plexi dome T19

[tostan]

hello I want an opinion
is that someone has already put this tropic 19 from Clark on its 5513
is it good quality
is it like a dome or service dome
the watch is it waterproof with this plexi

thank

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Crystal-Ref-...item3a83423e9d

[pdoukas]

Hold off on the Clark's. I will chime in a little later, but you'll want to hear what I have to say. Let me get settled in the office today.

[pdoukas]

I apologize for the delay, it's been an interesting Monday for me today.

What I am about to comment on is strictly from my own personal experience. It is not intended as "defacto" regarding the usage of Clark's crystals.

Earlier in the year I had a wild hair to replace the crystals on my 2 subs. I half heartedly looked for T39 SD's that bore the Rolex name, and when I say half heartedly I mean I was having a hard time swallowing the amount of money I was going to have to pay if I was lucky enough to find one.

That being said, I took a page from another member in here and decided to take a stab at using the Clark's T39 SD.

In the beginning I was happier than a virgin in a pre-paid house of ill repute. But the love affair ended and here's why.

The first sub developed a moisture issue, even after getting it pressure tested. I had to medivac it to one of our watchmakers we use on the forum. I was lucky, no damage. Becasue of that, I had the second ne pressure tested again and it failed. I had to use a loop, but I found a crack at the base of the crystal.

I spoke with the watchmaker, one who a lot of us use, and he told me that he has spoken with the maker of the Clark's crystal and the bottom line is that although it is the closest to being equivilent to the original T39 SD, it's still far from perfect.

So where does that leave me? Well, I'm a glutton for punishment so I bought a third T39 from Clark's and installed it on my 5513....again. And again, there is another small crack at the base. Since I do not wear this watch outside, and I live in AZ, I'm relativly safe for the time being.......but I'm playing the odds. Bottom line is, I am going to replace it very soon becasue I absolutely love this watch.In fact, I love it more than my red sub.

So here's my take, no more T39's for me from Clark's. Period end of story. Maybe I got a bad batch, who's to say. I'm certainly not knocking the product, but it's just not for me.

I'm going to buy a T39 SD with the Rolex label and suck up the cost and see if I'm any better off. In the meantime, I concede to all of those of you who have said time and time again.......stay away from the aftermarket crystals. For those of you considering the alternative, well, I wish you better luck than me. I'm lucky, no damage, but it could have happened.

[linesiders]

I am interested in reshaping a service T19 one of these days but I am curious what other aftermarket options there are

[scottb2]

t-19 superdome rolex only for your sub very cool original look
t-19 service dome not as cool looking but better protection

same deal with the domes (39) on a sea dweller

IMHO dont by anything that isnt rolex to put on a rolex unless its a NATO - thats my .02

[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by pdoukas

I apologize for the delay, it's been an interesting Monday for me today.

What I am about to comment on is strictly from my own personal experience. It is not intended as "defacto" regarding the usage of Clark's crystals.

Earlier in the year I had a wild hair to replace the crystals on my 2 subs. I half heartedly looked for T39 SD's that bore the Rolex name, and when I say half heartedly I mean I was having a hard time swallowing the amount of money I was going to have to pay if I was lucky enough to find one.

That being said, I took a page from another member in here and decided to take a stab at using the Clark's T39 SD.

In the beginning I was happier than a virgin in a pre-paid house of ill repute. But the love affair ended and here's why.

The first sub developed a moisture issue, even after getting it pressure tested. I had to medivac it to one of our watchmakers we use on the forum. I was lucky, no damage. Becasue of that, I had the second ne pressure tested again and it failed. I had to use a loop, but I found a crack at the base of the crystal.

I spoke with the watchmaker, one who a lot of us use, and he told me that he has spoken with the maker of the Clark's crystal and the bottom line is that although it is the closest to being equivilent to the original T39 SD, it's still far from perfect.

So where does that leave me? Well, I'm a glutton for punishment so I bought a third T39 from Clark's and installed it on my 5513....again. And again, there is another small crack at the base. Since I do not wear this watch outside, and I live in AZ, I'm relativly safe for the time being.......but I'm playing the odds. Bottom line is, I am going to replace it very soon becasue I absolutely love this watch.In fact, I love it more than my red sub.

So here's my take, no more T39's for me from Clark's. Period end of story. Maybe I got a bad batch, who's to say. I'm certainly not knocking the product, but it's just not for me.

I'm going to buy a T39 SD with the Rolex label and suck up the cost and see if I'm any better off. In the meantime, I concede to all of those of you who have said time and time again.......stay away from the aftermarket crystals. For those of you considering the alternative, well, I wish you better luck than me. I'm lucky, no damage, but it could have happened.

