Rolex question - sapphire crystal

[srs144]

Hi everyone. Question for you. I am looking at a 9 serial Rolex from the mid 1980s. It came factory with a plastic crystal. I had a watch with one and they scratched a lot and it got very annoying to keep it in top share. Sapphire crystals are far better.

The owner is a jeweler who says he can convert it to a sapphire. Now for my question:

If it is not a Rolex factory sapphire crystal, is that a big deal? Does that hurt the value or make it a "non authentic" Rolex in your mind?

Thanks for your thoughts!

[GinGinD]

Hello. First, welcome to WUS and to the Rolex forum.

Second, changing your crystal from acrylic to sapphire is not a good idea. The two types are mounted differently. While such an exchange is possible and you will always be able to find someone willing to do it for you, it's a bit like trying to put a round peg into a square hole. You might make it work, but it's still not going to fit. In the case of a watch, this means compromised water resistance.

My advice? Keep your beautiful vintage acrylic crystal and buy a tube of polywatch off eBay or at Amazon.

Jeannie

[roger0770]

sapphire and acrylic crystals mount differently, thus they are not interchangeable.

[srs144]

I agree that they are not interchangeable, but jewelers can use an aftermarket sapphire crystal and put it in there. Thoughts?

And thank you for taking the time to reply! =)

[GinGinD]

I agree that they are not interchangeable, but jewelers can use an aftermarket sapphire crystal and put it in there.

Yes, they can. But not without compromising WR as I stated above. Fact is, it doesn't fit. They can try to make it fit, but it's still imperfect.

However, it is your watch and your choice.

Jeannie

[tools]

.......
If it is not a Rolex factory sapphire crystal, is that a big deal? Does that hurt the value or make it a "non authentic" Rolex in your mind?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Yes......... It will hurt the value and Rolex will not service such a watch.. It simply becomes an old watch with an aftermarket conversion......

As Jeannie says.. It is your watch so you could do what you want. However, if you are just looking, why not just get one with an original sapphire crystal. Mid-eighties is about when Rolex made the changeover......