TrueDome T19 (D19) Replacement Crystals

[SaliBay2019]

Originally Posted by J!m

And for all those worrying- disassembly will prove an original from these:

“To differentiate TrueDome™ from original examples we have installed a dimple to the underside of the sidewall to prevent it from being sold as original.”

True, good point. But another vendor might not do that in the future.

[SaliBay2019]

I repeat my earlier question to HarryLime, roh123, theflywrist, swish77, zapokee, Gepetto, Wahlberg, J!m

Did anybody take authentic T19 and T39 super-domed crystals and created reversed-engineered drawings of them? 

Owing that, everybody could simply measure their plexis and find out himself what type it is. I think it could be of great help for many collectors.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by SaliBay2019

I repeat my earlier question to HarryLime, roh123, theflywrist, swish77, zapokee, Gepetto, Wahlberg, J!m

Did anybody take authentic T19 and T39 super-domed crystals and created reversed-engineered drawings of them? 

Owing that, everybody could simply measure their plexis and find out himself what type it is. I think it could be of great help for many collectors.

Huh? There’s plenty of original reference examples and TrueDome have made their replacements from doing what you ask for? What are you after? Help me understand.

Old superdomes are not waterproof. Hence the aftermarket alternative. Fake superdomes have flooded the market for years. Most of them are poor and crack when mounted. They also give different distortion and have different look. From most in the collector community TrueDomes are welcomed. It’s incredibly difficult to source original T19 superdomes and most that have tried have received fakes.

Personally I have old crystals on my watches but with the new alternative I would probably just buy one of these instead of hunting for an original. Which is both pricey and difficult.

[Gepetto]

Originally Posted by SaliBay2019

I repeat my earlier question to HarryLime, roh123, theflywrist, swish77, zapokee, Gepetto, Wahlberg, J!m

Did anybody take authentic T19 and T39 super-domed crystals and created reversed-engineered drawings of them? 

Owing that, everybody could simply measure their plexis and find out himself what type it is. I think it could be of great help for many collectors.

I think TrueDome have done this in collaboration with the lab they are working with for each of the authentic/original T19's they used to created prototypes.

[Rolexfax33]

Never in a million years did I think my question would spark an epic debate. Lol


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[Ben39]

Originally Posted by roh123

Huh? There’s plenty of original reference examples and TrueDome have made their replacements from doing what you ask for? What are you after? Help me understand.

Old superdomes are not waterproof. Hence the aftermarket alternative. Fake superdomes have flooded the market for years. Most of them are poor and crack when mounted. They also give different distortion and have different look. From most in the collector community TrueDomes are welcomed. It’s incredibly difficult to source original T19 superdomes and most that have tried have received fakes.

Personally I have old crystals on my watches but with the new alternative I would probably just buy one of these instead of hunting for an original. Which is both pricey and difficult.

Well said Per


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[SunTzu]

Originally Posted by dricig

I disagree, aftermarket/non Rolex parts qualify it as such.

Vintage is a slippery slope and even high quality non authentic parts makes the slope treacherous to the vintage buyer.

I think "Franken" is a little extreme.

If it has an aftermarket set of gaskets, is it a Franken watch? Or a non factory strap/bracelet?

At what point do we start labeling a vintage piece a Franken watch?

I think there is more of a consensus that an aftermarket crystal doesn't make an otherwise all authentic time piece a Franken watch. Many vintage pieces have had their crystals replaced over the years as a routine part of servicing at the local corner watchmaker which were more abundant decades ago that had access to various crystal manufacturers. Some are still around. I use them on my vintage Seikos which are damn identical. Original ones are hard to find and the watch is otherwise ALL original. No way would I call them Frankens.

It's not like a fake case, crown, dial, hands, or bezel insert which go to the heart of the value of a vintage piece.

If classifying an aftermarket crystal as a Franken, then I think it's safe to assume that many vintage Rolex and other makes are Frankens then.

If you're trying to pass off the crystal as genuine then that is a problem. But I would gladly purchase one of these for my grandfather's 1967 5513 that had the crystal replaced with a service one in 1996. It would be great to get the original look with the modern technology at an affordable price, rather than hunt down an original, hope it is original, pay through the nose, and worry it doesn't crack one me during the hustle and bustle of daily wear.

[SaliBay2019]

Originally Posted by roh123

Huh? There’s plenty of original reference examples and TrueDome have made their replacements from doing what you ask for? What are you after? Help me understand.

Very simple to understand!

I'm looking for the 60's or 70's fabrication drawings of the original T39 and T19 crystals. That means the drawings which were used for T39 and T19 production, either by Rolex or any company who produced them for Rolex.

Is that clear enough?

[SaliBay2019]

Originally Posted by Gepetto

I think TrueDome have done this in collaboration with the lab they are working with for each of the authentic/original T19's they used to created prototypes.

Sure, that is what I called earlier here "reverse engineering".

You take an original object (a T19 or T39), scan it in 3D and create the drawing(s). These drawings one can use to produce a new object, which has exactly the same shape.

TrueDome certainly has done that or something similar.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by SaliBay2019

Very simple to understand!

I'm looking for the 60's or 70's fabrication drawings of the original T39 and T19 crystals. That means the drawings which were used for T39 and T19 production, either by Rolex or any company who produced them for Rolex.

Is that clear enough?

Why? You want to make a clone too?

[SaliBay2019]

Originally Posted by Rolexfax33

Never in a million years did I think my question would spark an epic debate. Lol


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I fact you have triggered an interesting discussion, which seems to be not easy understandable for all contributors.

