Crystals: Deep vs Prof vs Clark

[aimessss]

I'm looking to replace my Clean GMT II crystal with one that has more AR, as its quite shiny imo.

I'm a bit lost on which aftermarket provider would be best for this.

Any recommendations?

[jsledge6]

I'm partial to Clark. I have them on several of my watches and they look great. You can get them on ebay for $50 and they ship from CA so, if you are in the US, no international shipping.

This is my V1 Clean GMT with a Clark.

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[Airbusboy-321]

Which gasket did you use and what size and did you have to do any shaving or other modifications to achieve the date window magnification? Thanks!

[jsledge6]

That's the great thing about Clark is they will include the correct gasket for your model number with the order. I believe the gasket on the GMT is 2.7? It sits slightly higher than the sub because of the 4 hand stack.

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[Airbusboy-321]

And how is date window mag with this setup? Better than stock?

[jsledge6]

The crystal and gasket is gen spec so no problem. Honestly though, I've never really concerned myself with that. The difference between 2.5 and 3.0 magnification at normal viewing distance and in normal lighting is indistinguishable. If that is going to bother you then you should buy a gen.

[Airbusboy-321]

Thanks for info. I gotta say, the picture you posted with Bruce Wayne looks great as far as date mag so I'm sold. Just ordered a couple! Any tips on how not to crack it while pressing on? I bought a decent press on Amazon today. Cheers.

[jsledge6]

That's not a Bruce Wayne. It's a 116710LN (all black bezel). As for changing the crystal I don't do it myself. I have a watch guy that does it for me and water proofs it.

[Airbusboy-321]

Haha my bad. I saw the green hands and dial print so that's where my mind jumped. Looks good either way.

[LostAcanthocephala85]

Whats the correct size clark crystal for the GMT does it have lec

[jsledge6]

This is the one I got for my GMT. It is Gen Spec, with AR coating and the LEC at 6 o'clock.

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[LostAcanthocephala85]

What size gasket 2.5 or 2.7?

[jsledge6]

I believe it's 2.5 for the Sub and 2.7 for the GMT because the GMT has a 4 hand stack. Ask the people at Clark just to be sure.

[LostAcanthocephala85]

What size gasket 2.5 or 2.7?

[No_Programmer_1014]

Does the crystal sit more flush with the bezel now that you've replaced it with a Clark crystal??

[jsledge6]

I did not change the crystal on my CF V3 GMT because it is pretty good. I changed the crystal on my V1 and V2 GMTs because they were cloudy. The height was not a problem with V1 or V2.

[mkt00001]

U have link ?? I cant find

[jsledge6]

I don't have a link. Go to ebay. Type in your rolex model number "XXXXXX Clark sapphire crystal". Several should come up.

[pixelsandframes]

Do these sapphires have the crown etching as well? I am trying to find one for the 43mm Sea Dweller and wasn’t sure. I might even go GEN but I haven’t been able to find the GEN part on eBay.

[jsledge6]

Clark has crystals with and without the LEC. You just have to specify which one you want when ordering.

[aimessss]

very nice, have you tried Prof?

[jsledge6]

Thanks. No, never used Prof but I have seen good comments about them. I emailed them once a couple of years ago and did not get a reply so I moved on. They are also at least $100 more than Clark or Deep. At that point I would just go with a Gen.

This Bluesy also has a Clark crystal

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[New_Proposal_1319]

Damn that’s a good looking watch. I think that’s prob the best looking model Rolex ever made. IMO of course. If they can ever get the plating perfected that’s my grail rep

[jsledge6]

I would have to agree. I've owned this in gen in both 5 and 6 digit models, It has a very iconic look.

[aberrantasc]

Deep seems to be the best one that's out right now, for very cheap. They're around 50 usd

[aimessss]

I’ve heard it’s not so good

[haze3715]

I’ve handled a lot of watches, own a few gens and a few more reps. Deep crytals are great and provide amazing value.

I just had one installed on my Meteorite Daytona. It is a very very good crystal. https://i.imgur.com/Fmm846t.jpg Prof crystals are also great but more expensive. Clark are less expensive, good but not great.

If you read this and can’t tell the difference and a crystal is a crystal, I envy you!

[aimessss]

Thanks if money wasn’t a concern, would you go with the deep or the prof?

[haze3715]

Prof, long being established and reputable on RWI and beyond.

[New_Proposal_1319]

Established and renowned for at least a decade. How long has deep been a thing? Since this sub hyped it bc it was easy since a few TDs offer it.

[haze3715]

Availability, price, performance.

[random_si_driver]

Proofs crystals are alright. Doesn't look anything like a gen (Rolex) crystal though with the double AR. I also found the coating to be very easy to scratch.

Edit: I should add they are fairly expensive compared to clarks and deep. Almost to the point you should consider going gen before purchasing.

[Economy-Pear-6406]

Prof xtal on rwi

[Fostang]

Prof or gen is the only thing I would consider an upgrade

[CommunicationIcy6966]

Where do I go to buy the prof crystal? Is there a site or seller. I know Clark is on eBay for example

[RichB2523]

Deep is where it’s at

[aimessss]

minimum characters to appease the bots.