OEM or Aftermarket

[Inertiadrifter]

long story short: bought this 6 years ago from a watchsmith that said, he got it out of a Rolex Explorer II because there is a chip at the end of the crystal. Sold it to me for $10 put it in a box and compltely forgot about it.

now that I am building my franken TC SUB, i am wonderring if this would fit. but wanted to make sure if its GEN Rolex crystal or aftermarket.

your reply is greatly appreciated.

[dan_189]

Can you see the laser etched coronet at the 6:00 mark?

[Inertiadrifter]

No, I couldn't see, I don't remember when Rolex start puting LEC on their crystals,

[correctime]

If you can't see the LEC, measure the thickness.

I believe the pre-LEC sapphires were 2mm.

But are you looking for the LEC under magnification or the naked eye ??

Edited August 17, 2012 by correctime

[freddy333]

Rolex has been laser-etching all of their crystals since about 2000. If the crystal lacks the tiny crown at 6 o'clock it is probably not genuine.

[mymanmatt]

Really hard to tell in a picture. I can tell you what I've noticed with a gen and aftermarket crystal. In my hand the gen crystal, etched or not, it feels buttery smooth, the aftermarket feels sharp. I call it the touch test, for me it really works. You don't need to look at it, just feel it, you will see what Im talking about.

[Inertiadrifter]

Really hard to tell in a picture. I can tell you what I've noticed with a gen and aftermarket crystal. In my hand the gen crystal, etched or not, it feels buttery smooth, the aftermarket feels sharp. I call it the touch test, for me it really works. You don't need to look at it, just feel it, you will see what Im talking about.

That is what I notice as well!! The TC crystal is sharp especially when you feel the Edge of the cyclops this one is sooo smooth!!

I'm gonna have to have a professional take a look at it.

But

I truly appreciate all your help.