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Nick Hacko · 23 August 2007, 10:42 AM

.

USMCsilver · 23 August 2007, 11:03 AM

Nick, great work! And excellent pictures as always! Interesting that the crystal will shatter after a, what, 3' fall? Kinda surprised myself...

Oh, and how do you think that shard made its way under the dial? Looks to bid to have gotten in through the date window, and looks too large to squeeze b/t the chapter ring and dial. Inquiring minds want to know!

robm · 23 August 2007, 11:25 AM

Nick, I love your posts! Thanks.

Rawhyde · 23 August 2007, 11:26 AM

Thanks for the pics and info, Nick.

You say that an acrylic crystal would probably be more durable in an "impact trauma", but how would synthetic sapphire rate in comparison? I'm making an assumption (possibly a bad one) that you're saying that this watch had a mineral glass crystal. Also, pls explain the difference between mineral glass, plain glass, and synthetic sapphire.

Thanks,

Rawhyde

bayhillrolex · 23 August 2007, 11:35 AM

This may be a stupid question but is the photo below of the face side or the backside of the watch internals ? (Sorry, I've never seen the inside of an automatic watch

)

ashu2289 · 23 August 2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayhillrolex

This may be a stupid question but is the photo below of the face side or the backside of the watch internals ? (Sorry, I've never seen the inside of an automatic watch

)

This is the back side.

Gr8 info Nick, I love ur posts. They are seriously educating.

gaopa · 23 August 2007, 12:01 PM

Thanks, Nick for posting. Such a shame that the watch took the lick it did. Hope it can be repaired to like new condition. Cheers, Bill P.

Tools · 23 August 2007, 12:11 PM

Geez...I've smacked mine pretty hard and not seen any damage..I'm amazed a drop onto a floor could do damage like that..

astcell · 23 August 2007, 01:26 PM

How many different crystals are there that Rolex used, and are they all as susceptible to similar damage? Will the cyclops hurt worse since it can direct a majority of the impact? Can Rolex do anything about this since they know it happens?

MassiveAttack · 23 August 2007, 01:51 PM

great info. thanks nick.

Iceman · 23 August 2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

To my surprise balance wheel and escape wheel shock absorbers were not 'activated'.

Hi Nick,

Can I trouble you to explain or point me to some info on how the shock absorbers are supposed to activate?

Thanks in advance. Cheers!

grm35 · 23 August 2007, 06:21 PM

Just out of curiousity, why is someone who is NOT "a Rolex trained watchmaker and (has) no access to Rolex support or technical documentation" working on this watch?

walds11 · 23 August 2007, 07:24 PM

Nick, I love your educational tidbits. Keep brining 'em on.

frostie · 23 August 2007, 08:23 PM

great post. good pics

SPACE-DWELLER · 23 August 2007, 09:35 PM

Interesting post, Nick

I am glad the Rolex could be saved

Say? Do I see a "Maxi Dial" on that Sub Date? Looks like an "LV" with a black bezel.

jac67 · 23 August 2007, 09:44 PM

Um Bo, you disappoint me...........

The dial is Tritium. See bottom SWISS - T < 25, hence pre- 1998 (up to U Series).

John.

SPACE-DWELLER · 23 August 2007, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jac67

Um Bo, you disappoint me...........

The dial is Tritium. See bottom SWISS - T < 25, hence pre- 1998 (up to U Series).

John.

Aw, yeah! Stupid me!

Didn't think of looking for that. Right you are

Still: Those markers and the minute hand are larger than normal, aren't they?

jac67 · 23 August 2007, 10:07 PM

Bo, man, you were quick.

John.

Alcan · 23 August 2007, 10:07 PM

Great shots, Nick. I guess harder = more brittle.

Solar · 23 August 2007, 10:11 PM

And can one buy an acrylic crystal for most modern sports Rolexes?

I guess this is a good reason why NASA chose the hesalite crystaled-Speedy for space travel.......zero G and floating glass be a problem.

Atomant · 23 August 2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solar

And can one buy an acrylic crystal for most modern sports Rolexes?

I guess this is a good reason why NASA chose the hesalite crystaled-Speedy for space travel.......zero G and floating glass be a problem.

hmm, just makes me wonder, why wouldn't floating hexalite be a problem?

