Why is the cyclops necessary?

[socialpro]

Why does rolex and other manufacturers put a cyclops on the face of the watch?

In most instances there is more then enough room to just increase the size of the 'date' itself on the face of the watch to eliminate the need of anything extra on the face of the watch. I do mind it - just curious as to the reason!

[drifter01]

You can't increase the size of the date because you need room under the dial for 31 numbers. They make the date as big as possible. The cyclops is for those of use who have a hard time reading the small date numbers without it. Rolex magnification is greater than most because it is Rolex after all, and most people appreciate it. It makes reading the date much easier.

[Rocket_Man]

The date is on a wheel and has to fit 31 numbers on it. The font is as large as they can make it. The other option is to use two date wheels, one with 0-9 and one with 0-3. Rolex movements (so far) use a single date wheel.

[socialpro]

Originally Posted by Rocket_Man

The date is on a wheel and has to fit 31 numbers on it. The font is as large as they can make it. The other option is to use two date wheels, one with 0-9 and one with 0-3. Rolex movements (so far) use a single date wheel.

OK makes perfect sense now. The bulkier numbers would need to go somewhere on a 31 day wheel.

[diracpoint]

With bigger date fonts, it is hard to fit all 31 numbers on the date wheel, which has a fixed circumference, limited by the dial size.

To avoid cyclops, many manufactures (JLC, IWC, Lange etc.) use a "big date" mechanism,

[Tools]

Originally Posted by socialpro

Why does rolex and other manufacturers put a cyclops on the face of the watch?

In most instances there is more then enough room to just increase the size of the 'date' itself on the face of the watch to eliminate the need of anything extra on the face of the watch. I do mind it - just curious as to the reason!

It's a signature look, nothing more.

Too many folks try to come up with some lame reason - and there isn't one.

It's a very recognizable part of the Rolex mystique and copied by some other makers who want to capitalize on that look.

[blue lion]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's a signature look, nothing more.

Too many folks try to come up with some lame reason - and there isn't one.

It's a very recognizable part of the Rolex mystique and copied by some other makers who want to capitalize on that look.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's a signature look, nothing more.

Too many folks try to come up with some lame reason - and there isn't one.

It's a very recognizable part of the Rolex mystique and copied by some other makers who want to capitalize on that look.

^^^This^^^







I love the cyclops. Lots of other brands to choose from if you aren't feeling Rolex's signature design cue.

[RHIII]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's a signature look, nothing more.



Too many folks try to come up with some lame reason - and there isn't one.



It's a very recognizable part of the Rolex mystique and copied by some other makers who want to capitalize on that look.

👍👍


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[Hollister]

It's a design flaw.

[Anthon]

Originally Posted by Hollister

It's a design flaw.

I would not call it a flaw, but it does annoy me.
For the folks with reading glasses I guess it's fine. For the rest of us, it just needlessly screams the date every time we simply want to check the time. I am still trying to get used to it with my new Submariner Date.

Called my AD asking to remove the cyclops. They refused.

[kromdom]

Originally Posted by Anthon

I would not call it a flaw, but it does annoy me.
For the folks with reading glasses I guess it's fine. For the rest of us, it just needlessly screams the date every time we simply want to check the time. I am still trying to get used to it with my new Submariner Date.

Called my AD asking to remove the cyclops. They refused.

I have to ask why on earth you did you buy this watch?

[Tique DDS]

Originally Posted by kromdom

I have to ask why on earth you did you buy this watch?

X2 😂


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[hoanghung45]

Originally Posted by Tique DDS

X2 ��


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x3
If you don't like it, don't buy it and please do us a favour do not complain about it.

[Oat Willy]

Originally Posted by Tique DDS

X2 ��


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X2.5

[DaveDhc]

Originally Posted by kromdom

I have to ask why on earth you did you buy this watch?

In my case, I bought a submariner with date and after leaving the dealer, I had dinner and was looking at the watch. I realized quickly that I did not like the magnifier and went right back to the dealer. I told them I could not deal with the magnifier and so I wanted to return the watch. I was willing to lose money on the transaction. But the dealer brought out a Sea Dweller and I said "perfect".