Thanks for the candid info

[MitchSteel]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Kingair]

Thanks for sharing

HAGOne

[swish77]

Originally Posted by pdoukas

I apologize for the delay, it's been an interesting Monday for me today.

What I am about to comment on is strictly from my own personal experience. It is not intended as "defacto" regarding the usage of Clark's crystals.

Earlier in the year I had a wild hair to replace the crystals on my 2 subs. I half heartedly looked for T39 SD's that bore the Rolex name, and when I say half heartedly I mean I was having a hard time swallowing the amount of money I was going to have to pay if I was lucky enough to find one.

That being said, I took a page from another member in here and decided to take a stab at using the Clark's T39 SD.

In the beginning I was happier than a virgin in a pre-paid house of ill repute. But the love affair ended and here's why.

The first sub developed a moisture issue, even after getting it pressure tested. I had to medivac it to one of our watchmakers we use on the forum. I was lucky, no damage. Becasue of that, I had the second ne pressure tested again and it failed. I had to use a loop, but I found a crack at the base of the crystal.

I spoke with the watchmaker, one who a lot of us use, and he told me that he has spoken with the maker of the Clark's crystal and the bottom line is that although it is the closest to being equivilent to the original T39 SD, it's still far from perfect.

So where does that leave me? Well, I'm a glutton for punishment so I bought a third T39 from Clark's and installed it on my 5513....again. And again, there is another small crack at the base. Since I do not wear this watch outside, and I live in AZ, I'm relativly safe for the time being.......but I'm playing the odds. Bottom line is, I am going to replace it very soon becasue I absolutely love this watch.In fact, I love it more than my red sub.

So here's my take, no more T39's for me from Clark's. Period end of story. Maybe I got a bad batch, who's to say. I'm certainly not knocking the product, but it's just not for me.

I'm going to buy a T39 SD with the Rolex label and suck up the cost and see if I'm any better off. In the meantime, I concede to all of those of you who have said time and time again.......stay away from the aftermarket crystals. For those of you considering the alternative, well, I wish you better luck than me. I'm lucky, no damage, but it could have happened.

After reading this, I think we should get the word out not to use Clark's crystals. I had a very similar experience with my DRSD 1665, with two Clark's T-39 crystals cracking at the base and even splintering through the face of the crystal. Fortunately, nothing bad happened to my Sea-Dweller because it was being serviced at ABC Watchwerks while we were trying to figure out the crystal issue. (Still, it was a huge headache.) After the first Clark's T-39 cracked after about a week, I was told it must have been a fluke and the company sent me another one, but that one also developed severe cracking within a week. See the photos below. It's just not worth the risk, and the fact that Clark's knows about these defects and still sells its crystals is not good. Someone could end up with severe damage to a very valuable vintage Rolex if they don't know about these problems. Bottom line is that a couple of hundred bucks extra for a real Rolex crystal is well worth it when you consider the alternative.

[watchcrank]

As much as I love the dome crystal look if you are going to wear your watch around any moisture use a new Rolex acrylic replacement. They seal and protect properly from my experience. I buy and install old superdomes 19, 38's, 127's etc. and most will have cracks due to age and would never believe these would be safe around water. Just my 2 cents, other results may vary. Luck, M

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by watchcrank

As much as I love the dome crystal look if you are going to wear your watch around any moisture use a new Rolex acrylic replacement. They seal and protect properly from my experience. I buy and install old superdomes 19, 38's, 127's etc. and most will have cracks due to age and would never believe these would be safe around water. Just my 2 cents, other results may vary. Luck, M

You can do a pressure check from time to time but still . . .

HAGOne

[watchcrank]

:-) Yes and do but just because it passes once........and my dials are of more importance to me let alone the movement. Sage advice for pressure testing on a regular basis especially if an older watch and used as intended for diving etc. Good thought! M

[Jason71]

Excellent info regarding the Clark crystals. What about the authentic Rolex T39 service crystal that ABC Watchworks shaved down to look like a vintage super dome T39? It seems to me that this might be a good alternative........

I can't seem to find that thread with the watch that had come back with this modified crystal.......but I remember seeing it.

[scottb2]

Jason - Bob Ridley will do the same thing for you and he states its 100% fine

you just gotta pay the $$$$

[nycpassat]

Has anyone ever had any experience with instaling a crystal made by Borel?

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by pdoukas

So where does that leave me? Well, I'm a glutton for punishment so I bought a third T39 from Clark's and installed it on my 5513....again. And again, there is another small crack at the base. Since I do not wear this watch outside, and I live in AZ, I'm relativly safe for the time being.......but I'm playing the odds. Bottom line is, I am going to replace it very soon becasue I absolutely love this watch.In fact, I love it more than my red sub.

