Will RSC swap a crystal for an anti reflective one?

[tenerific]

Have and old LN GMT and would like to get an anti reflective crystal installed. Is this the type of thing RSC would do or should I go third party?

[majidessa]

I do not think there is much benefit form doing such a change, Rolex applies the coating on the internal surface and not on both sides and you will still have glare outside.
Having said that, you contact RSC and ask them directly as far as i know early GMT II models did not have anti reflective coatings until 2020 or so

[Toptimes]

RSC typically don't offer this customization, might be best to explore reputable third party watchmakers who specialize in modifications like this.

[espanol]

It’s a good question, I’m also curious.

It wouldn’t be considered a customization, as current GMTs have AR coating on the inside of the crystal. My 2018 BLRO, however, does not.

[Schweinwerfer]

I asked numerous ADs in Germany, none of them would offer the swap. But there have been people on this board who had their crystals swapped. I guess in the US.

[Dom9]

I went 3rd party for full AR on my 16610 but kept the original crystal of course. Makes a difference for me and obviously cheap and reversible. Double sided AR crystals available 3rd party as well.

[inadeje]

The hologram demonstrates if AR coating is applied. Therefore, I can’t see RSC permitting non-OEM (for serial number) modifications that are easily verified.

[Phrank]

Originally Posted by inadeje

The hologram demonstrates if AR coating is applied. Therefore, I can’t see RSC permitting non-OEM (for serial number) modifications that are easily verified.

I had my 1990 GMT Master serviced at Rolex last summer and they replaced the crystal and it has the laser etched Crown at 6 - previous crystal did not.

So if laser etched crown indicates AR coating they swapped it on mine for the updated one.

This was RSC Toronto.

[928ktgold]

Originally Posted by Phrank

I had my 1990 GMT Master serviced at Rolex last summer and they replaced the crystal and it has the laser etched Crown at 6 - previous crystal did not.

So if laser etched crown indicates AR coating they swapped it on mine for the updated one.

This was RSC Toronto.

It has a laser etched crown with double circles at the bottom of the crown it’s AR full coated underneath

[Phrank]

Originally Posted by 928ktgold

It has a laser etched crown with double circles at the bottom of the crown it’s AR full coated underneath

Looked at the invoice and this was the replacement:

Replace crystal
- sapphire crystal d29.5 1.8 anti-reflective

So is this everything or just cyclops? Any ideas and thank-you.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Phrank

Looked at the invoice and this was the replacement:

Replace crystal
- sapphire crystal d29.5 1.8 anti-reflective

So is this everything or just cyclops? Any ideas and thank-you.

I would say that is a crystal 29.5mm diameter x 1.8mm thick?

With cyclops.

[Harry-57]

I asked about this last week at my AD because my Explorer II was going in for a service. The answer was no. If a new crystal is fitted it will be period correct.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

I asked about this last week at my AD because my Explorer II was going in for a service. The answer was no. If a new crystal is fitted it will be period correct.

Good information

[logo]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

I asked about this last week at my AD because my Explorer II was going in for a service. The answer was no. If a new crystal is fitted it will be period correct.

Opposite for me. Sent in my 1989 Explorer 14270 last year and RSC suggested replacement of the crystal. Only option they gave me was AR coated, which I was/am quite pleased with.

[Hkspwrsche]

Originally Posted by logo

Opposite for me. Sent in my 1989 Explorer 14270 last year and RSC suggested replacement of the crystal. Only option they gave me was AR coated, which I was/am quite pleased with.

Yes that has been my experience also.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by logo

Opposite for me. Sent in my 1989 Explorer 14270 last year and RSC suggested replacement of the crystal. Only option they gave me was AR coated, which I was/am quite pleased with.

I would be pleased with that as well. Maybe it's different in the UK, or maybe I got the wrong info.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by logo

Opposite for me. Sent in my 1989 Explorer 14270 last year and RSC suggested replacement of the crystal. Only option they gave me was AR coated, which I was/am quite pleased with.

Very nice

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

I asked about this last week at my AD because my Explorer II was going in for a service. The answer was no. If a new crystal is fitted it will be period correct.

And yet they have no problem putting a luminova dial and hands on a watch that originally came with tritium.

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

And yet they have no problem putting a luminova dial and hands on a watch that originally came with tritium.

They no longer manufacture tritium dials and hands, so not really the same

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

They no longer manufacture tritium dials and hands, so not really the same

Which will also be the case someday with non-AR crystals

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by East of Eden

Which will also be the case someday with non-AR crystals

Ha! That’s fine, and at that time the protocol will change.

[928ktgold]

RSC Beverly Hills did my 2020 BLNR. AR glass only for $240 last year. They used to do only models that offer it from the factory, but read a trf member here who got his 16710 gmt done by RSC

[Hkspwrsche]

I’ve seen several say they got ar on the new one from the RSC.

[East of Eden]

Rolliworks will put in AR crystals with a service, was asking about it for my 14060 and they said AR crystals are what they’re getting from Rolex now

[warrior]

I was told by the Rolex Boutique in Boston that Rolex will NOT replace a NON AR coated crystal with an AR coated crystal IF that model did not have AR coating originally ( ie must be “period correct” like the above poster said)

HOWEVER, that was a couple years ago. Who knows if things have changed. Based on what some have said, things have changed.

[Dom9]

The reason I went aftermarket on the 16610 is because RSC (according to the AD) would swap the crystal but I think it was for the 'black hole' with just the date cyclops with AR underneath, which defeated the object for me.

[Smobews]

I payed $180 at my AD to have my SD43 crystal from 2019 replaced with the current AR coated version.

[928ktgold]

Ask RSC. ADs often don’t have all the answers and make it up as they go. The ADs used to send them in to RSC anyway. My AD said they now have and in house watchmaker with Rolex credentials but RSC directly by phone would give you the best answer.
I did however get a person at RSC last year who didn’t know about the swap for my 2020 BLNR. I had to educate her on it being available. She was new

[nickjust]

Very helpful thread, I hadn't been aware that current model year GMTs are now supplied with AR.

Does anyone know if the 2024 Datejust 36s have AR too? My 126200 (2019) has it under the cyclops only, would be nice to know if I could get it swapped out at the next service.

[928ktgold]

We had a 2019 DJ41 get its’ glass replaced to AR when it was out of warranty, but they required a service as well for it