Had I not acted right away, I would probably also be trying to deal with the magnifier. As to why I would buy the watch, I guess I was too excited to notice all of its design features in the heat of the moment.

[Rocket_Man]

Originally Posted by DaveDhc

In my case, I bought a submariner with date and after leaving the dealer, I had dinner and was looking at the watch. I realized quickly that I did not like the magnifier and went right back to the dealer. I told them I could not deal with the magnifier and so I wanted to return the watch. I was willing to lose money on the transaction. But the dealer brought out a Sea Dweller and I said "perfect".

Had I not acted right away, I would probably also be trying to deal with the magnifier. As to why I would buy the watch, I guess I was too excited to notice all of its design features in the heat of the moment.

You could have had it removed. The AD could have offered to do it, or tell you it coull be done. But instead they took more of your money.

[Anthon]

Originally Posted by kromdom

I have to ask why on earth you did you buy this watch?

Funny how this question is always asked when one dares to question the cyclops! I wanted a Submariner and I wanted the date complication. I don't hate the cyclops enough not to buy a Submariner Date, but at the same time I dislike it enough to say that to me it's just a useless piece of transparent stone, glued to one of the most beautiful watch designs in its kind.

And no, I don't want the SeaDweller. I'm not going to spend 1K more on a watch just to get rid of a $20 marble. Once I'm sure I won't flip my Sub, I'll remove the cyclops.

[greggsiam]

I could never own a cyclops watch, not just because I don't like the look, but because I get a very slight vertigo every time I look at the date. There's something about the magnification that makes me a bit dizzy.

[DaveDhc]

Originally Posted by Anthon

... And no, I don't want the SeaDweller. I'm not going to spend 1K more on a watch just to get rid of a $20 marble. ...

I can understand this. For me, having a Sea Dweller makes me feel like I have a historical connection to an important development by Rolex. The company was paving new ground and attempting to build a watch that could withstand deep diving. The current watch is visually very close to the original. The Sea Dweller has a different history from the Submariner.

I also have watches from the 50s and I enjoy them for the same reason that I enjoy the Sea Dweller. So for me, the difference between the Submariner and Sea Dweller is more than a slight case difference and a magnifier. Is it worth the extra money? For me it is even though my original reason for getting it had more to do with elimination of the magnifier.

[HiloBeMagical]

Originally Posted by Anthon

I would not call it a flaw, but it does annoy me.
For the folks with reading glasses I guess it's fine. For the rest of us, it just needlessly screams the date every time we simply want to check the time. I am still trying to get used to it with my new Submariner Date.

Called my AD asking to remove the cyclops. They refused.

That's one reason why Sea Dwellers rock. Just sayin'. :D

[osamu]

Didn't someone post recently of a Rolex big date patent? so might be something coming, but who's knows for what, maybe a Cellini.

[Hollister]

In many ways my favourite Rolex is my 5513.

[toolr]

I don't find it necessary at all...

[kirksingleton]

I like the look and the usefulness

[landroverking]

Old eyes!

[Tique DDS]

Starting in 1954, the Rolex cyclops has adorned Rolex DateJusts making the date easier to read by magnifying it by 2.5 times. According to Rolex lore and history, Hans Wilsdorf’s wife had difficulty reading the original date window on her watch. Subsequently, Hans Wilsdorf had the magnification cyclops added to the DateJust.

Not a "lame reason" by far. But that is the initial and REAL reason!

So it may be a "signature look" now. But thats not why it started.


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[77T]

My wife hates what she calls "that bump". She like clean designs.
Now as to why? Because Rolex made a choice to keep the basic architecture of a single date wheel. For those who commented that you can't fit larger numbers on the wheel - very true - but don't think only inside the box.
Others use dual date wheels. So one has only 4 positions and the other has 10 positions. So those numbers can be much more legible and no need for magnification.

Edit: sharing just one example to illustrate that OP has a good point...




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[scotttampa]

Because it's cool.

[Jack T]

What other maker magnifies the date?