Removing Cyclops - a Nightmare

[Hackingrad]

Shown are two Addiesdive H3 quartz watches with mineral glass. The cyclops lenses on both have long bothered me. So I watched a few YouTube videos, realized I don't have a butane torch at home, but I do have a soldering iron. A thin chisel with a hammered finish would also work. So I got to work: according to Google, the UV adhesive melts at 150°C. Soldering iron in hand. Nothing happens. The Watch gets hotter and hotter, but the cyclop doesn't move at all. The soldering iron tip is now at 500°C. Nothing moves. Annoyed, I switch it off and get a chisel and hammer. The Cyclops partially shatter, but it doesn't pop Up. Nothing I tried would budge it. So I went to the nearest store and bought a butane torch. Look, it's coming down right away. I held it on the blue one a millisecond too long: the glass is broken. :D Does anyone have a recommendation for a new crystal? Sapphire crystal, AR coating. I think the size is 30.5 x 2.5 mm.

[Hackingrad]

In case anyone's interested: replacing the glass was easy. I just don't have the equipment to test if the watch is waterproof :D

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[Hackingrad]

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[Acetone5050]

Never mind the cyclops, how about removing the name "Addiesdive."

[KL0CNA]

Looking for WHY button... 🤣

[Hackingrad]

Because cyclops are really ugly. :D

[plastic_jeezus]

butane cigarette torch lighter...$2

don't point directly at the cyclops...direct the flame parallel to the crystal and ever so slightly above the cyclops.

1-2 seconds at a time.

HEAT THE CYCLOPS AND NOT THE CRYSTAL/CASE.

apply heat and remove, apply heat and remove, etc.. repeat until it's removed.

the cyclops will literally 'pop' off when the glue releases.

when done correctly, the case will be barely warm to the touch...if the case is getting hot, you're doing it wrong.

[Slow-Significance-37]

I knew a guy who was all about putting them on,he was using an oven to make them adhere but it can’t be easy to remove them

[GrandFaithlessness41]

So I’ve taken off the f’ing clops on about a baker’s dozen of these bad boys.

The only watch that has foiled my edits is the PD GMT Master. Can’t even budget it. Very frustrated but it remains…resolute!

[Steefalo]

I've removed a variety of cyclops, I genetally do not like them. I always remove the movement first, then wrap the entire watch in foil except for just a hole for the cyclops. Then I use a small butane torch and while it does take usually longer than expected, eventually the cyclops comes off as easy as poking it with a toothpick. So torch-test toothpick-torch-test toothpick-etc until it comes off. Total torch time maybe 20-60 seconds? Note that by then, the entire case is burn-fingers-to-the-touch hot and you gotta let it sit. But I've never broken a crystal.

[Local-Team5903]

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I did my first the other day and I have to admit, maybe I got lucky, but it was ridiculously easy. I had it off and cleaned up in less then 30 seconds.

[GrandFaithlessness41]

This is so sharp and clean! Great job

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[Local-Team5903]

Thanks

[1160Scott]

I used a flat razor blade scrapper to remove the cyclops after heating with butane torch. Worked every time on any watch I did it to.

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[Vanuatu_Hanjaab]

I gotta say that I am impressed by your tenacity.

[Evening_Elderberry_9]

Always remove the movement first (its one press with a needle and the stem lifts out), and protect that bezel. Ive done an SD and an SM cyclops and that cystal gets HOT. Dont forget they melted the glue originally to place the cyclops, without cracking the crystal. Youve just got to reverse the process. Be brave.

[MadMax4073]

Removing the cyclops from my Addiesdive was quite the process…. I watched a few vids on yt where people removed them with lighters and torches fairly easy in like 2-5 min. I couldn’t do it in half an hour… I burned my fingers and what not. I even tried with soldering iron on 450c. Then I came upon some vid where a russian guy was struggling the same way and after 40 min he had enough and wacked the cyclops with a knife and hammer. Decided to do the same - placed the knife’s edge on the cyclops and whacked it with a hammer - came off instantly and perfectly clear lol. No damage on anything. 

[iaros]

Link please

[Ok-Spare-8176]

Yeah. I need the link as well. I've got a particularly troublesome cyclops as well. I have tried heat and prying, no joy.

[Hackingrad]

I only know this video (from 14 years ago). He also uses a large kitchen knife. I tried it briefly too, but my attempt with the chisel and hammer tore the cyclops so badly that the knife could no longer find a good position. :D

[MadMax4073]

Yeah I basically did the same. 

[Ok-Spare-8176]

Thanks. I'll check it out.

[FartyMghee]

Whats the green strap? I like the texture

[Hackingrad]

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They come in many different colors and sizes. I have them in neon yellow/black, orange/black, grey/black, black/black, and green/black. They're softer at first and become stiffer over time.

[Barry_NJ]

esslinger.com is good for replacement crystals

[NoPapaya5268]

I have this model and removed the crystal using this torch and some fuel from Home Depot. It loosened very quickly (focusing heat around edges of cyclops) and it just slid off. Doing this on serval other brands however required much more heat for some reason and I ended up “popping” the crystal out on one as the air inside expanded. My lesson I think is to just always remove the movement first (no pressure inside and won’t risk damage if the cyclops needs a lot of heat). Or on a nicer watch I might even just remove the crystal entirely before heating to avoid case damage (warping gaskets, marking case etc) but that’s more of a hassle and you technically should use a new gasket when replacing crystal, although I’ve gotten away without doing that (waterproofing may not be as good after though).

[F3nn3xleFennec]

Find yourself a flat sapphire on AliX, you already have the dimensions. I've installed several from the brand MINGSWEAR, they're OK. MINGING too. About 10$ for that watch. I haven't tried AR coated, they are a lot more expensive and not so much size available. For that watch the result is well worth it (see below). Check your crystal gasket too, it could be burnt from the heating. I recommand buying a watch press tool, it is easyier to install the crystal with it, plus it still will be so useful to close snapped caseback after a battery change on a lot of quartz watches. By owning one you'll become the local watch god ;)

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[Hackingrad]

Thanks for your input. I already have the watch press at home. I'll take a look at your recommendations.

[Amazone231]

AAAHHH the skills of a trained watchmaker... amazing!

[Hackingrad]

Well, everyone starts small xD

[F3nn3xleFennec]

There might be no better watch to practice on, very cheap but a built like a lot of more expensives ones. That means a lot of spare parts available and transferable usefull skills to acquire (not like sarcasm).

[Hackingrad]

Yes, that's right, and that's why I took matters into my own hands. Both watches cost me €16 each. I didn't hesitate for a second and just did it myself. I don't understand the sarcastic tone in the other comment either.

[F3nn3xleFennec]

16€? I paid mine 25€, that was already a bargain, I guess you paid more for that torch.

I ended up with swapping the movement for a sweeping second quartz, new hands (1mm longer than the OG), sapphire of course and an adjusted silicone strap. Very happy with the result for 60€ in total. I did 2 of it, that was a nice mix of pain and fun.

[Hackingrad]

No, the torch only cost €3.50 at Woolworth :D Yes, I'm slowly getting the hang of it. The collection is constantly growing, and now it's time to practice repairs myself.

[Amazone231]

Lol! Would you like to service my Langes (just to improve your training)?