CF vs gen 126xxx crystal

[WatchSmith.US]

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The gen crystal has a primary bevel only. When viewed from the front, the minute marks on the dial can be seen at the crystal's edge.


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The CF crystal has a primary and secondary bevel. The secondary bevel causes the top of the white crystal gasket to show through the crystal as opposed to the minute marks on the dial.



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CF124060 with gen crystal clearly shows the minute marks at the crystal's edge. Whether or not this matters is entirely up to the owner. Once the white gasket was pointed out to me I couldn't un-see it and it bugged me so I installed a gen crystal. But it's really a non issue since it's not something that stands out or spoils the overall look.

 

[wubsub]

very good observations brother. so basically the issue with CF is the actual secondary bevel and not the gasket? or to replace both in their entirety.

 

[WatchSmith.US]

very good observations brother. so basically the issue with CF is the actual secondary bevel and not the gasket? or to replace both in their entirety.

I can't be certain if it's the primary or secondary bevel that's allowing the white gasket to show through. I suspect it's the secondary bevel though. I guess it doesn't matter which one...it's happening with the CF crystal and if someone doesn't like it the solution is a gen crystal.

The gaskets themselves are nearly identical. If anything the CF gasket is slightly thinner at the top than the gen gasket, but I'm not sure it's relevant.

 

[Wacht]

I can't be certain if it's the primary or secondary bevel that's allowing the white gasket to show through. I suspect it's the secondary bevel though. I guess it doesn't matter which one...it's happening with the CF crystal and if someone doesn't like it the solution is a gen crystal.

The gaskets themselves are nearly identical. If anything the CF gasket is slightly thinner at the top than the gen gasket, but I'm not sure it's relevant.

Looks like you put a nail in that coffin, swapping gasket only.

Question still remains if there are any good aftermarket crystals available, other than Clark or profs... I mean, the producer of VSF's crystals wouldn't just vanish into thin air?

 

[p0pperini]

I mean, the producer of VSF's crystals wouldn't just vanish into thin air?

VSF crystals aren't a good alternative. Their 126610 cyclops has distortion at the edges which to me is far more noticeable and irritating than the CF bevel's gasket reflection.

 

[keisuke_z]

Wow, great find! I’ll admit I chuckled a little seeing the ghosting of where the cyclops used to be on your gen crystal. =)

It’s pretty interesting - I know nothing about sapphire crystal production but one would imagine that it is less work and cheaper to put a single bevel on the crystal rather than putting two!

 

[WatchSmith.US]

Wow, great find! I’ll admit I chuckled a little seeing the ghosting of where the cyclops used to be on your gen crystal. =)

It’s pretty interesting - I know nothing about sapphire crystal production but one would imagine that it is less work and cheaper to put a single bevel on the crystal rather than putting two!

What's odd is that when the crystal is perfectly clean you can't see the cyclops ghost, but if it's dirty it's there! Surprise surprise!

I suspect Rolex does an extremely small micro secondary bevel to remove the sharp edge that could chip easily. But it's so small you can't really tell, or maybe it's rounded over. Whatever it is, the CF is waaaay bigger.

 

[CJS57]

My pre raid VSF no date sub's crystal is noticeably better and clearer than my pre raid Clean No date sub.

 

[Wacht]

VSF crystals aren't a good alternative. Their 126610 cyclops has distortion at the edges which to me is far more noticeable and irritating than the CF bevel's gasket reflection.

I agree that it's not perfect, but this frosty rim on the cf really puts me off. My VSF's are untouched ootb. My cf are getting gen or similar crystal upgrades if there are any.

 

[Jerrix96]

I would personally go for a Prof crystal, that is for sure better than the CF one and extremely inexpensive with respect to the genuine one.

 

[WatchSmith.US]

UPDATE: The ghost is gone. A light wiping with a paper towel and diamond powder removed the ghost where the cyclops had been removed.
What was strange was that you could only see the ghost when there was a greasy fingerprint on the crystal. When it was wiped clean it was invisible. Anyway it's gone for good now.

 

[Mr.pitt]

the clean gasket is also an inferior product, it is flimsy and thin. the Gen gasket is substantially thicker and the bezel fits a lot tighter around it.
this upgrade will improve water resistance a lot.