In my view, the topic has a significant impact on the availability of future spare crystals, as similar as possible to the old T19's and T39's, which all of us may desire and may urgently search, earlier or later.

In this respect it does not help to post plenty of nice watch photos with installed crystals, superdomed or whatever shape.
Don't get that point wrong: these photos are marvellous and we all enjoy them a lot.

[SaliBay2019]

Originally Posted by roh123

Why? You want to make a clone too?

No, reading is key! I repeat myself (see #7 in this thread): Owing that, everybody could simply measure their plexis and find out himself what type it is. I think it could be of great help for many collectors.

And please look at contribution #9 here! People post photos here and ask for advice what crystals they have. With a fabrication drawing they could measure their crystal and answer themselves what they have! Quite simple in my view.

I have absolutely no interest to start cloning crystals.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by SaliBay2019

No, reading is key! I repeat myself: Owing that, everybody could simply measure their plexis and find out himself what type it is. I think it could be of great help for many collectors.

It’s really not rocket science. Handle enough and you learn how they look, feel, distort etc. Since they are in plastic and are 40+ years old most are polished. And in the very rare case you find a NOS one at least 9 out of 10 will be aftermarket. Best bet to find one is usually to find untouched watches fresh from original owners.

[SaliBay2019]

Originally Posted by roh123

It’s really not rocket science. Handle enough and you learn how they look, feel, distort etc. Since they are in plastic and are 40+ years old most are polished. And in the very rare case you find a NOS one at least 9 out of 10 will be aftermarket. Best bet to find one is usually to find untouched watches fresh from original owners.

No comment required for such a feedback... Apparently you don't understand much, and not sure if you can judge about science! This photo I have already seen so often and have also produced my own T39 and T19 photos.

Handle enough and you learn how they look, feel, distort etc.
THAT IS NOT THE POINT HERE

[roh123]

Originally Posted by SaliBay2019

No comment required for such a feedback... Apparently you don't understand much

Best of luck then.

Since I’m such a nice guy; feel free to post pics of crystals and I will be happy to tell you what they look like. I’m sure others can help as well.

[SaliBay2019]

Originally Posted by roh123

Best of luck then.

Since I’m such a nice guy; feel free to post pics of crystals and I will be happy to tell you what they look like. I’m sure others can help as well.

LOL, I certainly don't need your help man

[roh123]

Originally Posted by SaliBay2019

LOL, I certainly don't need your help man

Slightly polished of course. It’s not new. I have others but this is the only one at home.

Notice the edge, how the crystal is more rounded at the edge and that it does not distort the indexes.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by roh123

Slightly polished of course. It’s not new. I have others but this is the only one at home.

Notice the edge, how the crystal is more rounded at the edge and that it does not distort the indexes.

Per, that is gorgeous. And I see what you mean about the non-distortion of the indices. Same with my '66. Always appreciate your knowledge and insight.

[SaliBay2019]

Very nice dial, congratulations, but w/o additional value to the discussion and questions here.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Per, that is gorgeous. And I see what you mean about the non-distortion of the indices. Same with my '66. Always appreciate your knowledge and insight.

Thanks Andy!

Originally Posted by SaliBay2019

Very nice dial, congratulations, but w/o additional value to the discussion and questions here.

It showcases the important differences between genuine and most aftermarket t19 superdomes.

[SaliBay2019]

Boys show their toys. Useless for answering my simple questions, but don't hesitate and go ahead, at least you increase from n -> n+1 (your number of posts)

[roh123]

Originally Posted by SaliBay2019

Boys show their toys. Useless for answering my simple questions, but don't hesitate and go ahead, at least you increase from n -> n+1 (your number of posts)

And here I thought I was sharing my experience and a tad of knowledge. Sorry to dissapoint.

[stmoore]

Originally Posted by SaliBay2019

Boys show their toys. Useless for answering my simple questions, but don't hesitate and go ahead, at least you increase from n -> n+1 (your number of posts)

Dude, you just joined in May.
Per is one of the most helpful And knowledgeable guys here. What’s your deal?

As for the true dome; Greg and Jacek have done a great job - making as close to production as possible. It’s too bad rolex no longer makes them in “dome” form, so this is the next best thing.

[SaliBay2019]

Originally Posted by stmoore

Dude, you just joined in May.
Per is one of the most helpful And knowledgeable guys here. What’s your deal?

As for the true dome; Greg and Jacek have done a great job - making as close to production as possible. It’s too bad rolex no longer makes them in “dome” form, so this is the next best thing.

"Dude, you just joined in May"
What do you intend to say with that?

"What’s your deal?"
I have no "deal".

Please read the entire thread, then you may understand what I was kindly asking.

[J!m]

I was keeping quiet until now.

No one, certainly not Rolex, will be sharing the dimensions of this crystal. Best bet is to purchase an original and bisect it for reverse engineering. The crystal will be expensive, but that will be eclipsed by the laboratory costs. If I had made that investment I certainly would not give it away for the asking.

No free lunch.

[BrazenC5]

Originally Posted by SaliBay2019

"Dude, you just joined in May"
What do you intend to say with that?

"What’s your deal?"
I have no "deal".

Please read the entire thread, then you may understand what I was kindly asking.

I guess that didn't last long.

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[Nikrnic]

Impressive and looks like a savior for a quality replacement...

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[J!m]

Anyone know when they will be in stock? Nothing on the site and no contact ability to enquire...

[SunTzu]

Originally Posted by J!m

Anyone know when they will be in stock? Nothing on the site and no contact ability to enquire...

You can contact them through DM on Instagram if you have an account


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[tekno]

How much does an original crystal cost for these watches?


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