Chipped Crystal

[Grimoald]

Should I purchase this watch that I love from a trusted watchmaker, or not? I can afford it, the watch is in good condition, only problem is the chip on the crystal at the 12 hour marker. It’s surely not a crack inside of it as it was just serviced. But the chip kinda bothers me even though it’s not super easy to see. Should I buy it and change it right away? Or simply Buy it and Change the crystal but later on, when I’ll need a full service? I’m dubious but I really want the watch, it is exactly how I like it.

[Grimoald]

It’s a Rolex Datejust 16234. It has papers, original box, manual, etc.
The seller is a trusted source. Any opinions on this?

[911991]

I would not consider the watch to be in Good condition with a chipped crystal, I would ask the seller to replace or discount the price for the replacement cost...

[vesnyder]

I would not hesitate. I would like to say I would buy it and wait but that would bother me and I would have to have it done right away. I would certainly take the new crystal into account for the purchase price. You say it was just serviced - did the chip just happen or did they not replace the crystal?

[Grimoald]

Thank you! Yeah I think I’m gonna do that. At least a discount if they don’t wanna change the crystal now.

[Grimoald]

Originally Posted by vesnyder

I would not hesitate. I would like to say I would buy it and wait but that would bother me and I would have to have it done right away. I would certainly take the new crystal into account for the purchase price. You say it was just serviced - did the chip just happen or did they not replace the crystal?

I need to ask, I believe they didn’t notice and simply didn’t change it.

[Swiss Mad!]

If a watchmaker has just serviced it & they didn’t change the crystal- which can be seen - makes me wonder what else they didn’t change that was damaged inside the movement that can’t be seen?

Personally I would find another, it’s not like a Datejust is a rare or difficult watch to source


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[Grimoald]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

If a watchmaker has just serviced it & they didn’t change the crystal- which can be seen - makes me wonder what else they didn’t change that was damaged inside the movement that can’t be seen?

Personally I would find another, it’s not like a Datejust is a rare or difficult watch to source


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I must say they’ve been in the business for quite a while. I wouldn’t trash them completely for a chip in the crystal they probably thought wasn’t a major problem. I’m gonna ask them though, and maybe wait for another piece to arrive or simply to have the crystal replaced if possible, or a discount.
I highly doubt they didn’t service it or that they left damaged parts inside, but that’s just me.

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by Grimoald

I must say they’ve been in the business for quite a while. I wouldn’t trash them completely for a chip in the crystal they probably thought wasn’t a major problem. I’m gonna ask them though, and maybe wait for another piece to arrive or simply to have the crystal replaced if possible, or a discount.
I highly doubt they didn’t service it or that they left damaged parts inside, but that’s just me.

If your ok with it that’s all that matters


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[Tools]

The last time that I bought a Rolex from a dealer that had a chipped crystal, they were more than happy to change it when it was pointed out.

[joli160]

If this was overlooked than the watch has not been serviced by somebody worthy of the title watchmaker

Bring it to Rolex and it will set you back 900 Euro for a service and crystal. Rolex is not likely willing to change the crystal without a service.

[Seddyspaghetti]

Originally Posted by Grimoald

I need to ask, I believe they didn’t notice and simply didn’t change it.

is the watchmaker blind?

[Grimoald]

Ok so Yes, they didn’t notice. It’s easy to spot on the picture I posted but not so much in “real” life. They accepted to sell it for discount of about the same price of a Rolex crystal. So then if I want to change it I can do it, but they also suggested not to change it now because it could bother me even more if I had to chip the new crystal after a week or two from the moment of purchase. Again, the watch runs fine, it was checked and pressure tested, and I trust this guy, made other deals with him and they were completely fine. Thank you all for your advice, I think I’m buying this one. Will keep you updated if there will be more problems with it.

[Grimoald]

Originally Posted by joli160

If this was overlooked than the watch has not been serviced by somebody worthy of the title watchmaker

Bring it to Rolex and it will set you back 900 Euro for a service and crystal. Rolex is not likely willing to change the crystal without a service.

When it’ll need a service, I would be happy to bring it to Rolex for a complete service.

[Grimoald]

Originally Posted by Tools

The last time that I bought a Rolex from a dealer that had a chipped crystal, they were more than happy to change it when it was pointed out.

Yep, they suggested to me to “wear it For some time, and if I’m not ok with it they change the crystal”. I’m price-wise paying for a watch with no crystal since they excluded the price of a Rolex sapphire from the total amount. 👍🏻

[Grimoald]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

is the watchmaker blind?

