A little condensation inside... I do this operation with a soldering iron. I keep a hot soldering iron pressed against the cyclops for around 9 minutes then remove the cyclops with a razer blade knife. The cyclops breaks, but the watch has no damage, so i prefer this method.
Great one! I although hate date watches, the Addiesdive have a cheap and decent quartz in this style (~40-45bucks about), and I wanna remove the cyclops as it very annoying when the hands are under that.
I am a bit split about cyclopses. They can be a feast for the eyes but the often gather a bit of dust around them. A few months ago I had the cyclops removed from my San Martin Subby homage. Their higly praised QC control had failed on this one, the cyclops was heavily misaligned, it was applied way to high. I was scared to do it myself, so I had a watchmaker do it for me. Now I'm happy with the watch. Cheers!
Ha! brilliant, thanks. I never knew these could be removed, just assumed it was part of the crystal. I’ve rejected watches in the past because of them. In fact I don’t really like dates on watches, particularly automatic watches, due to the need to reset them all the time if you rotate what you wear….
Yeah that can get a bit annoying. When my collection was smaller, I used to wind all of them every other day. But that quickly stopped as the connection grew though 😆
I just tried it prior to watching your video. You made it seem so easy. I have a Seiko King Turtle with a cyclops over the day date. I took the movement out and the bezel. The torch I had was a four and three flame cigar torch. The only thing I was able to do was to chip the cyclops. I gave up. I’ll try and buy a single flame torch lighter and try again. Update: soldering iron didn’t work. So I said to hell with it I’ll use my 4 burner torch lighter again. I applied so much heat that the case got extremely hot to the touch and the cyclops still wouldn’t come off. So I got pissed off and used a hammer with the scalpel knife and I knocked that mother f… off.
Damn mine also didn't budge after heating it up for so long. I ended up hammering the s out of the cyclops with a small watch hammer & a watch case back opener. Cleaned the adhesives with goo gone and I love my watch again lol
Just a word of advice, buy a roll of metal hvac tape and cover your bezel to reflect the heat. Ive seen people burn their bezel pretty bad with those butane lighters.
I also removed the cyclops on mine by making a reflector out of aluminum foil in several layers, leaving only the cyclops itself without a reflector (under the glass there is a plastic gasket)
Good job 🙂 I’ve been trying common lighters, soldering irons, razors... to no avail... til I got that blue flame little torch. Couple of touches and you hear the ‘clink’. I had the movement out of case... just in case 😆
"watch me with watches" recommends to remove the bezel, as the high temperature can damage the bezel insert. Guess it can lead to discolouration and cracks. Now, as you have the tools, i am waiting for a "how to make creme brulee" clip. Perfect for Christmas dinner. Way to surprise the partner and family with the good things and added value that come with our hobby.
Oh my - got one on the way that'll need doing. 1st video i've seen of it being done.... All I kept seeing was frozen windscreens cracking when boiling water tipped in them!! 😱😱😱 - well done that man 👍🙈
Had me on pins and needles till it came off. All I could think about was burning the dial or the bezel and when the cyclops came off I just started laughing in relief. lol.
I just removed the cyclops from my watch after watching this, it took a little longer for me but I'm guessing that's just because it's the first time I've done it, the cyclops flew off I applied that much pressure and the residue that was still on the glass I removed with wet and dry sandpaper 2000, looks perfect now 👍
Did this for multiple of my steel dive subs. Looks 10x better. Only down fall is that my watches are no longer water proof. Wondering if I take it apart and seal the sapphire with silicone glue/epoxy….
I just tried it AND IT WORKED! My pro tip: i "soaked" my Seiko Monster in hot water for a few minutes, applying direct heat on an already warm crystal lowers the risk of it cracking from the termic shock.
How did the bezel insert not get damaged with all the heat? Also how about a video on re-adding a cyclops (correctly positioned obviously) back to the watch?
