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25 February 2018, 12:05 PM | #1 |
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Could Rolex remove the cyclops and just make the date window larger?
This might be the dumbest question in the world, but why doesn't Rolex make the date window 2.5x larger and remove the cyclops? At this point, it won't happen because the cyclops is such a Rolex icon, but is there something wrong with doing that originally?
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25 February 2018, 12:17 PM | #2 |
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Why change a formula that has work so well for so many decades... not to say it would be really ugly.
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25 February 2018, 12:18 PM | #3 |
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Probably tough to fit 31 big digits onto one date wheel.
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25 February 2018, 12:20 PM | #4 |
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They could do without the cyclops (Tudor started dropping it around 20 years ago, and other companies manage just fine*) but they're kind of a prisoner to it now. It's an historical hallmark of their date watches.
*not x2.5, but big enough to read. |
25 February 2018, 12:21 PM | #5 |
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25 February 2018, 12:23 PM | #6 |
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Some brands have worked around this by having a "big date" window. With two spaces for two digits.
Not happening with Rolex, though. At least, I don't think so... |
25 February 2018, 12:23 PM | #7 |
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And while they're at it, why wouldn't they simply use quartz movements? Why wouldn't they replace the brand name with something hipper and more modern sounding to attract millennials — perhaps with a hashtag and all caps letters, something like #DOPETIME? And why not let the watch steer cars using internet protocols?
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25 February 2018, 12:25 PM | #8 |
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It could be done the way Breguet does it but they would have to switch the location on the dial since I think it would look bad at the 3 position imo.
https://www.breguet.com/en/timepieces/marine/5817#!4344
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25 February 2018, 01:37 PM | #9 | |
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Could Rolex remove the cyclops and just make the date window larger?
Quote:
Sure - just make the whole crystal a 2.5 magnification and shrink the dial text and hour plots/numerals. Voilà big date with no cyclops and same date wheel! Thank you, thank you very much Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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25 February 2018, 01:55 PM | #10 |
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I like the way AP & Panerai do it with the 'reverse' cyclops.
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25 February 2018, 01:58 PM | #11 |
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Cyclops also has tremendous brand value as it is one of the most recognized visual features.
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25 February 2018, 02:16 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
The only other way is to have a big date window the way Breitling does it with separate dials and be cyclops free. I can read this as easy as my watches with a cyclops. In terms of function: The Rolex cyclops works the best from off axis viewing. Inverted cyclops under the crystal needs to be viewed more strait on. Big date window has the widest range of viewing angles. Rolex cyclops is a THE icon.
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25 February 2018, 02:24 PM | #13 |
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25 February 2018, 02:50 PM | #14 |
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SD43 aside, Sea Dweller owners don’t have a problem AFAIK.
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25 February 2018, 02:53 PM | #15 |
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25 February 2018, 03:14 PM | #16 |
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25 February 2018, 03:17 PM | #17 |
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The DEEPSEA has no cyclops. It’s a 44mm case with a larger date wheel yet it’s not as legible as models with cyclops
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25 February 2018, 03:27 PM | #18 |
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I would wager that the great unwashed mass of Rolex owners and those who notice watches equate the brand with the cyclops. I can't see the company changing their product to satisfy a handful of enthusiasts. I don;t think it has anything to do wit legibility.
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25 February 2018, 04:20 PM | #19 |
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They could do it like Moser with a larger date wheel
AP uses it on their moduler chronographs because the datewheel is then on a lower level, no need for it on the regular ROCs since they use proper integrated chronograph movements though. |
25 February 2018, 04:22 PM | #20 |
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I love the cyclops - it’s like a little bit of flash.
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25 February 2018, 04:26 PM | #21 |
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+1 cyclops.. love it.. it’s practical and gives Rolex its uniqueness.. also love the reverse
Cyclops on my Panerai |
25 February 2018, 04:36 PM | #22 | |
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Why not? And while they're at it make each and every date watch they have in their line up thicker to accommodate the thicker mechanism required to drive both the inner and outer date wheels with the larger numerals. You missed your calling. You should be the chief engineer and stylist for Rolex Some people are already whinging about how thick the DSSD is and you propose a change to make everything Rolex makes even thicker with a date |
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25 February 2018, 04:38 PM | #23 |
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Not even in the beginning then when the DJ was first introduced?
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25 February 2018, 04:50 PM | #24 | |
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Quote:
Rolex was always committed to having the numbers visibly 2.5x bigger than the numerals on the actual date wheel. From what I can see(no pun intended) there's no other way of achieving their design objective unless the Cyclops is on the outside. Especially with the original plastic crystals. The Cyclops could be on the inside, but the watch would again need to be thicker right across the Crystal to have an internal Cyclops clear the hands |
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25 February 2018, 11:26 PM | #25 |
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I dont like cyclops...
I dont like cyclops... Sorry, I just prefer my watches not to have the date function, some threads back I read of one owner having the magnifying lens polished off his Submariner as he deemed it to be ugly? either way a great iconic idea but as Ive previously mention.... not for me
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25 February 2018, 11:33 PM | #26 |
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26 February 2018, 12:54 AM | #27 |
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My nearly 50 year old eyes appreciate the cyclops, and as others have pointed out it's part of Rolex's DNA, probably their most signature feature. I'm happy they added it to the Sea Dweller, more due to function than form.
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26 February 2018, 11:21 AM | #28 |
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Thanks for clarifying. Then the cyclops make a big difference! 2.5X
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26 February 2018, 11:59 AM | #29 |
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Could Rolex remove the cyclops and just make the date window larger?
Not really! Big dates exist on many brands - not to mention NOMOS being one of them. Of course they can, but why would they! After all it’s their trademark and what’s makes Rolex Rolex! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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