More popular than "original equipment"

[springer]

I've noticed lately that there is one service part offered by Rolex that is much more popular than their "original equipment" counterpart. The tropic 38 crystal seems to be the crystal of choice for the 1675/16750s lately - which is a very nice alternative to the standard 116 cyclops crystal. The tropic 38 is a nice alternative to the standard crystal with its clean, uncluttered look. Below are a couple examples of this elusive crystal.

Any other ones out there?

[jdmi32]

Beautiful watches, JP. I might be wrong but wasn't the T38 an option for the 1675? I love the look of it but I had a devil of a time locating one so for now I'm stuck with the cyclops.

[springer]

Originally Posted by jdmi32

Beautiful watches, JP. I might be wrong but wasn't the T38 an option for the 1675? I love the look of it but I had a devil of a time locating one so for now I'm stuck with the cyclops.

As far as I know, it was offered as a service replacement crystal. I've never seen anything which would indicate a GMT came from the factory with a tropic 38 crystal.

[watchyou]

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by springer

As far as I know, it was offered as a service replacement crystal. I've never seen anything which would indicate a GMT came from the factory with a tropic 38 crystal.

Yes, they were offered at some point in the 60's/70's as an option. It's been decades since Rolex has given buyers this choice.

[pablofields]

Originally Posted by springer

As far as I know, it was offered as a service replacement crystal. I've never seen anything which would indicate a GMT came from the factory with a tropic 38 crystal.

I can't get these images to enlarge clearly but if memory serves they indicate T38 as available for the 1675 and then 1655 in the early 70s. I don't know if this means one could order it from Rolex with the T38 from the factory.

http://www.timekeeperforum.com/forum...crystals.8214/

[redfred]

Originally Posted by springer

Any other ones out there?

I was led to believe it was an option from new.

[Im Lauf der Zeit]

It does look good and photographs particularly well.

[JustinK]

Are they currently available from Rolex?

Looks great!

[jdmi32]

Originally Posted by JustinK

Are they currently available from Rolex?

Looks great!

Unfortunately, they are not. The vast majority that you will see for sale that claim to be NOS are most likely not. And if you do find a genuine, intact T38 it will probably cost you well over $500.

[JustinK]

Originally Posted by jdmi32

Unfortunately, they are not. The vast majority that you will see for sale that claim to be NOS are most likely not. And if you do find a genuine, intact T38 it will probably cost you well over $500.

Ouch!

[CrownMe]

i like the dome but still prefer the cyclops

[PoderEsBueno]

Nice photos John, I think t-38 seems to fit well on gmts

[Dr.Smellody]

I did a quick search and nothing popped up, but has anyone ever done a comparison of all sub/GMT crystals with profile height and shape? Side by side? That would be extremely helpful. I'll probably find it as a sticky as soon as I post.

[RC2]

I had a tropic 19 on my 1680. Somewhere there are pics in this forum. I did ask my watchmaker last year about the tropic 38. He said he did not have records of it leaving the factory like this. But from what I saw in the forum it seems to fit well.

[g-boac]

Would either a T38 or a T19 fit a 1675?

[RC2]

T38