I'm a little late to the party here but thought I'd add my two cents. About 2 weeks ago I did this (almost) exact technique on my Invicta diver. I was persuaded by the notion that if you can directly heat the cyclops, and no other part of the watch, the adhesive underneath can't get any hotter than it's melting temperature *. For more safety, I wrapped the entire watch with aluminum foil, exposing only the cyclops, plus maybe 2mm around it. Reasoning: the foil will deflect any heat not hitting the cyclops. Worked like a charm, took maybe 3 seconds, and the crystal hardly got warmer. In fact, no part of the watch warmed much. If I did it again, especially on a more expensive watch, I'd put some kind of insulation between the watch and foil. * within reason - you can't blast it for an extended time.
The erratic jabbing with the screw driver filled me with anxiety! When I removed the one on my pagani I just carefully used the blow torch until it popped off.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR it's all good though, the cyclops is gone which is the main thing, I can't stand cyclops on any watch, I'd remove it from a Rolex if I had one!
Thanks mate. But it's easier to be brave when it's only on a relatively cheap homage. There's no way I'd it on any expensive watches (if I could afford them) 😰😆
I think if I ever try this I would use a painters heat gun and cut a piece of thin timber with a hole in it as a cover template so I only applied heat to the cyclops. I hate the look of a cyclops on a watch. But maybe on some watches they look acceptable.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR i got a Steeldive these days. Love the Duo tone on the bracelet. Mine is just brushed. The maginification is rediculously big. Got mine in black, because I wanted to feel like James Bond... But I think the Blue one is mine!
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR No. I think I will sell It off and get a new one. I orded it in Black.... I liked the Blue, but I was thinking maybe I like the Black, the Bond. But It does nothing for me. I might get myself a Blue One.
I'm not the best modder myself, but for the next time you may want to remove the bezel! That's easy as well, but you won't damage this insert 😁 Anyway, great video buddy!
I managed to crack the glass on my first attempt at this mod - fortunately it was only a £10 Tevise, so not too many tears shed and a lesson learned. Agree that removing the Cyclops really improves the look of divers.
Wow, that burner is a beast. I did the same thing on my mini-turtle. You were much more sensible in your approach. Perfect result in both cases however. Congrats.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR i taped up the bezel with masking tape and proceeded to burn the shit out of the dial. The hardlex got very hot and the cyclops was off way before I stopped. After cleaning it up, though, everything was perfectly fine.
Great job getting rid of that stupid cyclops thingy (mostly unnecessary and ruins most dial designs IMHO). And since you tapped your feet slightly into the eternal rabbit hole here, we hopefully might be looking forward to some more cool modding videos..? (Welcome to the REAL dark side my dear son, muahhuahuahuah..!!)
a soldering iron is my prefered weapon to slay cyclopses :)
Me, too!
Thank you! I scream this at all these videos
Could not find any videos on the tube using soldering iron.
Need to remove two cyclops
Just took mine off my Steeldive today using this same method. What did you use to remove the adhesive?
I held my breath the entire time once I saw the size of that torch. Glad your first mod went well!
You and me both.
Just me or at 3:42 you can see some condensation under the glass on the lower half of the dial? Maybe the butane?
Yeah I think it was. It's funny cleared now though.
Thank you!!I just did it with same tool. How easy was that… the cyclops being gone has renewed my love for this particular watch!!!
I'm glad the video was helpful. You didn't have any mishaps like I did then? 😊
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR thankfully none
@@HoroHigh369 That's good. Which watch did you do it on then?
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR A rolex yachtmaster that I share with my husband- he almost had a heart attack after I told him him how I removed it.🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@HoroHigh369 😳😲 I'm not surprised. What did he think of the result though?
A little condensation inside... I do this operation with a soldering iron. I keep a hot soldering iron pressed against the cyclops for around 9 minutes then remove the cyclops with a razer blade knife. The cyclops breaks, but the watch has no damage, so i prefer this method.
Interesting.
Great one! I although hate date watches, the Addiesdive have a cheap and decent quartz in this style (~40-45bucks about), and I wanna remove the cyclops as it very annoying when the hands are under that.
