Laser-Etched Crystal, real or fake?

[BMWMotoRider]

After being worn out with trying to buy a Sea Dweller 43 through an AD, I ended up purchasing one via a grey through Chrono24. From everything I see with the watch, warranty card, weight of watch (192 g), great accuracy (within a second a week by varying crown up or crystal up at night), and buying from a dealer that also has a store front, it all seems completely legit. The only thing that gives me concern is the laser-etched crown seems so sloppy.

Is it from me taking a crappy macro photo or does this look like it could be a knock off? I believe the etching is done at different depths in the crystal so maybe a little parallax issue that makes it look bad? Thoughts appreciated.




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[Starhutch]

Looks normal to me. Can’t say I have examined mine that close however

[asiparks]

looks ok- with the circle inside the bottom circle of the Coronet indicating inner AR coating...

They are tricky to photograph- easier from an "off"angle, but then the dots don't always appear aligned as you said....

[seabreeze60]

It’s tricky since the Chinese have got good at it. What I found is that real Rolex etching is difficult to get the lighting right but aftermarket crystal etching is easier to notice.

My opinion is that it’s genuine. However, if you’re concerned take into an AD and they will check for free.

Here’s your watch and a Google search photo.

[Cambo]

Weird but after looking at mine with a loupe this one almost looks like a raccoon footprint….probably just the angle of the photo.

[Incroyable12]

Are these etchings only for the newer watches or do all new OEM replacement crystals have it?

[1665fan]

Looks fake compared to the genuine one…….

[Soultime]

There is a thread showing these if you do a search.
Having had a quick look, they do vary a lot. But a good one (like this) is very different to yours.
The bottom oval on yours seems very peculiar especially.

[cajunron]

Originally Posted by Soultime

There is a thread showing these if you do a search.
Having had a quick look, they do vary a lot. But a good one (like this) is very different to yours.
The bottom oval on yours seems very peculiar especially.

The letter S in the bottom of the laser etched coronet denotes a service crystal.

[Andad]

Pass on that crown.

[George58]

the dots are done at different depths so from a side shot the crown will look off a bit your watch is fine

[Andad]

Originally Posted by George58

the dots are done at different depths so from a side shot the crown will look off a bit your watch is fine

The tiny molten bubbles of sapphire glass are all on the same plane George.

I checked this out on an Olympus biological microscope at x100 magnification.

If they were not all on same plane they would not all be in focus.

The slight fading in focus to the left can be measured in microns based on my SD 16600 not quite sitting flat.

I would suggest that the OP have this watch checked out.

I hope it is a good result.

I stand by my pass based on the crown.

Other opinions may differ.

[BMWMotoRider]

Thanks for the comments. It sure doesn’t look like other LEC pics so I will have the watch checked by an AD. If it is a fake, I don’t feel I have a lot of recourse.


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[jinikari01]

OP I'm sorry but those etches look sloppy. GL on your finding.
Hopefully, I am mistaken and AD will confirm.

[WiseRat]

OP can you post photos of the rest of the watch? If the LEC is wrong, chances are there are other issues with the watch.

[Vesper Lynd]

Interesting thread

[Rad22]

The LEC is fine. The dots are at different depths that’s why it looks uneven since you’re taking the pic at an angle. If you are directly perpendicular to the crystal it will look normal.

Here’s an example. 2022 Pepsi purchased in march from AD






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[dtwer]

Wait a minute. Are we saying the security feature aimed at countering fakes, is now potentially countered by fake security feature?

[xjeeunitx]

Why don't you take it to an AD that has a watchmaker on site? Personally, I have seen etched crowns like yours and a bit cleaner ones all sourced from the AD.

[inadeje]

I have seen, held and been offered non OEM crystal with the etched crown. Imperceptible from OEM.

[2loaded]

History unknown out there on the grey market..

[TimeAZ]

your LEC is normal. parallax effects.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by Andad

The tiny molten bubbles of sapphire glass are all on the same plane George.

I checked this out on an Olympus biological microscope at x100 magnification.

If they were not all on same plane they would not all be in focus.

The slight fading in focus to the left can be measured in microns based on my SD 16600 not quite sitting flat.

I would suggest that the OP have this watch checked out.

I hope it is a good result.

I stand by my pass based on the crown.

Other opinions may differ.

That looks like quite a good demonstration that the dots are not in the same plane :)

For example, the centre top of the crown there’s some in that cluster in reasonable focus and some not.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

your LEC is normal. parallax effects.

This.

[Andad]

The depth of field based on the fine focus adjustment on this microscope at x100 is less than the diameter of the molten bubble.

Surely the OP could take a better pix of his laser crown?

The errors on the OP’s pix are too random to be a parallax issue.

The bubbles are on the same plane.

I’m not sure why some just can’t understand and learn so I’m out if this thread.

[JohnnyW]

Originally Posted by Andad

..

The bubbles are on the same plane.

The problem is that your microscope photo shows that the bubbles are NOT on the same plane. There are gross variations in the degree of focus achieved.

It would be interesting if you could take a similar photo with the face slightly slanted

[AD337]

To the original poster — seems fine to me — when you wind it and work with adjusting time and date etc if that feels up to par …. Sad as it sounds, a few coworkers got those superclone fakes and anyway when it comes to setting the time they’re easily noticeably fake

[BMWMotoRider]

Attached are several pics of the watch, sorry for the dusty crap that is on from a microfiber. The watch again is keeping great time, the crown and the bezel all feel appropriate, etc. For the life of me I can’t get a better photo of the LEC. I will take the watch to an AD the next time I’m traveling and near one. Thanks for all the thoughts and any additional options after seeing these photos.











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[Fraz]

OP, take a look at this video: https://youtu.be/BSZ3eRWOdgM

Jenni mentions that a genuine LEC can look “worse” than a fake one due to engraving at different depths.
I hope this helps, cheers


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[AD337]

Op your watch is absolutely authentic — you’re totally all good, no need to worry — enjoy that beauty