The Rolex Cyclops Lens

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tempusmaximus
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The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by tempusmaximus »

Not just a magnifier but a hallmark of (almost) all Rolex watches with date , meet the Cyclops lens .

https://monochrome-watches.com/the-rolex-cyclops-lens/
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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by neilj568 »

I like the Cyclops lens....(runs for cover..... :D )
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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by Thegreyman »

They are certainly a bit marmite but are part of the Rolex look. I can't decide whether I get on with them or not. On the right watch I think I'd be fine with it.
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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by CHZacc »

Never used to be a fan of it, but now with my eyesight getting worse with age, I appreciate it :thumbup:
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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by nbg »

Ah the Rolex cyclops! :D

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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by gaf1958 »

I absolutely hate, hate, hate the bl**dy things, but that’s a well known prejudice of mine. To me, they are akin to scratches on a crystal; they ruin the clear viewing of the dial.

It’s not however just a hatred of a cyclops on a Rolex, it’s any cyclops. The presence of a cyclops lens is enough for me to automatically exclude any watch as a potential purchase. I can admire a watch and genuinely think it’s lovely, but if fitted with a cyclops, I simply don’t consider it for purchase. I think I t would have to be a fantastic watch for me to even consider buying it, if fitted with a cyclops. For example, I’ve only ever owned two Rolex watches - both were no-date models.
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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by nbg »

gaf1958 wrote: Fri Oct 05, 2018 10:09 pm I absolutely hate, hate, hate the bl**dy things, but that’s a well known prejudice of mine. To me, they are akin to scratches on a crystal; they ruin the clear viewing of the dial.

It’s not however just a hatred of a cyclops on a Rolex, it’s any cyclops. The presence of a cyclops lens is enough for me to automatically exclude any watch as a potential purchase. I can admire a watch and genuinely think it’s lovely, but if fitted with a cyclops, I simply don’t consider it for purchase. I think I t would have to be a fantastic watch for me to even consider buying it, if fitted with a cyclops. For example, I’ve only ever owned two Rolex watches - both were no-date models.
But at least you are consistent in your view on the cyclops Gary! :)

It’s an item on what might otherwise be an attractive watch from your perspective - therefore logic dictates you don’t buy it. :thumbup:

Quite right and no less correct or logical than folk who will not entertain buying a watch, they otherwise find attractive, if they do not like the manner in which the makers Mark is displayed on the dial. :wink:

Fortunately I am relaxed about the cyclops and have a mix of with and without.

The views that I find amusing are a “I hate a cyclops” comment, but on other occasions are found to have said something commenting positively on how good a particular cyclops bearing watch looks! :lol:

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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by reggie747 »

I think its just fine - having said that, none of my Rolex has one !

Edit : 16570 does :oops:
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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by gaf1958 »

nbg wrote:
gaf1958 wrote: Fri Oct 05, 2018 10:09 pmI can admire a watch and genuinely think it’s lovely, but if fitted with a cyclops, I simply don’t consider it for purchase.
The views that I find amusing are a “I hate a cyclops” comment, but on other occasions are found to have said something commenting positively on how good a particular cyclops bearing watch looks! :lol:
I have been known to fall into that category Neil :wink: but I hope I’ve gotten away with it. :lol:
Fortunately, I can like a watch, regardless of cyclops status, but living with a cyclops (which I have done, once, and it wasn’t a Rolex...) is not something I’d pay money to do a second time. It simply annoyed me the entire time I owned it, but back in the day, with little kids, I simply put up with it until I could afford and justify a new watch.
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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by H0rati0 »

My two penn'orth: I like them as so practical, just like a Rolex itself. I wore a Datejust for 25 years more or less daily and it was my most worn watch, only two services in all that time and it ran faultlessly. At some point it just did not seem appropriate anymore so I stopped wearing it and eventually sold it. I regret that nowadays (the only moved-on I miss) even though I would almost certainly never wear it given my lifestyle now.
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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by Lavaine »

I don't have strong feelings one way or the other on the Cyclops. I don't mind the look on sports models, but I do find that it looks out of place on the Day-Date and Datejust. What I find interesting is how poorly the cyclops works on so many homage versions. It can't be that hard to implement though, because strangely, the infamous Invicta diver has a surprisingly good magnifier.
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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by blowfish89 »

gaf1958 wrote:I absolutely hate, hate, hate the bl**dy things, but that’s a well known prejudice of mine. To me, they are akin to scratches on a crystal; they ruin the clear viewing of the dial.

It’s not however just a hatred of a cyclops on a Rolex, it’s any cyclops. The presence of a cyclops lens is enough for me to automatically exclude any watch as a potential purchase. I can admire a watch and genuinely think it’s lovely, but if fitted with a cyclops, I simply don’t consider it for purchase. I think I t would have to be a fantastic watch for me to even consider buying it, if fitted with a cyclops. For example, I’ve only ever owned two Rolex watches - both were no-date models.
We’ll see how you feel when your eyes are older :lol:
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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by downer »

I don't have strong feelings either way about the cyclops, although it is clearly part of the Rolex design language and it seems to sit quite well on most models.

Having said that, as a date-reading device I think it is flawed. From directly above, there is no doubt it magnifies the date and makes it easier to read. However, from any other angle the date is distorted and difficult to read. So, in my mind, a bigger/clearer date (where the date numeral sits comfortably inside the window) is actually a more practical solution.
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Re: The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by Lavaine »

downer wrote: Sun Oct 07, 2018 8:58 am So, in my mind, a bigger/clearer date (where the date numeral sits comfortably inside the window) is actually a more practical solution.
This. The Glashutte Original date window is maybe the best 'big date' implementation in the industry. It doesn't work in every design (I don't love it on the GO pilot), but on the right watch, even ALS can't beat it.
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The Rolex Cyclops Lens

Post by gaf1958 »

blowfish89 wrote:We’ll see how you feel when your eyes are older Image
Haha, got an answer for that one! Image I had lens replacement surgery early this year and my eyesight is now somewhat better than 20-20 at most distances, but particularly so close up. No need for a cyclops in the foreseeable future. Image
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