I am a bit split about cyclopses. They can be a feast for the eyes but the often gather a bit of dust around them. A few months ago I had the cyclops removed from my San Martin Subby homage. Their higly praised QC control had failed on this one, the cyclops was heavily misaligned, it was applied way to high. I was scared to do it myself, so I had a watchmaker do it for me. Now I'm happy with the watch. Cheers!
Yeah I know what you mean. I'm kind of the same at the moment.
Ha! brilliant, thanks. I never knew these could be removed, just assumed it was part of the crystal. I’ve rejected watches in the past because of them. In fact I don’t really like dates on watches, particularly automatic watches, due to the need to reset them all the time if you rotate what you wear….
Yeah that can get a bit annoying. When my collection was smaller, I used to wind all of them every other day. But that quickly stopped as the connection grew though 😆
Get the flamethrower, Hans!
I just tried it prior to watching your video. You made it seem so easy. I have a Seiko King Turtle with a cyclops over the day date. I took the movement out and the bezel. The torch I had was a four and three flame cigar torch. The only thing I was able to do was to chip the cyclops. I gave up. I’ll try and buy a single flame torch lighter and try again.
Update: soldering iron didn’t work. So I said to hell with it I’ll use my 4 burner torch lighter again. I applied so much heat that the case got extremely hot to the touch and the cyclops still wouldn’t come off. So I got pissed off and used a hammer with the scalpel knife and I knocked that mother f… off.
Perhaps with it being a bigger cyclops it just takes a little longer.
Damn mine also didn't budge after heating it up for so long. I ended up hammering the s out of the cyclops with a small watch hammer & a watch case back opener. Cleaned the adhesives with goo gone and I love my watch again lol
Watched to see if you'd set something on fire...maybe next time 🤷♂️
😆
🤣
Just a word of advice, buy a roll of metal hvac tape and cover your bezel to reflect the heat. Ive seen people burn their bezel pretty bad with those butane lighters.
Thanks for the tip.
I also removed the cyclops on mine by making a reflector out of aluminum foil in several layers, leaving only the cyclops itself without a reflector (under the glass there is a plastic gasket)
I just ordered the SD1953 in black. Will definitely remove the cyclops when it arrives in 4 or 5 weeks. Cheers!
Let us know how you get on when you do.
Good job 🙂 I’ve been trying common lighters, soldering irons, razors... to no avail... til I got that blue flame little torch. Couple of touches and you hear the ‘clink’. I had the movement out of case... just in case 😆
Thanks. I did think about doing that, but didn't want to mess it up.
what did you use to clean up the crystal???
I wasn't really sure what to use, so ended up using a combination of nail varnish remover and vinegar 🤣
Damn that blue bezel n dial looks amazing. I saw pics on aliexpress n the dial looked almost purple. Does it look like the video in real life?
Yes it looks like it does in the video in real life.
"watch me with watches" recommends to remove the bezel, as the high temperature can damage the bezel insert. Guess it can lead to discolouration and cracks.
Now, as you have the tools, i am waiting for a "how to make creme brulee" clip. Perfect for Christmas dinner. Way to surprise the partner and family with the good things and added value that come with our hobby.
Pretty sure taping the bezel is enough.
my steeldive has exactly the same problem but with my DIY skills ill burn the house down well done)
Honestly if I can do it, anyone can. I have no DIY skills either.
Try a soldering iron
A few people have strictest l suggested that. Unfortunately I don't have one though.
Oh my - got one on the way that'll need doing. 1st video i've seen of it being done.... All I kept seeing was frozen windscreens cracking when boiling water tipped in them!! 😱😱😱 - well done that man 👍🙈
Yeah it was pretty nerve racking 😬
Had me on pins and needles till it came off. All I could think about was burning the dial or the bezel and when the cyclops came off I just started laughing in relief. lol.
I'm glad the anxiety I was feeling came across on camera 😆
I just removed the cyclops from my watch after watching this, it took a little longer for me but I'm guessing that's just because it's the first time I've done it, the cyclops flew off I applied that much pressure and the residue that was still on the glass I removed with wet and dry sandpaper 2000, looks perfect now 👍
I'm glad it worked for you. It's pretty nerve racking isn't it?
