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Crystal

Crystal with Cyclops date magnifier

Probable

A magnifying lens fused or moulded over the date aperture, magnifying it 2.5 times on the modern specification. The magnification figure is the checkable part: a lens that visibly fails to fill the aperture with the date is a common counterfeit tell, because getting the optics right requires the correct lens curvature rather than merely a raised bump.

Part reference

Brand
Rolex
Material
Acrylic on vintage references, sapphire from the 1980s
Identifying marks
The date fills the aperture when viewed square on. The lens is centred over the window and, on sapphire crystals, carries an anti-reflective treatment underneath on current production. On acrylic vintage crystals the Cyclops is part of the moulding rather than a separate applied lens.

Documented variations

Classification

FactoryDocumented as shipped from the factory for this reference and period.PeriodNot original to this watch, but correct for its production period.ServiceFitted by the manufacturer's own service network. Not a defect.AftermarketThird-party part. Affects originality, not authenticity.ModifiedGenuine parts in a configuration the factory did not sell. Affects originality and value, not authenticity.CounterfeitDeceptive reproduction intended to pass as genuine.UnknownEvidence on file does not settle the question.

  • Aftermarket replacement crystal

    AftermarketProbable

    Whole production

    Acrylic crystals are consumable and are replaced routinely; aftermarket sapphire replacements are also widely fitted. A replaced crystal is a service or originality observation of low significance on a vintage watch, and it removes the crystal as evidence.

Documented on these references

  • Rolex 1680Factory

    Whole production

    Acrylic on this reference, with the Cyclops moulded in rather than applied.

Provenance of this record

Sources & Evidence

Primary sourceManufacturer documentation

Rolex — current collection specifications and technical pages

Rolex SA

Accessed
2026-08-18

Cited for

This referenceHigh confidence
View source ↗
Secondary sourceCollector research

Rolex collector research on caliber transitions, dial generations and case marks

Rolex Forums, VRF and allied collector communities

Accessed
2026-08-18

Cited for

This referenceProbable

Last verified: Not yet reviewed