Acryilic vs Crystal

[SkyKing31]

I have a 1984 TT Gents Datejust in my collection .. I was wondering if I should update it by changing the acrylic with a saphire crystal .. Any thoughts??

[marshallr47]

Robert,
I know they make replacement sapphire crystals for many different Rolex watches. However, I'm not sure if they are completely waterproof. I know there have been people here on TRF that have done it and have been pleased. I have a '67 Oyster Perpetual and it has an acrylic. I do like the look of that watch and will keep it that way. I think, it adds to the character of when the watch was made as well as the time frame in which it was made. My suggestion is to leave it as it. Best of luck on your decision.

[SkyKing31]

Ron ... Thanks ... I think you are right, and I should leave the watch the way it is .. It was my fathers watch, and the more I think about it the more I want to keep it as it is .. Perhaps I sould send it to New York and have them polish the crystal for me .. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Robbie Wilsdorf

[sea-dweller]

I would keep it original. I feel the you would retain the value of your watch in case you ever wanted to sell it one day.

[SkyKing31]

I do love the watch .. It is more special than the others

[sea-dweller]

I actually think that the acrylic crystals feel lighter than the sapphire ones. My old GMT 16750 was acrylic and I loved the weight of it on my wrist.

[Randy9999]

Awhile back, I sent my 1603 (stainless steel Datejust, early '70s) to Bob Ridley for its first service in 20 years. I had seen replacement sapphire crystals advertised to replace the stock acrylic ones, bought one, and asked Bob to install that as part of the service. Bob politely and regretfully declined, basically saying that he wasn't the guy to work on the watch if that was something I required because he didn't believe the integrity of the oyster case (waterproof, pressure-rated, etc.) would be maintained with the high levels of certainty one would expect of a Rolex. I elected to replace the crystal with the correct Rolex branded acrylic one.

[SkyKing31]

Yeah .. As I say, it would be risky to change the watch .. I am sure Rolex can buff the scratches out of the acrylic .. I doubt that I will take the risk in changing the watch ... Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.

Robbie Wilsdorf

[Art161]

You don't want to buff scratches out of an acrylic crystal unless it is fairly new. Over time, the acrylic develops tiny cracks where it mates with the case. It is then no longer waterproof.

[SkyKing31]

See, the thing is .. I have 8 Rolex watches .. This datejust was my father's watch .. He is gone now, and the watch is very special to me .. I am far from being a Rolex expert .. I want to keep this watch as perfect as I can .. It is a beauty and I wear it all the time .. I know it sounds stupid, but this watch makes me feel as if I am still connected to my father. Thanks for taking the time to respond .. Merry Christmas.

Robbie Wilsdorf

[hdrazor251]

Originally Posted by SkyKing31

See, the thing is .. I have 8 Rolex watches .. This datejust was my father's watch .. He is gone now, and the watch is very special to me .. I am far from being a Rolex expert .. I want to keep this watch as perfect as I can .. It is a beauty and I wear it all the time .. I know it sounds stupid, but this watch makes me feel as if I am still connected to my father. Thanks for taking the time to respond .. Merry Christmas.

Robbie Wilsdorf

Not stupid as all. Merry Christmas to you.

[SkyKing31]

Thanks hdrazor251 ... Merry Christmas to you as well

Robbie Wilsdorf

[Randy9999]

Originally Posted by SkyKing31

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas -- and Happy Chanukah too! (Tonight was the 7th of 8 nights.)

[SkyKing31]

Likewise

Robbie Wilsdorf

[dddrees]

Its always nice to have something so near that reminds you of someone so dear.

Keeping it orginal in this case is what I would recomend as well.

[RolexABC]

I'd keep it original if I were you mate

[The GMT Master]

If you're worried about the scratches on it, you can polish them out yourself with a tube of Polywatch and a bit of elbow grease. Alternatively, Rolex will replace it gratis as part of a service

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Art161

You don't want to buff scratches out of an acrylic crystal unless it is fairly new. Over time, the acrylic develops tiny cracks where it mates with the case. It is then no longer waterproof.

