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Help converting WM9 Sub to Plexi - can it be done!


alfe

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I've got a great WM9 Sub 2007z series Sub but I can't stand sapphire crystal (too shiny) and yearn to convert it to plexi . Can anyone help? It would be useful if this could be done whilst retaining the waterproof properties of the watch. If, as I suspect, this is an impossible task, does anyone have a very good plexi sub they would be happy to swap for the WM9? Any advice welcome! All the best, Al

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Send me your WM9 sub, and i'll send you a brand new swiss eta vintage plexi 1680 submariner in trade!!!

thumbsupsmileyanim.gif

...and NO, you cannot put a plexi crystal on that WM9.. not even close.

dizz

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Anything can be done with a big enough hammer, torch, and copious amounts of glue!

This started out as a run-of-the-mill $50 16xxxx copy:

rse 1.JPG

Is it correct? - NO!

Is it worth it? - Unless you just have some parts laying around to cobble together, NO!

Is if fun? - Yeah!

Would I do this with something as expensive as a WM9? - HELL NO!

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The 16800 Submariner and the 16610 Sub have a number of similarities. One of which is that they both have the same bezel assemblies and take the same crystal (295-C2). And of course, the WM9 subs will also take the same 295-C crystal.

Interestingly, I have run across 16800's at Robert Maron's in LA which they say are early and have an acrylic crystal.

http://robertmaron.com/product.php?productid=16294&cat=0&page=3

I've never seen this anywhere else, and of course, by now you can be sure Rolex no longer makes an acrylic 295-C crystal.

Whether you could take a 1680 T-127 and cut off the sides and make it work, who knows. OD of a T-127 is around 30.5 which matches a 295-C. Now the 295-C has a lip, which reduces the lower diameter to 29.5mm, hence 295 and the C stands for cyclops. They use a plain 295 on watches like the Daytona 16520 which has no date.

Whether you could make a plastic crystal work by cutting off the sides would be purely experimental. You could certainly buy a cheap T-127 from Clark watch supply or Ofrei and give it a try.

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I would not rely on Bob Maron to be... 'ahem' a reputible source of watches. I've seen a number of odd and questionable things advertised for sale on their site; either mis-referenced (such as a plastic crystal 16800, which doesn't exist), or flat out incorrect watches being sold as original when they are clearly not :)

Granted, he does have some decent stuff every now and then, I am just not confident that they do their due diligence on all of their offerings.

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Hi, thanks for all the interesting advice. I'm a little nervous about experimenting on the WM9 and would probably cobble something bad together - and it wouldn't be waterproof. It's a pity because it's such a nice watch, well made and keeps great time - a plexi crystal would make it perfect. Need time to consider this fully and might go for a trade. All the best Al

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If you're set on having an acrylic/plexi crystal Submariner, I would highly recommend getting the appropriate watch to go with it (in this case, that would be a 1680 for Date or 5513 for no date). That would be the best approach.

If you do want to try retrofitting an acrylic crystal to a modern 16610-style Sub, you can also purchase an acrylic sheet from one of the parts suppliers, and some (like Jules Borel) will even cut to your specification I believe. I would just recommend doing this on a watch that is not a WM9 ;) Maybe go for one of the lower cost CN Subs instead....

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If your only concern is just the glare why not consider AR coating it. I'm sure chieftang could chime in. Just my 2 cents...

Reelmin

(Fish on!!!)

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