No Laser etched coronet... should i be concerned?

[Yinger]

Hey everyone,

I posted a picture of my first rolex in another thread, but figured i'd start a new one since it's a different topic. I recently bought an M series TT submariner. After looking at it for quite a while, I couldn't find the LEC. My friend, his wife and my fiancee couldn't find it either after searching for quite a while . Should i be concerned? The seller has good reviews here on the forums (from members and moderators) as well as ebay. I texted the seller asking him if it should have it and he said no. Then i asked if all Rolex's should have it after 2002 and he said nah. What do you guys think? here are some pics

[perpetualman88]

that model should have the LEC.
It is very small at the 6 o clock end. It must be hit with the correct angle and light to see it with the naked eye

if not perhaps it is an aftermarket crystal

[T. Ferguson]

It's easier to see if you hit it with an LED flashlight and look at it on an angle. Play around with the lighting and you will find it if it's there.

[theloxmyth]

Vewy, vewy twicky, to see the LEC..



Above, taken with this...


Full sun...


Use a flashlight at an angle to find it.

[Tools]

Yes, it should definitely have it.

However, they are very small and difficult to find if you are not familiar with them..

[Yinger]

yeah, i shined the LED light from my iphone on it and used the loupe at the same time and still couldn't find it. I looked at all different angles and even looked at different markers because i googled that some people found it at different hour markers. I saw it on my friend's Rolex before, but wasn't able to locate it after looking for quite some time under different lighting and angles. Hope it's just an aftermarket crystal if anything... but if it is, i wish I was made aware of that

[Yinger]

here is the original ebay link. I usually wouldn't buy from ebay, but I saw the reviews for this seller on the forums and felt good about it. He did say that he had it polished so maybe the LEC got polished off?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:B:BOC:US:1123

[ecsub44]

Originally Posted by Yinger

He did say that he had it polished so maybe the LEC got polished off?

Not possible. The "dots" of the LEC are at different depths within the crystal.

[Cc1966]

As noted above, it is probably an aftermarket crystal. If it was a Rolex the LEC would be plain or with an "S" (for service part).

[Mr. K]

Try looking again with a loupe and an LED light. If not there, then I'd be concerned. Why was the crystal replaced, what happened to the watch and why was it not replaced by Rolex? My bet is that is it there, you just need to locate it.

Can you still return it?

That is where ADs have their value in buying new.

Good luck.

[Yinger]

hmm.. he said everything is original. I'm hoping I just can't find it, but it does have me concerned. I am able to return it within 7 days. I'll take it in tomorrow to have it checked out.

Thanks for the information everyone

[southtexas]

I just looked using my iPhone light and naked eye. It's clearly visible to the naked eye if you tilt the watch correctly with the light on it. As others have suggested, maybe the crystal was replaced?

[GradyPhilpott]

Use an LED flashlight shining down from 12 o'clock. I'm not sure the iPhone LED would be strong enough. You shouldn't need a loupe to see it under those conditions, but it will still be quite small.

[Rolex Freak]

Usaveontime is a legit seller. I've purchased in the past and have met him in person.

[accce]

If you are concerned return the watch.

[Rolex Freak]

I just used the flashlight from my iPhone 4S and I can see the logo no problem. Turn off all the lights around you and try again. If you still can't see it, take it into an AD.

[second time]

When I was at the dealership to pick up my new GMT II even the salesperson was unable to locate it. I took it home and looked for it for 3 days with a magnifying glass and still no luck.

Finally my wife could contain her curiosity no longer and asked why the heck was I looking at that watch with the magnifier? I explained and she had a go and found it!

The pictures you see of it make it look quite easy to see, it's anything but. First it's about half the size of a pin head and secondly it's FAINT. You need to find the right angle to look for it as well in very bright light.

Keep searching!

[Yinger]

Originally Posted by Rolex Freak

Usaveontime is a legit seller. I've purchased in the past and have met him in person.

yeah, after reading all the feedback, I was reassured. I'm just curious as to why this one doesn't have the etching. I asked him and he said not all models have it. Either way, i'm going to bring it to the rolex store tomorrow and ask them about it.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Yinger

yeah, after reading all the feedback, I was reassured. I'm just curious as to why this one doesn't have the etching. I asked him and he said not all models have it. Either way, i'm going to bring it to the rolex store tomorrow and ask them about it.

If there is no LEC you may want to have the watch pressure tested while you're there (if you're keeping it).

[Rolex Freak]

Originally Posted by Yinger

yeah, after reading all the feedback, I was reassured. I'm just curious as to why this one doesn't have the etching. I asked him and he said not all models have it. Either way, i'm going to bring it to the rolex store tomorrow and ask them about it.

I'm told from a very reliable and trusted seller here on TRF that ALL M serials have the logo. If there isn't its an aftermarket crystal.

[Yinger]

Originally Posted by Rolex Freak

I'm told from a very reliable and trusted seller here on TRF that ALL M serials have the logo. If there isn't its an aftermarket crystal.

I figured that. Would be weird if Rolex skipped out on a handful of watches...

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

If there is no LEC you may want to have the watch pressure tested while you're there (if you're keeping it).

I'll definitely do that!

[jshepard]

That's why when I first bought preowned I picked it up from USPS then went straight the nearest AD with a watchmaker. Trusted seller or not, people make mistakes and oversee things... The fee for authentication is a small price to pay for a peace of mind.

[Rolex Freak]

I'm told from the same reliable TRF seller that if you use a LED light and can't see it than its not there.

[Yinger]

it's definitely not there and definitely going to an AD tomorrow

[Rolex Freak]

Originally Posted by Yinger

it's definitely not there and definitely going to an AD tomorrow

AD or RSC.

[Shade]

Goodluck Yinger! Sometimes the coronet is way off centre - be sure to check at wierd and unusual hour markers (and angles)..

[Thatguy]

Let us know how the AD visit goes.

[Yinger]

will do! just realized that the two service centers my buddy recommended are only open M thru F or M thru Sat. Might have to wait until monday for this one. EIther way, I'll keep everyone posted and thanks again for the advice! Love this forum!

[samuel019]

How about posting a close up picture?

[Yinger]

Here's a quick one from my iphone... I can't find the battery charger for my DSLR. Let me know if you guys want an even closer picture and I can try to use another point and shoot.