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22 November 2024, 06:29 PM | #1 |
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AR coating service for watch crystals?
All in all I'm very happy with my new-to-me 2016 116660 Deepsea Sea-Dweller, but what caught me by surprise (I know, should have done more research...) is the complete absence of AR coating. I noticed it when the dial seemed less black than on other watches. In a direct comparison the dial visibility and appearance is significantly worse than on an Omega I have from the same year. (My Omega has a double-domed crystal, so that probably also helps, compared to the flat underside of the Deepsea crystal.) I just wasn't aware that Rolex is a generation behind, and only now (12xxxx, or even 13xxxx series for the Deepsea) adopting crystal coatings. For some reason I assumed at least inside coating was standard on all watches above a certain price point since say the mid-zeroes.
Anyways: Is there an aftermarket vendor for having a crystal AR coated? Adding anti-reflective coating to the flat underside of the Deepsea crystal is something I would consider once my current Rolex service warranty runs out. (Initially I was worried that Deepsea crystal installation might only be available at Rolex company service centers, who would probably refuse to install a modified crystal, but in the meantime I learned that 500 bar pressure testing equipment is commercially available, so I assume any Rolex certified watchmaker with e.g. a Roxer RXF 500 can work on the Deepsea.) |
26 November 2024, 04:20 AM | #2 |
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RSC in USA is currently installing AR crystals on a large number of modern watches if you ask. Pricing seems to be about $175 without service, maybe $125 with service per forum members. A few threads in the general forum popped up recently.
I will be sending an 11series sub for service soon and will have crystal replaced with AR version. I presume Deepsea will have same options from RSC as Sub/Sea-dweller, etc. |
26 November 2024, 09:47 AM | #3 |
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Thanks, that's really helpful. It sounds like this is one (the only?) occasion where Rolex will mount a part from a later version.
Here is an example of the reflections I'm talking about, under a louvered roof - oops, still can't post images... |
29 November 2024, 03:33 PM | #4 | |
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Deepsea 116660 reflections
Quote:
Of course, it's a very nice feature if you have a fire going: Last edited by Gruesome; 29 November 2024 at 03:42 PM.. Reason: make gif work, actually |
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1 December 2024, 03:53 PM | #5 |
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I have asked about this for my 16610 and was told only with service?
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7 December 2024, 07:27 AM | #6 |
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Are there any sources for the replacement crystal with AR. Maybe one with AR in the entire crystal?
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