Spot on! I have replaced original acrylic with a service crystal and kept the original for historical/collectible purposes. That way-you do not have to worry about moisture ruining the face and really compromising the value of the watch and you still maintain it's integrity. PS--I would load my picture showing them but file size too big--they are not visible to eye as they are where it mates with case as Art stated. Ruin a nice dial-ruin a watch. As long as you keep original you can always put it back on! You can't reverse damage to a dial!

[xjeeunitx]

Original is the way to go!

[SkyKing31]

Yeah .. I think keeping it the way it is would be best .. I just talked to Rolex, and the lady told me that Rolex can clean the crystal up for me .. Merry Christmas

Robbie Wilsdorf

[Randy9999]

Polywatch works wonders with regard to cleaning up an acrylic crystal... I bought a tiny tube of it at Amazon.com (but I'm sure it's available from multiple retailers).

[JBat]

Robert, another vote for keeping your watch original.

[HL65]

PS--Here is a photo of 48 year old crystal. The cracks not visible to eye unless removed from case. Again-I have it saved with boxes and papers but crystal replaced with service crystal on this watch as I would not want to damage a dial that makes up a good portion of value on this watch.

[slcbbrown]

Don't do it. They typically replace plastic crystals with a service-- they're cheap. If you modify your Rolex with a sapphire crystal, the waterproofness is suspect. Rolex won't service it without taking it back to acrylic, and plastic crystals are a very nice option.

I've got both acrylic and sapphire versions and like the sapphire, but I've worn Rolex since '73 and have never broken a plastic crystal. The sapphire crystals are not made to fit the plastic crystal cases.

[HL65]

The watch I am servicing now at Bob Ridley -photo above-the acrylic is being replaced with new old stock acrylic crystal which can be obtained if you look around. I am paying $150 dollars to get this early 1960's crystal. Again-also keeping original crystal with other accessories. It is up to you--again-on my 5512 gilt-the dial is worth a fortune and makes up a good portion of the value of watch. I can't take the chance of moisture getting thru tiny crack not visible to eye and compromising value of the watch. I also don't wear in water but who knows what father time can do. I agree on keeping it original as all of my watches are 100% original.
Here is a shot of her from Bob:

[robsteve]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

PS--Here is a photo of 48 year old crystal. The cracks not visible to eye unless removed from case. Again-I have it saved with boxes and papers but crystal replaced with service crystal on this watch as I would not want to damage a dial that makes up a good portion of value on this watch.
Attachment 177477

How do you know it is a 48 year old crystal? I didn't think there was any way to date them.

As to the original poster's question, just get a new crystal the next time it is serviced. They are pretty cheap in the $40-60 range and included in the price of most standard services. It is also most likely your watch does not have its original crystal if it has ever been serviced in the past.

Robert

[HL65]

Everything on it is original. I know as Mr. Ridley has verified that. It is a one owner watch that if fully documented and 100% complete.
I guess I am fortunate as all of my watches have original crystals-some a bit more scratched than others but none too badly.

[Randy9999]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

The watch I am servicing now at Bob Ridley -photo above-the acrylic is being replaced with new old stock acrylic crystal which can be obtained if you look around. I am paying $150 dollars to get this early 1960's crystal. Again-also keeping original crystal with other accessories. It is up to you--again-on my 5512 gilt-the dial is worth a fortune and makes up a good portion of the value of watch. I can't take the chance of moisture getting thru tiny crack not visible to eye and compromising value of the watch. I also don't wear in water but who knows what father time can do. I agree on keeping it original as all of my watches are 100% original.
Here is a shot of her from Bob:
Attachment 177486

Stunning watch!

[robsteve]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Everything on it is original. I know as Mr. Ridley has verified that. It is a one owner watch that if fully documented and 100% complete.

Are you saying that Bob is the first to service it since new or did previous services not include a new crystal?

If it is the original crystal, it is no wonder the watch is in great shape.

Robert

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Randy9999

Stunning watch!

Thanks Randy!!