Rolex crown laser etched on sapphire crystal

[Dchen]

Originally Posted by Kosgad

I thoughthe, even the replacement crystals does have the LEC. Pl correct me if I was wrong.

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I agree, I thought the had it but with a 's' in them?


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[captain_NEMO]

Originally Posted by Kosgad

I thoughthe, even the replacement crystals does have the LEC. Pl correct me if I was wrong.

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Crystal wasn't replaced. Just movement/bezel insert/stem replace/polish. I don't think they will replace automatically, even when not asked. I could be mistaken.

[Kosgad]

Originally Posted by captain_NEMO

Crystal wasn't replaced. Just movement/bezel insert/stem replace/polish. I don't think they will replace automatically, even when not asked. I could be mistaken.

Then your watch will have one crown on the crystal. Take your time and let us know

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[Jocke]

I thought I know it all and had counted 170 engraving holes in a service-glass, but oh what I deceived me. When I saw the Rolex patent
application from 1997 where one clearly sees that there are stars that are engraved at different angles and height not so the glass will
lose its strength and crack. One sees the clearly that it is also a double row of stars in the crown the outer edge, so now it was suddenly
a lot more engraving holes. So now I have given up counting those without content myself with knowing it is a cruel little option that
proves that Rolex can work with precision, too.

[wolfmanxii]

Not sure if this was mentioned yet, but I saw this on a previous thread: Hold your cellphone flashlight angled at the laser etched crown, and when looked at from the side, it is much more visible.

[captain_NEMO]

Originally Posted by Kosgad

Then your watch will have one crown on the crystal. Take your time and let us know

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Hmmm...nothing. Loupe or no loupe, I cannot find one.

A breeze finding it on my 214270. Didn't even need a loupe.

I think I need to walk away from this site and all this OCD fear mongering business and just enjoy my watches.

Kidding - I love this site and a glutton for the teeny watch details.

[caprebels]

Just got the BLNR, so this is pretty cool. Heard it was there but I have never seen it. Going to see if I can see it tonight when I get home with the information I read here. High tech stuff....

[watchwatcher]

Very nice...thanks for the pics.

[rollee1]

Originally Posted by captain_NEMO

I'm half alarmed since I can't seem to find it on my K-serial 16600 - purchased in 2000-ish.

But it has been serviced by the RSC last winter, so I guess I can rolex...I mean, relax.

I have a K 16600, there's no LEC on it. The transition to Sea Dwellers happened later, I asked about it when I got mine when LEC was new, and was looking forward to it. I even upset my AD thinking he sold me a dud.

Crystals are not automatically replaced unless specificaly requested, or it has compromised water proofing.

[Alpino]

Originally Posted by captain_NEMO

I'm half alarmed since I can't seem to find it on my K-serial 16600 - purchased in 2000-ish.

Most professionnal , including GmtII/ExploII/Sub/SD, got the LEC in 2003.

Yours haven't ... it's normal

[captain_NEMO]

Originally Posted by rollee1

I have a K 16600, there's no LEC on it. The transition to Sea Dwellers happened later, I asked about it when I got mine when LEC was new, and was looking forward to it. I even upset my AD thinking he sold me a dud.

Crystals are not automatically replaced unless specificaly requested, or it has compromised water proofing.

Originally Posted by Alpino

Most professionnal , including GmtII/ExploII/Sub/SD, got the LEC in 2003.

Yours haven't ... it's normal

Rollee1/Alpino - thank you both for the info! You guys are exactly why this place is so addicting.

[VicLeChic]

I almost lost an eye trying to spot my LEC. Just about made it out with a 2.5x loupe and LED light. It's tiny, I have a feeling it's smaller in my 116622 YM than in OP's watch.

Can someone confirm if the size varies depending on the watch model ?

[htown]

Thanks for the pictures. Really cool to see it etched like that. It's pretty amazing that it can only be seen from certain angles.

[Loevhagen]

Originally Posted by rollee1

Gorgeous shot Bjoern.

Thanks. :)

Originally Posted by Kosgad

Absolutely stunning. How did you manage such a great picture.
One of the best picture I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you - I used an old Canon "50mm" lens reversed onto the 60mm f.8 macro lens from Olympus. Look-up "reverse lens macro". :)

[Rushne]

Hahaha some very cool shots.

I bought a new GMT IIc in June and asked the AD if it had the laser etched crown and he said.... "hmm... not sure... let me check" and brought out a loupe and could not find it. Then said maybe they have stopped doing it.

So I thought nothing of it and came across this thread and used the tip of using an LED light at an angle... worked a treat, need to make sure you're viewing at an angle as well to ensure the 6 o clock marker doesnt hide the LEC :)

So damn cool finding a new detail in your watch months later haha

[Kosgad]

Originally Posted by Rushne

Hahaha some very cool shots.

I bought a new GMT IIc in June and asked the AD if it had the laser etched crown and he said.... "hmm... not sure... let me check" and brought out a loupe and could not find it. Then said maybe they have stopped doing it.

So I thought nothing of it and came across this thread and used the tip of using an LED light at an angle... worked a treat, need to make sure you're viewing at an angle as well to ensure the 6 o clock marker doesnt hide the LEC :)

So damn cool finding a new detail in your watch months later haha

That's is fantastic. Time to show it to your mates and spread the joy.

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[Kosgad]

I would suggest to use 10x loop with wide exposure allowing enough light. Just to look just above 6 at an angle upwards. Try to vary the focal length to get the crown in focus. Probably shining light from 12 o'clock may help to locate the crown easily . once you learn the trick it would be much easier next time. Good luck.