Solar · 23 August 2007, 11:19 PM

Becasue Hesalite tends to crack under the same/similar impact, but not shatter. Worst case scenario, you smack your crystal and end up with replaceable damage. Think of a plastic peanut butter jar and a glass jar. One will crack, one will shatter............

C

Vanessa CW21 · 24 August 2007, 02:01 AM

Great post Nick, it's so hard to try to explain this to customers.

I get a cracked crystal like this almost every week in my shop! Tile floor and sapphire crystals do not like eachother!

I always do a complete service on the watch, if the customer doesn't like it, I just don't do anything! So far 100% of the watches with cracked crystals, had glass inside the movement! Even if they didn't have a date window...

Anyways, thank you Nick!

Vanessa

SobeSVT · 24 August 2007, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCsilver

Nick, great work! And excellent pictures as always! Interesting that the crystal will shatter after a, what, 3' fall? Kinda surprised myself...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tool

Geez...I've smacked mine pretty hard and not seen any damage..I'm amazed a drop onto a floor could do damage like that..

The problem is the ceramic [I am assuming it was a ceramic tiled floor]. For some reason that I don't know, maybe molecular density, minimum force impacts with ceramic causes glass to shatter.

Here in south florida where is not an uncommon occurrence to fall on ponds in your car is always recommended to have a spark plug in your glove compartment as it will easily shatter the window of a drowning car.

Cermic tiles are NOT a sapphire crystal equipped Rolex best friend.

Ironstark · 24 August 2007, 03:27 AM

Great pictures. As you say a broken crystal means a complete overhaul is essential.

jhelms · 24 August 2007, 05:14 AM

Great pics, always informative to read about things like this that we should keep in mind. That was the major item my dealer told me when we bought our watches - never take them off in any room with tile, they stressed that several times to us.

Thanks for passing along information like this.

S2000 Driver · 24 August 2007, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

...To my surprise balance wheel and escape wheel shock absorbers were not 'activated'...

Nick,

How do you account for this?

Angle of impact, insufficient g-force, something else?

What is the design spec for activation?

Downing · 24 August 2007, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

***

PS : I am posting here (again) because I believe some of the members may find this post of 'educative value'. However I would kindly ask ALL MEMBERS to refrain from comments, either positive, neutral or negative. If you have specific question related to this particular post which may benefit other members then I'll try to answer you question to best of my ability. Thank you.

Um, at the risk of pi$$ing you off, Nick, I just want to say thanks for the information. I'm pretty new here and don't know what went on before that made you ask us not to comment so I'll just be going now...

S2000 Driver · 26 August 2007, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S2000 Driver

Nick,

How do you account for this?

Angle of impact, insufficient g-force, something else?

What is the design spec for activation?

Nick,

You there?

JJ Irani · 26 August 2007, 06:02 AM

Thanks for the excellent pics and info, Nick. Also glad you decided to come back to TRF!!

Cheers - JJ

23 August 2007, 10:42 AM	#1
Nick Hacko Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: . Posts: 274	7 . Last edited by Nick Hacko; 28 August 2007 at 08:42 PM..

23 August 2007, 11:03 AM	#2
USMCsilver "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Sterling Location: Middle of SC Watch: Anniv. GMT II Posts: 908	Nick, great work! And excellent pictures as always! Interesting that the crystal will shatter after a, what, 3' fall? Kinda surprised myself... Oh, and how do you think that shard made its way under the dial? Looks to bid to have gotten in through the date window, and looks too large to squeeze b/t the chapter ring and dial. Inquiring minds want to know! __________________ The Original USMCsilver© ~~><~~

23 August 2007, 09:35 PM	#15
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	Interesting post, Nick I am glad the Rolex could be saved Say? Do I see a "Maxi Dial" on that Sub Date? Looks like an "LV" with a black bezel. __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

23 August 2007, 10:07 PM	#19
Alcan 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Al Location: Way Up North Watch: your P's & Q's Posts: 10,473	Great shots, Nick. I guess harder = more brittle. __________________ Member #1,315 I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!

24 August 2007, 05:14 AM	#26
jhelms "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: GA, USA Watch: SS Sub / SS DJ Posts: 221	Great pics, always informative to read about things like this that we should keep in mind. That was the major item my dealer told me when we bought our watches - never take them off in any room with tile, they stressed that several times to us. Thanks for passing along information like this. __________________ His - SS Submariner Date Hers - SS Oyster Date, Blue Dial "SS Daytona Waiting List" Member NO LONGER!

