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Old 16 August 2017, 07:18 PM   #1
jscom
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5500 Air King dome plexi question

RSC wonderfully serviced my 5500 Air King but sadly they changed the dome plexi crystal with a flat service crystal. Therefore I intend to search for a genuine dome plexi crystal and to ask my trusted watchmaker to put it in place of the flat one after expiration of the service warranty.

Now my question to you is how can I identify the right dome plexi crystal?

Is it only a matter of diameter (which one?) or should it be a specific part reference (which one?)?

Many thanks in advance for your help :-)
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Old 16 August 2017, 09:02 PM   #2
Bob the brush
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Try Michael Young of Classic Watch Repair in Hong Kong, I had the same problem with my 1016, with the flat crystal being installed, and I got the correct T22 domed crystal off them for a good price which was dispatched to me here in the UK, and from my order being placed, to my watchmaker fitting the crystal was about 10 days. Very happy with the result, it has transformed my watch back to its former glory. Good luck, keep us posted.
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Old 17 August 2017, 06:23 AM   #3
Sunny Arizona
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Great feedback.
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Old 17 August 2017, 07:36 PM   #4
jscom
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Many thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

In addition, for my understanding, when I search for plexi crystals, I can see part references like 25-12 or 25-127 or T19 etc. which will fit specific watches but I don't know which ones. Can anyone confirm which is the exact part reference for a domed crystal for a 5500 Air King?

Again many thanks in advance :-)
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Old 18 August 2017, 05:04 AM   #5
Bob the brush
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I would email Classis Watch Repair and specifically ask that question, they are a very proffesional set up, and I'm sure they will supply, or give you information. Good luck.
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Old 18 August 2017, 06:46 PM   #6
jscom
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Thanks for the feedback, I will do so
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Old 20 August 2017, 05:49 AM   #7
Bob the brush
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Another thought, look at the reference library of this forum, there is a "Rolex crystal number" thread, which may be!p in your quest.
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Old 20 August 2017, 05:50 AM   #8
Lamone
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Vintage genuine crystals are getting harder to acquire. You will need a tropic 11 (25-11) for your 5500.
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Old 22 August 2017, 02:16 AM   #9
jscom
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Quote:
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You will need a tropic 11 (25-11) for your 5500.
Many thanks, this is much appreciated
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Old 22 August 2017, 06:18 AM   #10
Lamone
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Quote:
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Many thanks, this is much appreciated
Pleasure. If you want the early dome version, make sure the packaging does not say "swiss made".
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Old 24 August 2017, 01:16 AM   #11
jscom
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(...) make sure the packaging does not say "swiss made".
Thanks for the advice. But why is that? Sorry for the dumb question, I am quite new here and I am still learning...
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Old 24 August 2017, 07:16 AM   #12
Lamone
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From my experience, crystals without "swiss made" written are the early crystals - unless they come in tube packaging, which is another story...

I believed that in the late 70s, Rolex changed some of its crystal design to more later tops (dome/superdome vs service look).
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