So here's my take, no more T39's for me from Clark's. Period end of story. Maybe I got a bad batch, who's to say. I'm certainly not knocking the product, but it's just not for me.

.

Originally Posted by swish77

After reading this, I think we should get the word out not to use Clark's crystals. .

Could pd and swish share how the crystals were pressed on to the watch case and what machine was used?

Thanks
Cd

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

Could pd and swish share how the crystals were pressed on to the watch case and what machine was used?

Thanks
Cd

I had a very reputable watchmaker, one who a lot of us use, install mine. I'm sure they used the correct procedure, as they have serviced thousands of our watches. I'm not naming names because it isn't the watchmaker, it's definetly the crystal.

[Glenn422]

Glad i didn't pull the trigger on one of the clark's T39..

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by scottb2

Jason - Bob Ridley will do the same thing for you and he states its 100% fine

you just gotta pay the $$$$

I don't have any experience with this sort of thing. I have used Bob Ridley to service 3 or 4 of my watches and I do know that anything he does is top-notch and at premium expense. Is ABC cost-prohibitive for a crystal modification such as this??

[scottb2]

Can't speak to abc's prices or work with this kind of thig. I have heard good things abt then though. Anyone help here ??

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by scottb2

Can't speak to abc's prices or work with this kind of thig. I have heard good things abt then though. Anyone help here ??

They do great work and they currently have my SM300 in for a service


Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse spelling, punctuation, and brevity.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

Could pd and swish share how the crystals were pressed on to the watch case and what machine was used?

Thanks
Cd

I'm not sure the exact procedure ABC Watchwerks used in fitting the crystals, but I'm confident it was done correctly and with the correct machine. This is a top-notch service center for vintage and modern Rolexes, and it is relied upon by many vintage dealers, some of whom sell on this site. I ended up getting an authentic Rolex T-39 for my Sea-Dweller and it was installed by ABC after the two Clarks crystals cracked. The original T-39 is working perfectly, passed all pressure tests, and has not cracked, of course.

[tostan]

many of you talking about their experience with the T39 Clark.
I wanted to know if you try the T19 at Clark on your 5513
and what was the result
thank you

[INDECS]

I was also considering trying one of the clark superdome crystals for my Tudor Snowflake.
After reading all this and several other threads I think I'm gonna pass.

Cracking, bad waterproofing and I've also read they're not as clear as the Rolex plexis.

Too bad, because the shape looks much better than a service T19.

What about brands like G.S. or Sternkreuz for fit and waterproofing?
Any first hand experiences?

On VRM there's a topic about a Michael Young plexi which is very close to a T19 superdome in shape, with a very nice lens effect. Interesting but very little info on the source and availabilty.

[jolimont]

great thread and info here with particular thanks to pdoukas

[tostan]

hello
I have started again this topic
because I still have not found a T19 superdome.
maybe since one of you to find an address or a solution.
I contacted Clark, who assured me he never had a problem sealing with Plexis.
your evidence proves otherwise

[swish77]

I said it months ago, and I'll say it again, proceed at your own risk with Clarks. The company owner is a good guy; it's not personal. But I had two bad experiences with his crystals, as detailed above with photos. Check out the VRF forum for a real T19, or post a WTB there. For a couple (several?) hundred bucks you should be able to get an authentic T19. And when it's going on a watch that presumably is worth thousands _ and in some cases many thousands _ why even consider taking a chance? Would you put cheap aftermarket tires on your vintage Porsche and risk a blow-out that would put you into a light pole? Of course not! Good luck either way.

[Antoinerob]

Originally Posted by tostan

hello
I have started again this topic
because I still have not found a T19 superdome.
maybe since one of you to find an address or a solution.
I contacted Clark, who assured me he never had a problem sealing with Plexis.
your evidence proves otherwise

If you send your watch for a full service at "antoine de macedo" repair shop in Paris you would be able to have a new old stock one put on your watch. I spoke with Antoine two weeks ago when I took back my 1680 after service and he confirmed he still have a few T19 in stock.
His work is not cheap but he is the best in class for the quality of the work done.

[tostan]

Originally Posted by Antoinerob

If you send your watch for a full service at "antoine de macedo" repair shop in Paris you would be able to have a new old stock one put on your watch. I spoke with Antoine two weeks ago when I took back my 1680 after service and he confirmed he still have a few T19 in stock.
His work is not cheap but he is the best in class for the quality of the work done.

thanks for the information

[tostan]

hi
do you now
the exact
outer diameter
inner diameter
the height
the thikness
for a superdome 25-19 for a rolex 5513