Rolex Crystal Review! Clark 25-295-CAR vs Gen

[kennygconspiracy]

Okay lads, I've hunted everywhere but have yet to see a good comparison of these two options for a Rolex Crystal. I decided to be the guinea pig and get this party started.

One is $34.

The other is ten times the amount, at about ~$340+ depending on blister or not.

Step into the ring and judge for yourself! Your input MATTERS!

Note: CHNR doesn't have a gen datewheel

............................................................................................................................................................................

In this corner, the golden two tone that breaks bones! The BP CHNR fresh back from the up and coming oascom. It has a Clark 25-295-CAR that was said to be comparable to a gen 25-295.

In that corner, the superfranken that's ready to get some fists cranking. The 116710LN that's been super treated by the legendary misiekped. It has a gen 25-295. Let's get started, shall we?

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[kennygconspiracy]

Peeking in from the right, it's clear to see both watches have the SAME magnification, albeit the Clark having more AR effect. The black hole effect is also present strongly in both.

 

[kennygconspiracy]

Peeking in from the left, the AR effect shows itself again on the Clark, though both appear to have the same black hole effect. No clear winner yet. Let's see what happens with an orthogonal glance!

 

[kennygconspiracy]

Orthogonal view. The gen looks better due to less AR. HOWEVER, on the gen CHNR the same strong AR appears as per the Clark crystal. In this aspect it's as per gen.

My verdict:

Clark:

Value 10/10
Black Hole Effectiveness: 9/10 (subjective)
Magnification: 10/10

Gen:

Value: 4/10 (subjective)
Black Hole Effectiveness: 10/10
Magnification: 10/10

Clark crystal is about 98% applicable as a gen crystal without LEC. The extra AR is a blessing in some situations. Some gen crystals have extra AR, others don't*

Overall I'm very happy with this crystal, and it's a damn good bang for your buck at $34 vs $340+

What's your take? You decide!

*Based on Watchuseek and Rolex forums



Also here is a CHNR WITHOUT AR on cyclops.

So yes, there is variants! Rejoice brothers! Lmao

CHNR from a distance next to a Noob Polar Explorer II

 

[Countess Koscowicz]

Just the thread I’ve been waiting for - upon arrival I’m having my new Di 36 arf sent to have a service and gen dw install, I’ve looked at the possibility of a gen crystal but at £300 it’s a big push. Some people feel it’s a game changer, others think it’s a negligible upgrade..

i know it’s a different watch but I’m sure the principle is the same, so my question is related but a slight tangent, do you feel a gen upgrade is worth it, switch to a Clark replacement, or stick with the new v3 arf crystal which apparently has the correct magnification etc?

Looking forward to hearing others inputs, only recently took the step into modding, and have always settled for stock reps previously!

 

[kennygconspiracy]

Just the thread I’ve been waiting for - upon arrival I’m having my new Di 36 arf sent to have a service and gen dw install, I’ve looked at the possibility of a gen crystal but at £300 it’s a big push. Some people feel it’s a game changer, others think it’s a negligible upgrade..

i know it’s a different watch but I’m sure the principle is the same, so my question is related but a slight tangent, do you feel a gen upgrade is worth it, switch to a Clark replacement, or stick with the new v3 arf crystal which apparently has the correct magnification etc?

Looking forward to hearing others inputs, only recently took the step into modding, and have always settled for stock reps previously!

My opinion is go with a Clark. You can save that money to service the watch and keep it stable for decades.

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[Countess Koscowicz]

My opinion is go with a Clark. You can save that money to service the watch and keep it stable for decades.

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Already got a service organised the arf looks decent in qc pics but I have no experience with Clark sapphire so won’t be able to say if it’s going to be a like for like swap or bring it closer to gen.

 

[kennygconspiracy]

Already got a service organised the arf looks decent in qc pics but I have no experience with Clark sapphire so won’t be able to say if it’s going to be a like for like swap or bring it closer to gen.

I gotcha! My suggestion would be to look at the pictures above and see how the crystals compare. That way you can form your own opinion



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[Countess Koscowicz]

I gotcha! My suggestion would be to look at the pictures above and see how the crystals that way you can form your own opinion



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Hahah! I hear ya


At that price it’s worth a punt regardless - it looks incredibly close to gen - will order one to compare with the arf when it arrives next week.

 

[ower]

Unfortunately to me the blue hue on the Clark kills it for me and is instant tell.

 

[kennygconspiracy]

Unfortunately to me the blue hue on the Clark kills it for me and is instant tell.

That's subjective, though I understand why.

At the end of my review I show two different scenarios where one Gen CHNR has a blue tint and one does not.

There are instances of gen Rolex crystals that do not have blue tint AR and do have blue tint AR. So definitely not an instant tell, in my opinion

Thanks for your input mate! I appreciate your point of view.

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[mrsullivan]

That's a great thread. With a quite wide offer of aftermarket crystals it's not so easy to pick the right brand.
Clarks offers a classic upgrade with an unbeatable quality/price ratio.
Only the missing LEC might be a no go for some people.

Envoyé de mon ELE-L29 en utilisant Tapatalk

 

[micksmith1987]

Only the missing LEC maybe a no go for some people.

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Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that Clark puts the LEC on request?

 

[mrsullivan]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that Clark puts the LEC on request?

I have no idea, I bought one recently and didn't even think to ask, do they?

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[lfarcos]

Thank you mate for the comparative

Where can I get a Clark crystal for a Sub 116610?

Thanks in advance,
Regards.

 

[kennygconspiracy]

I have no idea, I bought one recently and didn't even think to ask, do they?

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I'll ask for ya'll! And thanks Sullivan! I appreciate your kind words.

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[kennygconspiracy]

Thank you mate for the comparative

Where can I get a Clark crystal for a Sub 116610?

Thanks in advance,
Regards.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/254475715655

I believe this is it mate

Someone correct me if I am wrong

Thanks for the kind words!

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[GingerBubba]

Great thread, thanks for making the effort OP.

For me personally, I prefer even an ARF crystal to the Clarks,the black hole on the Clarks is awful imho. People on here talk about known flaws in a Rolex; the hands not 3D enough, the markers not rounded enough, the lugs not curvy enough - I don't notice any of that shite - but that Gen crystal is so, SO much better than the Clarks, it is, as others say above, an instant tell. It actually ruins a lovely watch for me. Maybe it wouldn't ruin it on its own in the wild, but in a side by side comparison like this, it looks awful.

 

[Mav2000]

Great thread buddy. Thanks

 

[KJ2020]

Thank you mate for the comparative

Where can I get a Clark crystal for a Sub 116610?

Thanks in advance,
Regards.

Ebay