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Rolex Super Domes

shy06002
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I've been doing some research on super domes for my 1680 sub and it seems the two popular options are the tropic 19 and tropic 39 domes. From what I read it seems it is extremely hard to find a genuine super dome nowadays and most that are for sale are Rolex service domes passed off as originals. Does anyone have any further knowledge about super domes and whether there is a big difference between the service domes vs originals? There are a couple of service domes floating around for around $250 so I just wanted to get some opinions before I jumped on one of these.
 
CajunTiger
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I have a few, if you look hard you can find the original ones, but they are expensive. I think closer to $500. Check with Greekbum on TRF or DRB on VRF. PM me if you can't find them
Edited:
 
omitohud
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R u sure u r looking at superdome for ur 1680? It should b 127 top hat. Some like no magnification n went with superdome if that's what u r after. Genuine ones r hard to come by very hard to tell if original. Another option is to get a service t19 install by abc watchwerk n modify to look like the superdome.
 
CajunTiger
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Yes, sorry I didn't read closely...you should be looking for a Tropic 127. They run about $500 for an original and are hard to find. The two contacts I listed above should have one. I have a spare NOS Tropic 127 service crystal if you are interested PM me.
 
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shy06002
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I currently have the top hat on my 1680 but I wanted to replace it with a t19 or t39 dome without the cyclops, sorry if I wasn't clear!
 
dsio
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See I don't get why you wouldn't just use a generic when they're so expensive, there's no Rolex specific markings on either T19 or T39 and there are half a dozen generics that are 100% exact and cost $10.
 
shy06002
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Not to sound snobbish or anything but I guess there is something about having a generic vs a genuine part. I think when it comes to items of high value such as cars and watches I just feel safer at ease using a genuine part. Don't get me wrong though, I do shop for generic medicine and detergent 😝
 
dsio
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shy06002 shy06002
Not to sound snobbish or anything but I guess there is something about having a generic vs a genuine part. I think when it comes to items of high value such as cars and watches I just feel safer at ease using a genuine part. Don't get me wrong though, I do shop for generic medicine and detergent 😝
Normally I'd totally agree, but in this case, Rolex is unlikely to have made the part, but rather bought whatever was handy off a third party at the time.

A vintage tropic 19 is going to be fragile and weak as it was only ever intended to last a few services at most, its a throwaway part that I wouldn't want to really rely on.

Like this:
http://www.chrono-shop.net/en/tropi...5513-5514-5517-rare-cristal-divers-rolex.html

Is frankly nuts

The German Sternkreuz crystals are an exact match for the Tropic 19/39 rather than the service versions, and they're recently produced, not 40 year old plastic.

Also, the chances of you being able to tell if a $500 Rolex crystal is a real Rolex Tropic 19/39 or a Sternkreuz in an old Rolex packet are rather slim.

To me its sort of like buying a 40 year old set of OEM shock absorbers for a BMW 2002Tii because you don't want a new set of Koni Sports 😀
 
shy06002
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Dear sir your argument is rather compelling! I think out of everything this would convince me to go with a modern crystal since it doesn't make sense. I have read that older domes are questionable in terms of cracks and what not. I would like to be able to go underwater so maybe I should just go with a newer crystal.

I guess now the question is...rolex service crystal or the $10 crystal 👎
Edited:
 
dsio
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The Rolex service crystal is probably a $0.50 crystal from some third party supplier before its put into a wax paper packet with Rolex written on it 😀

They've had no reason to produce them in the last 20 years so whatever they have is likely either old stock or new stock from some current supplier that makes many types for different brands. The change between the original T19 and the service T19 styles I'd imagine was most likely a change of third party supplier resulting in the differences between them rather than any actual change Rolex requested.
 
watchlovr
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An unmodified T29 will look too high at the edge.
T19's look fine.
I have found that aftermarket crystals do not always fit perfectly.
The German branded ones as above are probably the best.

shy06002 shy06002
So something like this should be fine?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swiss-Made-...794?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1a013ddf62

OR

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Crystal-Ref...330?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35e48375e2

You seem to be quite knowledgeable about these crystals so thanks for the help so far! In your opinion, which do you think best works on a 1680, t19 or t39?
 
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shy06002
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Hmm the general consensus is that the t19 is a better fit for the 1680
 
shy06002
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Talked to a guy at work who is a even bigger watch geek. He put it this way....you wouldn't buy a vintage car and start putting aftermarket parts on it right?

Rethinking whether I want to put a new dome and insert on now 👎
 
dsio
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Thing is it's not like aftermarket parts on a vintage car, it's like putting new tyres on a vintage car. They're not significant for anything other than their performance, and they were cheap expendable junk from day one that the company never made themselves in the first place.

Any other part like a bezel or bracelet or dial I'd agree but you wouldn't put a vintage 1970s brittle leather strap on an old watch, the crystal makes even less sense.
 
shy06002
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Good argument, I guess I'll just pick up one of these $17 clark tropic 19 crystals.
 
gatorcpa
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dsio dsio
Any other part like a bezel or bracelet or dial I'd agree but you wouldn't put a vintage 1970s brittle leather strap on an old watch, the crystal makes even less sense.
I do agree on the vintage watchbands. However, if the crystal has an ID mark like Omega, Universal or Eterna, you kind of have to stay with the originals as long as possible. Especially since it is impossible to find new Universal or Eterna marked crystals.

Most Omega crystals can be ordered.
gatorcpa
 
omitohud
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shy06002 shy06002
Good argument, I guess I'll just pick up one of these $17 clark tropic 19 crystals.

I wouldn't submerge it in water though, even if it pass pressure test.
 
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