Yachtmaster glass

[R8Steve]

I recently purchased a yachtmaster 16622 and was wondering if it is possible to change the glass on these watches?

I think it would be a far better looking watch without the date magnification bubble on the glass but not sure if this is possible.

Anyone know if it can be done and if so where would be able to do it?

[jshell]

R8Steve said:

I recently purchased a yachtmaster 16622 and was wondering if it is possible to change the glass on these watches?

I think it would be a far better looking watch without the date magnification bubble on the glass but not sure if this is possible.

Anyone know if it can be done and if so where would be able to do it?

The bubble or 'cyclops' can be removed as it is only glued on. Many do it as they prefer the look and my wife had the cyclops removed from her DJ. Speak to an AD or watchmaker.

[Variomatic]

Removing the magnifier is fairly straightforward but it's a very good idea to remove the crystal from the watch first. They're glued on with UV setting epoxy (the same stuff you can get to glue rear view mirrors back on your windscreen) which breaks down if heated to about 120 - 150 deg C.

There's a small risk of cracking the crystal when heating - it's safer to do in an oven rather than with a flame so the whole thing heats gradually. Obviously, heating the whole watch like that is not recommended, hence the suggestion to remove the crystal first!

[16plates]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzhYmhawDCg

Decent video. I've been pondering removing the cyclops from my Steinhart recently...

[Variomatic]

16plates said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzhYmhawDCg

Decent video. I've been pondering removing the cyclops from my Steinhart recently...

Yep, that's how easy it is unless it goes wrong. The risk is small but real and anyone doing it that way really needs to be aware of it.

[MG511]

16plates said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzhYmhawDCg

Decent video. I've been pondering removing the cyclops from my Steinhart recently...

He is using a £65 Invicta in that video http://www.amazon.co.uk/Invicta-Two-Tone-Automatic... not sure I'd try it on a Rolex (who may use better quality glue!)