It’s not super easy to see in real life I must admit. Less than many chips i’ve seen on other crystals. They sell a lot of watches, everyone can overlook a little detail. It’s not like it’s a damaged marker or something like that.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by Grimoald

...but they also suggested not to change it now because it could bother me even more if I had to chip the new crystal after a week or two from the moment of purchase.

That's the weirdest bit of caution I've heard from a seller, and the more I think about it, the more suspicious it comes across.

Your sapphire crystal isn't going to get "dinged up" from wearing it for a week or two, or even several years, unless you do something drastic to it (bump it hard against a sharp object or outright drop it). Most of us here have watches with sapphire crystals in excellent condition, without any cracks, and we've been wearing our watches for years- for others, decades.

What does get dinged up is the case itself. Minor scratches- sometimes from bumping the watch against something, sometimes from the fibers in our clothes rubbing against it. But cracking the crystal from regular wear? Come on, that's nonsense.

I understand the seller has previous good history, but there's a first for everything. I'd have that thing checked out by someone else the minute you take possession of it, and have the crystal replaced ASAP. Cracks grow- and if you were to listen to this seller's advice, any potential growth in the crack would render your watch unusable near any water.

[Grimoald]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

That's the weirdest bit of caution I've heard from a seller, and the more I think about it, the more suspicious it comes across.

Your sapphire crystal isn't going to get "dinged up" from wearing it for a week or two, or even several years, unless you do something drastic to it (bump it hard against a sharp object or outright drop it). Most of us here have watches with sapphire crystals in excellent condition, without any cracks, and we've been wearing our watches for years- for others, decades.

What does get dinged up is the case itself. Minor scratches- sometimes from bumping the watch against something, sometimes from the fibers in our clothes rubbing against it. But cracking the crystal from regular wear? Come on, that's nonsense.

I understand the seller has previous good history, but there's a first for everything. I'd have that thing checked out by someone else the minute you take possession of it, and have the crystal replaced ASAP. Cracks grow- and if you were to listen to this seller's advice, any potential growth in the crack would render your watch unusable near any water.

Honestly they offered me to try it and I can replace it from them if I want to, there’s really no need to get it checked and replace it immediately. It’s not a crack, It’s just a superficial chip, doesn’t extend below whatsoever. It passed the test, I think it’s fine.

[GONZO2LR]

have them fix, then buy it! i would not take it until it was done, trusted seller or not...

[mjclark32]

RSC nyc fixed a scratched crystal on an OP39 I used to have for ~$315, ask the seller to do it or reduce price?

[Grimoald]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

RSC nyc fixed a scratched crystal on an OP39 I used to have for ~$315, ask the seller to do it or reduce price?

They reduced it for the price of a Rolex crystal, will change it when I want to. I think I’m gonna live with this esthetic little damage until it gets annoying and then I’ll change it.

[al1786]

When you do get around to replacing the crystal the replacement will not have the laser etched crown, instead it will be a laser etched S indicating a service crystal.


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[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by Grimoald

They reduced it for the price of a Rolex crystal, will change it when I want to. I think I’m gonna live with this esthetic little damage until it gets annoying and then I’ll change it.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

If a watchmaker has just serviced it & they didn’t change the crystal- which can be seen - makes me wonder what else they didn’t change that was damaged inside the movement that can’t be seen?

Agreed. It doesn't seem all that confidence inspiring. If a seller offers to knock off the price of repairing it to a good standard, why haven't they already had it repaired to a good standard?

[HiDive]

In my experience RSC would not let that crytal go back out the door during service.

[Luap1976]

Originally Posted by al1786

When you do get around to replacing the crystal the replacement will not have the laser etched crown, instead it will be a laser etched S indicating a service crystal.


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Wrong

[bmb15]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

is the watchmaker blind?

Yes, he must be blind, but he certainly is a genius to service a Rolex movement without seeing it …

[The Continental]

Either have them change the crystal for you or discount the price of the watch by the price of a new crystal. If they won't do either........bye-bye!!!

[scooter2]

Originally Posted by al1786

When you do get around to replacing the crystal the replacement will not have the laser etched crown, instead it will be a laser etched S indicating a service crystal.


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My 2001 14060M was serviced in 2015 at RSC UK.

It had a chipped crystal and was replaced costing me £78 within the £680 price which also included a new bezel insert, new crown, new oyster link and full service.

The new crystal came with the etched crown at 6 o'clock.

scooter