The Great GMTIIC AR Mystery: SOLVED
Here is a gen Rolex GMTIIC crystal in its original, factory-sealed packaging (I cannot disclose many details about the acquisition, except to say that it required calling in a favor)
Once I have figured out how to (safely) remove the bezel/insert on my CHS, I will install the gen crystal.
In the meantime, this pic clearly shows the AR coating applied to the underside of the crystal, below the cyclops (if the upper-side of the cyclops is AR'd, I do not see it)
Case closed.
p.s. It is also worth noting that neither of the Rolex-certified watchmakers I spoke with were even aware of the AR coating until I pointed it out to them. In 1 case, the watchmaker was so unaware (& surprised) that he had to contact someone at Rolex Switzerland to verify the existence of AR on a Rolex lens. My point is that the AR on these watches is only relevant to WIS types & it is highly unlikely that anyone else you may encounter in your daily life will ID your rep (assuming you look like you belong with a $7k watch) as anything but the real thing based on the appearance of its cyclops. As best as I can tell, all the AR cyclops does is make the watch suitable for very interesting pics.