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dirkpitt73 · 24 January 2013, 08:04 AM

I bought my Z serial SD a couple of weeks ago. It has a couple of very small chips on the edge of the crystal, one you can see/feel, the other only under a loupe. The dealer agreed to order a replacement crystal and install it. I'm wondering two things:

1. What is involved in replacing the crystal on a SD? Do they just remove the bezel and go in from the top? That's what I would assume, but one of the people there said they thought the SD was a little different in this respect.

2. Should I have it done now or hold on to the replacement and get it done when the inevitable additional chips show up? I know this more of a personal preference, but curious as to opinion.

Thanks,
John

shofzr · 24 January 2013, 08:15 AM

The case of the Sea-Dweller 16600 is made different than the Sub, on the Sea-Dweller the movement has to be removed from the case, and the crystal is pushed out form the inside.

If the condition of the crystal bothers you then have it changed. Personally I would wait until service time to replace it.
Cheers.

kilyung · 24 January 2013, 09:33 AM

The movement is removed. The bezel is removed. Glass is pressed out. New glass and delrin gasket are pressed back in. Movement replaced. Pressure tested. Done.

If the chips will bother you then get it done. If it's free, get it done. Otherwise I'd wait.

padi56 · 24 January 2013, 07:58 PM

As long as the chip or chips are very small myself would wait till service time then get crystal changed.

dirkpitt73 · 26 January 2013, 03:41 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm going to hold off. The crystal they provided is aftermarket from Star Time. Link to the part is below. It certainly looks the same as the Rolex crystal, without the laser etched coronet of course. Any experience with these on the forum? The chips don't bother me enough to make the switch at this point, plus I'd prefer to keep it all original. I suspect Rolex charges quite a bit more for these if I were to get it replaced at an RSC.

http://store.startimesupply.com/merc...ch_Begin_Only=

bayerische · 26 January 2013, 04:11 AM

Call me silly, but I would only put OEM parts on any of my watches, be that AP, Rolex or Omega.

outlaw468 · 26 January 2013, 05:58 AM

I agree with the other posters. Wait until you get it serviced. And opt for rolex parts only.

dirkpitt73 · 26 January 2013, 08:18 AM

Yeah, I tend to agree - they didn't tell me the replacement crystal that was part of the deal was aftermarket. I did get a fair deal on the watch though, so not too upset. I'll live with the chips for now.

As a side note, coming from a 5513, it's interesting how the crown is so much different on the 16600. Sometimes it's hard for me to tell "where I am" on it. When I unscrew it sometimes isn't quite in winding mode and then hard to tell if it's clicked to date mode or not. Also, the case and crystal are so thick, you can't hear what's going on as well, so the winding is much more subtle than my comparatively clunky 5513 movement. Just an observation.

24 January 2013, 08:04 AM	#1
dirkpitt73 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, TX Watch: 214270 Posts: 26	16600 crystal replacement question I bought my Z serial SD a couple of weeks ago. It has a couple of very small chips on the edge of the crystal, one you can see/feel, the other only under a loupe. The dealer agreed to order a replacement crystal and install it. I'm wondering two things: 1. What is involved in replacing the crystal on a SD? Do they just remove the bezel and go in from the top? That's what I would assume, but one of the people there said they thought the SD was a little different in this respect. 2. Should I have it done now or hold on to the replacement and get it done when the inevitable additional chips show up? I know this more of a personal preference, but curious as to opinion. Thanks, John

24 January 2013, 08:15 AM	#2
shofzr "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Adrian Location: Dallas Watch: 218235 BronzeWaves Posts: 760	The case of the Sea-Dweller 16600 is made different than the Sub, on the Sea-Dweller the movement has to be removed from the case, and the crystal is pushed out form the inside. If the condition of the crystal bothers you then have it changed. Personally I would wait until service time to replace it. Cheers. __________________ Sea-Dweller 16600 Day-Date II 218235 Cellinum 5240/6 Speedmaster 125

24 January 2013, 07:58 PM	#4
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 52,260	As long as the chip or chips are very small myself would wait till service time then get crystal changed. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

26 January 2013, 04:11 AM	#6
bayerische "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Andreas Location: Margaritaville Watch: Smurf Posts: 19,879	Call me silly, but I would only put OEM parts on any of my watches, be that AP, Rolex or Omega. __________________ Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

26 January 2013, 05:58 AM	#7
outlaw468 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Steve Location: Chicago Watch: Rolex and Omega Posts: 546	I agree with the other posters. Wait until you get it serviced. And opt for rolex parts only. __________________ Regards, Steve

24 January 2013, 09:33 AM	#3
kilyung 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cave Watch: Sundial Posts: 33,870	The movement is removed. The bezel is removed. Glass is pressed out. New glass and delrin gasket are pressed back in. Movement replaced. Pressure tested. Done. If the chips will bother you then get it done. If it's free, get it done. Otherwise I'd wait.

26 January 2013, 03:41 AM	#5
dirkpitt73 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, TX Watch: 214270 Posts: 26	Thanks for the advice guys, I'm going to hold off. The crystal they provided is aftermarket from Star Time. Link to the part is below. It certainly looks the same as the Rolex crystal, without the laser etched coronet of course. Any experience with these on the forum? The chips don't bother me enough to make the switch at this point, plus I'd prefer to keep it all original. I suspect Rolex charges quite a bit more for these if I were to get it replaced at an RSC. http://store.startimesupply.com/merc...ch_Begin_Only=

26 January 2013, 08:18 AM	#8
dirkpitt73 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, TX Watch: 214270 Posts: 26	Yeah, I tend to agree - they didn't tell me the replacement crystal that was part of the deal was aftermarket. I did get a fair deal on the watch though, so not too upset. I'll live with the chips for now. As a side note, coming from a 5513, it's interesting how the crown is so much different on the 16600. Sometimes it's hard for me to tell "where I am" on it. When I unscrew it sometimes isn't quite in winding mode and then hard to tell if it's clicked to date mode or not. Also, the case and crystal are so thick, you can't hear what's going on as well, so the winding is much more subtle than my comparatively clunky 5513 movement. Just an observation.

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