Just got my first vintage Sub - Crooked Cyclops - please help!

[dgoldberg]

Experts,
I hope you can help me. After years, I finally got my first Sub (vintage, birth year) from a dealer that came highly recommended. However, after receipt the cyclops is clearly misaligned (see poor photograph from iphone). My concern, now, is the authenticity of the watch in general and not just having the cyclops (or maybe crystal replaced). I'd like to have it checked out ASAP while I can still return/dispute payment

Where do you experts recommend in NYC to have someone check out, open and authenticate?

[Max72]

Rolex Service Center

[Ragna]

highly recommended dealer ?

well.. did he tell you about this before hand?

[brandrea]

Sorry to see this. Did you see pictures before hand? Was this not visible?

[dgoldberg]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Sorry to see this. Did you see pictures before hand? Was this not visible?

Sadly I did not.
Any spots in NYC you suggest that I can take to have it authenticated, also is it an easy fix to have it aligned correctly? (excuse my ignorance)

[Ragna]

if i were you i would be driving like Nicolas Cage in "60 seconds" to get it examined right away.

[harry in montreal]

Post some more pics of the watch. I have had cyclops issues with mine too. No big deal except you may want to replac e the part rather than reinstalling this one. It may crack or stress when being removed. I always replaced them

[dgoldberg]

Originally Posted by Ragna

if i were you i would be driving like Nicolas Cage in "60 seconds" to get it examined right away.

I move quickly.

I just went to the RSC in NYC and they examined the outside of the watch and said all of the parts are legitimate (they didn't open up as the charge was $165 for this).

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by dgoldberg

I move quickly.

I just went to the RSC in NYC and they examined the outside of the watch and said all of the parts are legitimate (they didn't open up as the charge was $165 for this).

Take a pair of needle-nosed pliers, grip, twist counter-clockwise, done.

[J!m]

Originally Posted by speedolex

Take a pair of needle-nosed pliers, grip, twist counter-clockwise, done.

Oh damn! Don't do that!

The crystal retainer has to come off (after the bezel is removed) and the crystal repositioned. If you try to rotate it you will scratch it (at least) or possibly crack it.

Assuming the case is genuine (and it seems it is) that will not rotate easily at all.

[dgoldberg]

Originally Posted by J!m

Oh damn! Don't do that!

The crystal retainer has to come off (after the bezel is removed) and the crystal repositioned. If you try to rotate it you will scratch it (at least) or possibly crack it.

Assuming the case is genuine (and it seems it is) that will not rotate easily at all.

Thank you.

Don't worry, I'm going to goto a watchmaker.

Being as though Rolex "authenticated" the exterior, any reason to pay them to open up?

[JustinK]

Why not contact the seller and ask them to fix it?

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by J!m

Oh damn! Don't do that!

The crystal retainer has to come off (after the bezel is removed) and the crystal repositioned. If you try to rotate it you will scratch it (at least) or possibly crack it.

Assuming the case is genuine (and it seems it is) that will not rotate easily at all.

I was being funny (or at least I thought I was).

[harry in montreal]

You were being very funny. Good one

[J!m]

Originally Posted by speedolex

I was being funny (or at least I thought I was).

That's fine but you never know how a post will be interpreted over the web...

[harry in montreal]

I agree. We need more levity in this hobby

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

I agree. We need more levity in this hobby

ha hahah ha!!

[dgoldberg]

Ha, appreciate the humor.

Your experts think I need to have it opened up?

How easy of a job is it to fix? The dealer agreed to have it fixed at a watchmaker they recommended (whom I can't find any info online regarding their reputation)

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by JustinK

Why not contact the seller and ask them to fix it?

Exactly. What sort of highly recommended dealer sells a watch with such a glaringly bad fitting? And one that completely affects the entire purpose of the cyclops. At the very least, I would get him to agree to pay for whatever service repairs you incur.

[Lordofrolex]

Yeah i would demand for them to take it back and fix it.

[dgoldberg]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Exactly. What sort of highly recommended dealer sells a watch with such a glaringly bad fitting? And one that completely affects the entire purpose of the cyclops. At the very least, I would get him to agree to pay for whatever service repairs you incur.

They've agreed to fix it:

Apologies, two more questions for you experts:
1) Do you think I still need to have it opened up and inspected (I feel comfortable since RSC did a check of the outside and gave no concerns);
2) how easy of a job is it to fix? The person they recommended (http://www.watchrepairinnycny.com/about/) doesn't have a ton of reviews online.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by dgoldberg

I move quickly.

I just went to the RSC in NYC and they examined the outside of the watch and said all of the parts are legitimate (they didn't open up as the charge was $165 for this).

You spent what on this watch and balk at $165 to have the back opened and the watch pressure tested (which they would have done after opening it) plus you have have been able to sweet talk them into adjusting the crystal, just saying, IMHO

[dgoldberg]

Originally Posted by azguy

You spent what on this watch and balk at $165 to have the back opened and the watch pressure tested (which they would have done after opening it) plus you have have been able to sweet talk them into adjusting the crystal, just saying, IMHO

I tried to "sweet talk" them, and they said that would start at $600

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by J!m

That's fine but you never know how a post will be interpreted over the web...

I was going to go with brick or chisel, I'll be more bombastic next time.

[JustinK]

It will take 10 minutes to fix the crystal. It has already been stated that some times the crystal will crack when removed and installed (especially aftermarket ones). It might have to be replaced so if you do it locally and this happens you will be out of pocket. You might not have the option to get an authentic crystal as not everyone can purchase genuine parts.

If this is a trusted seller send it back for them to fix the crystal and see if they can take some pictures of the case back and movement for you while its open.

This is not a big deal unless we are missing part of the story, send it back to the seller and ask them to correct it.

[subx]

that bezel insert looks to be a service one, did you know that?

[HERITAGE82]

To realign the crystal is a 5 min job for any watchmaker and they should pressure test it after. You literally pop off the bezel, remove the retaining ring and rotate the crystal then reinstall. I have seen it done in front of my eyes and I even looked at the alignment prior to refitting the retaining ring (to make sure it was placed perfectly).

Honestly it's not a big deal just sloppy work by the person who installed it and really doesn't mean that the watch is fake in anyway.

[RC2]

Easy job for a watch maker. 600 bucks. Man I wish I made that in 10 min

[harry in montreal]

Well, are you going to want to swim with it? If so, I would ask for $100 back from the seller. Take the watch to your own watchmaker have him put in a new tube, springbars & crystal and pressure test her. He can even open it up in front of you. Should cost $200 for everything. Then you can wear it while you wash your Ferrari !