for it to break down the adhesive...

The sapphire can only be scratched with diamond or the like...

The sapphire is not porous and is quite hard - it's only real life enemies are door jams and intake manifolds!

Originally Posted by JohnFM

You're probably right Rolexwatch. Once I remove it (assuming I do) I may miss the darn thing ... and there's no question that it hurts the value should I ever want to sell the watch.

The reason is that the cyclops distorts that portion of the dial and is a distraction to my eye, causing me to want to look elsewhere. Plus, I have good close-up vision and don't need the magnification. I have a 16600 Sea Dweller and really like its clean dial and flat crystal.

For typical older eyes, the cyclops serves a real purpose and is, no doubt, one of the really appealing things about Subs for so many people. I don't hate it, but don't need it, and prefer the 'clearer view' of the dial sans cyclops.

John

You won't lose value as this is totally reversible - just don't lose the cyclops lens !

[JohnFM]

We'll, I've applied the acetone, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and tried to pry the cyclops off with an X-acto knife. No movement -- not budging. Maybe because it's an older Z serial? Hmmm ...

Starting to have my doubts, but still hopeful. Will keep you posted.

John

[Jolu]

Originally Posted by JohnFM

We'll, I've applied the acetone, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and tried to pry the cyclops off with an X-acto knife. No movement -- not budging. Maybe because it's an older Z serial? Hmmm ...

Starting to have my doubts, but still hopeful. Will keep you posted.

John

I've tried both acetone and blow torch followed by the scalpel, but that cyclops is stuck like a mofo. It may work on Invictas and Steinharts, but with a Rolex, unless you leave the job to a watchmaker, it is hammer (and chisel) time. Good luck! :)

[Rock]

I'm thinking maybe just repeated careful applications of the acetone followed by a steady attempt to separate the cyclops. If the cyclops has been neatly and tightly applied (as one would expect) with very small tolerances between it and the crystal then there is a very narrow margin for the acetone to work on.
Repeated applications and use of the blade should make small inroads to the adhesive with each attempt. Maybe the type of acetone makes a difference?
What is the watchmaker going to do that you are not - except maybe be a bit more forceful based on greater confidence due to familiarity with their craft.

[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.

[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.