Removing a cyclops from a crystal

I may need to remove a cyclops from a watch crystal at some point and I came across this video



Can I just check with everyone is this the best way to remove one ??

Cheers John

nnnnooooooooooooooooooo!!!

you need a soldering iron, let it heat up and hold the tip in the center of the cyclops for about a minute then quickly cut it off with a sharp blade, the residue glue will just polish off with mr sheen or similar
using a flame puts too much heat through the crystal and it could crack or melt the crystal gasket

Thanks for the advice I shall be borrowing my Son's Soldering iron at some time in the not so distant future

SeikoJohn wrote:Thanks for the advice I shall be borrowing my Son's Soldering iron at some time in the not so distant future

you have to keep the heat localised to the cyclops as all you are trying to do is melt a tiny amount of glue

This is something I have wanted to try for a while now but have never had the nerve to try .... until now

SeikoJohn wrote:This is something I have wanted to try for a while now but have never had the nerve to try .... until now

its very easy as long as the heat stay with the cyclops which it will with a soldering iron....if it all goes wrong then.........

I do find cyclops helpful for telling the date with my poor eyesight.    I hadn’t realised though that the cyclops was glued onto the glass.


I wonder if this is always the case and the same method is used by all brands like Rolex etc. 


Given they are not to everyone’s taste when buying a specific expensive watch new can you select whether to have a cyclops or non cyclops model? 


If not you would have to be quite brave to try and remove the cyclops on your shiny new Rolex. 

daff62 wrote:I do find cyclops helpful for telling the date with my poor eyesight.    I hadn’t realised though that the cyclops was glued onto the glass.


I wonder if this is always the case and the same method is used by all brands like Rolex etc. 


Given they are not to everyone’s taste when buying a specific expensive watch new can you select whether to have a cyclops or non cyclops model? 


If not you would have to be quite brave to try and remove the cyclops on your shiny new Rolex. 

the Rolex ones are glued on as well, they use UV activated glue.they are easy to remove and even easier if the crystal is off the watch as they can be left to soak in nail varnish remover which will dissolve the glue, the Rolex ones are a bit of a step up from the norm being sapphire, but others are starting to do the same now
its also easy to add a cyclops as they are readily available and only need a tiny amount of adhesive

I remember when I bought this Invicta from Domecurb ( Yes it was originally a normal Invicta ) that it had a cyclops on it and I asked him to remove it simply because I did not know how plus I did not have the courage

the Rolex ones are glued on as well, they use UV activated glue.they are easy to remove and even easier if the crystal is off the watch as they can be left to soak in nail varnish remover which will dissolve the glue, the Rolex ones are a bit of a step up from the norm being sapphire, but others are starting to do the same now
its also easy to add a cyclops as they are readily available and only need a  tiny amount of adhesive

That’s very interesting and I would never have thought that it would be possible to glue a cyclops onto a glass either. Presumably that means you don’t necessarily de-value a watch by removing the cyclops though don’t think that would be something I would try myself. 

A very interesting read I too always thought that they were permanently cast/machine onto the glass and non removable

Robti wrote:A very interesting read I too always thought that they were permanently  cast/machine  onto the glass and non removable

the acrylic crystals are all in one and would need to be ground off