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[Kosgad]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

Thanks. :)



Thank you - I used an old Canon "50mm" lens reversed onto the 60mm f.8 macro lens from Olympus. Look-up "reverse lens macro". :)

Thanks. Too complex for me😣

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[StanGMT]

Just checking - I've just acquired a 2009 Air King with sapphire crystal. Can't find an etched crown even with a loupe - should it have one?

Stan.

[StanGMT]

Originally Posted by StanGMT

Just checking - I've just acquired a 2009 Air King with sapphire crystal. Can't find an etched crown even with a loupe - should it have one?

Stan.

Correction! I've just found it using an LED light! Relief!

Stan.

[sean1976]

Found mine



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[red29ant]

Originally Posted by sean1976

Found mine



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[Mick P]

Chaps

I read this thread yesterday and later when I decided that I could afford to waste five minutes of my life, I got my LED pocket torch and shone it onto my 39mm Explorer from the 12 0 Clock position down to the 6 0 Clock.

I was only wearing my normal varifocal glasses ( I am an old crock of 67 years) and it took me all of 5 seconds to see the etched logo in all its glory.

It is small but it is legible.

You do not need magnifiers and if you genuinely do need one, I respectfully advise you to get yourself to an optician for new glasses because you are not safe to drive a car.

I repeated this at 2.00 am in the morning when I was sat outside in the dark trying to view the Persied comets and once again the logo came up within seconds and although small, was legible.

To conclude, the logo is small but readable with your normal eyesight and it is easy to shine the LED on it to bring it up.

Regards

Mick

[Kosgad]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Chaps

I read this thread yesterday and later when I decided that I could afford to waste five minutes of my life, I got my LED pocket torch and shone it onto my 39mm Explorer from the 12 0 Clock position down to the 6 0 Clock.

I was only wearing my normal varifocal glasses ( I am an old crock of 67 years) and it took me all of 5 seconds to see the etched logo in all its glory.

It is small but it is legible.

You do not need magnifiers and if you genuinely do need one, I respectfully advise you to get yourself to an optician for new glasses because you are not safe to drive a car.

I repeated this at 2.00 am in the morning when I was sat outside in the dark trying to view the Persied comets and once again the logo came up within seconds and although small, was legible.

To conclude, the logo is small but readable with your normal eyesight and it is easy to shine the LED on it to bring it up.

Regards

Mick

Thanks mick.
I am glad that you witnessed fabulous shower of asteroids and the rolex crown early hrs of this morning.
Yes i do agree with you that the crown can be seen with naked eye but to appreciate it's intrinsic details, you would probably need a loop.
Pl let us know the differences after use of a loop or magnifier.

Many thanks.

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[StanGMT]

[QUOTE=Mick P;6923104]Chaps

I read this thread yesterday and later when I decided that I could afford to waste five minutes of my life, I got my LED pocket torch and shone it onto my 39mm Explorer from the 12 0 Clock position down to the 6 0 Clock.

I was only wearing my normal varifocal glasses ( I am an old crock of 67 years) and it took me all of 5 seconds to see the etched logo in all its glory.

It is small but it is legible.

You do not need magnifiers and if you genuinely do need one, I respectfully advise you to get yourself to an optician for new glasses because you are not safe to drive a car.


Having found the etched crown on my Air King it really is barely visible - and my eyesight is good. Now I've identified it I can easily go back to it, but it is extremely faint and I can't see it without the magnifier. Looking at some of the photos here it seems to me that maybe not all etched crowns are equally clear.

Stan.

[Mick P]

Originally Posted by Kosgad

Thanks mick.
I am glad that you witnessed fabulous shower of asteroids and the rolex crown early hrs of this morning.
Yes i do agree with you that the crown can be seen with naked eye but to appreciate it's intrinsic details, you would probably need a loop.
Pl let us know the differences after use of a loop or magnifier.

Many thanks.

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Dear Kosgad

I only saw about a dozen asteroids thanks to too many clouds, so I am out again tonight but the outlook is grim as there are even more bloody clouds.

I have a nice Victorian magnifying glass tucked away somewhere and I shall let you know how I got on.

I thought (obviously mistakenly) that the etched logo was purely a security tool but I can take your point that once blown up, it could be a thing of artwork and beauty.

Regards

Mick

[redalert]

I have seen fake one with it, but the crown is larger than the real ones. It was much easier to find than finding it on the real rolex lol

[Kosgad]

Originally Posted by redalert

I have seen fake one with it, but the crown is larger than the real ones. It was much easier to find than finding it on the real rolex lol

Thanks for that information. Would you be able to share a photo of that crown to raise awareness among the members pl.

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[Kosgad]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Dear Kosgad

I only saw about a dozen asteroids thanks to too many clouds, so I am out again tonight but the outlook is grim as there are even more bloody clouds.

I have a nice Victorian magnifying glass tucked away somewhere and I shall let you know how I got on.

I thought (obviously mistakenly) that the etched logo was purely a security tool but I can take your point that once blown up, it could be a thing of artwork and beauty.

Regards

Mick

Yes mick I agree with you. I used 10x loop and managed to appreciate each and every details of the watch including HR markers, hands, letters on the dial and also at the rim and of course the most important LEC. Infact I was so fascinated with the idea of LEC, I bought a loop as soon as I bought my first rolex. Probably I am obsessed to it.

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[Big Bill]

Okay at first I thought this was some kind of trick unfortunately I don't own a 10xLoop so after looking from all angles and shining light on the dial and taking pictures and blowing them up. I think I found the crown not the best photos but check them out and let me know if this is it. Thanks





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