23 August 2007, 11:25 AM	#3
robm "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: colorado Posts: 262	Nick, I love your posts! Thanks.

23 August 2007, 11:26 AM	#4
Rawhyde Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Craig Location: NW Georgia Watch: Blue Sub+Tud Chron Posts: 834	Thanks for the pics and info, Nick. You say that an acrylic crystal would probably be more durable in an "impact trauma", but how would synthetic sapphire rate in comparison? I'm making an assumption (possibly a bad one) that you're saying that this watch had a mineral glass crystal. Also, pls explain the difference between mineral glass, plain glass, and synthetic sapphire. Thanks, Rawhyde

23 August 2007, 11:35 AM	#5
bayhillrolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: C-rad Location: Louisiana Watch: YM116655 EverRose Posts: 308	This may be a stupid question but is the photo below of the face side or the backside of the watch internals ? (Sorry, I've never seen the inside of an automatic watch )

23 August 2007, 12:01 PM	#7
gaopa "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: .. Watch: Rolex Explorer II Posts: 1,820	Thanks, Nick for posting. Such a shame that the watch took the lick it did. Hope it can be repaired to like new condition. Cheers, Bill P.

23 August 2007, 12:11 PM	#8
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,514	Geez...I've smacked mine pretty hard and not seen any damage..I'm amazed a drop onto a floor could do damage like that..

23 August 2007, 01:26 PM	#9
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	How many different crystals are there that Rolex used, and are they all as susceptible to similar damage? Will the cyclops hurt worse since it can direct a majority of the impact? Can Rolex do anything about this since they know it happens?

23 August 2007, 01:51 PM	#10
MassiveAttack Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: Nick Location: Mojave Desert Watch: your target Posts: 157	great info. thanks nick.

23 August 2007, 06:21 PM	#12
grm35 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney, AU Posts: 22	Just out of curiousity, why is someone who is NOT "a Rolex trained watchmaker and (has) no access to Rolex support or technical documentation" working on this watch?

23 August 2007, 07:24 PM	#13
walds11 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Adam Location: Philly ‘burbs Posts: 5,660	Nick, I love your educational tidbits. Keep brining 'em on.

23 August 2007, 08:23 PM	#14
frostie 1,000,000th PostMember Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 14,048	great post. good pics

23 August 2007, 09:44 PM	#16
jac67 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: John Location: Australia Watch: Me Posts: 1,950	Um Bo, you disappoint me........... The dial is Tritium. See bottom SWISS - T < 25, hence pre- 1998 (up to U Series). John.

23 August 2007, 10:07 PM	#18
jac67 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: John Location: Australia Watch: Me Posts: 1,950	Bo, man, you were quick. John.

23 August 2007, 10:11 PM	#20
Solar "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North America Watch: their hands, baby. Posts: 1,116	And can one buy an acrylic crystal for most modern sports Rolexes? I guess this is a good reason why NASA chose the hesalite crystaled-Speedy for space travel.......zero G and floating glass be a problem.

23 August 2007, 11:19 PM	#22
Solar "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North America Watch: their hands, baby. Posts: 1,116	Becasue Hesalite tends to crack under the same/similar impact, but not shatter. Worst case scenario, you smack your crystal and end up with replaceable damage. Think of a plastic peanut butter jar and a glass jar. One will crack, one will shatter............ C

24 August 2007, 02:01 AM	#23
Vanessa CW21 TechXpert & 2016 Patron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mx Posts: 1,572	Great post Nick, it's so hard to try to explain this to customers. I get a cracked crystal like this almost every week in my shop! Tile floor and sapphire crystals do not like eachother! I always do a complete service on the watch, if the customer doesn't like it, I just don't do anything! So far 100% of the watches with cracked crystals, had glass inside the movement! Even if they didn't have a date window... Anyways, thank you Nick! Vanessa

24 August 2007, 03:27 AM	#25
Ironstark TechXpert Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rolex world Watch: SS/W Skydweller Posts: 527	Great pictures. As you say a broken crystal means a complete overhaul is essential.

26 August 2007, 06:02 AM	#30
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	Thanks for the excellent pics and info, Nick. Also glad you decided to come back to TRF!! Cheers - JJ __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

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