Did this for multiple of my steel dive subs. Looks 10x better. Only down fall is that my watches are no longer water proof. Wondering if I take it apart and seal the sapphire with silicone glue/epoxy….
Ya big girl, I did it in one with a jet lighter not a flamethrower. 😁
very brave dude!! i wanted to get the king turtle and do the same but not confident i will do it without screwing up the watch LOL
It's not as bad as you'd think really. If I can do it, anyone can.
I cracked the glass on my Invicta trying this. My new Steeldive arrived yesterday!!
I just tried it AND IT WORKED! My pro tip: i "soaked" my Seiko Monster in hot water for a few minutes, applying direct heat on an already warm crystal lowers the risk of it cracking from the termic shock.
Good tip. I'm glad it worked for you.
Thanks for watching . I see what you did there
Looks much better. These are my favorite videos! I'm modding watches myself. Keep up the good work!
Thanks mate.
What are other plans for this watch? White ceramic bezel mod to make it a yatchmaster type watch?
I plan on trying to brush the mid links.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR scotch brite!
Yeah that's what I was thinking too.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR any updates?
@@waris3732 To be honest I completely forgot all about it. Been too busy with other watches and work.
I will try it!! What solvent did you use to remove the residues!?
I wasn't really sure what to use, so ended up using a combination of nail varnish remover and vinegar 🤣
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR wow you really took all the risks 🤣 ! Thanks 🙏🏻
Yeah, I probably should have done some research before really 🤭
Very tempted to try this on a mod I'm planning soon. How did you clean off the glue/marks on the sapphire?
I wasn't really sure how to remove it, so I ended up using a combination of nail varnish remover and vinegar 🤦♂️😆
Good job mate , I need to do this with my PD that i got last week , cyclops is so bad you can't actually see the date lol , didn't look too difficult
Yeah that's exactly what this one was like too. It's a lot easier than I thought it would be really.
How did the bezel insert not get damaged with all the heat? Also how about a video on re-adding a cyclops (correctly positioned obviously) back to the watch?
I think I got lucky. I wouldn't even know how to re-add one 🤷♂️
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR I'm assuming some LOCA glue and curing would do the trick.
Looks much better mate! Now I've seen you do that I may well have a go at one on a pagani. 😁
I think so too. If I can do it, anyone can.
Seems like removing the bezel and the movement would not be a bad idea. But, man, that was a simple way to do that.
Yeah that definitely would have been the smarter way to do it.
Am I imagining things or are there water droplets inside the case in the final part of video?
😉
You are a master, if I would do that something would burn for sure. Thanks for showing 🚒
I don't know about that. I think I was lucky more than anything.
Such a great watch. Wish it came without date.
You absolutely will melt the plastic ring (ask me how I know) and probably the the lube.
Ah ok 😉
Thanks for this! Just did this on a few of my watches. I really don’t like Cyclopes.
I'm guessing you made it look it easier than I did though 😆
Real squeaky bum time watching this. Well done! Did the heat affect the lume at all?
@@davecobb5649 It was doing it too 😆 No, it didn't affect the lume.
I'm a little late to the party here but thought I'd add my two cents. About 2 weeks ago I did this (almost) exact technique on my Invicta diver.
I was persuaded by the notion that if you can directly heat the cyclops, and no other part of the watch, the adhesive underneath can't get any hotter than it's melting temperature *.
For more safety, I wrapped the entire watch with aluminum foil, exposing only the cyclops, plus maybe 2mm around it. Reasoning: the foil will deflect any heat not hitting the cyclops.
Worked like a charm, took maybe 3 seconds, and the crystal hardly got warmer. In fact, no part of the watch warmed much.
If I did it again, especially on a more expensive watch, I'd put some kind of insulation between the watch and foil.
* within reason - you can't blast it for an extended time.
They sold you _that_ as a cigar lighter? A table lighter maybe, but it looks more like something you'd use to finish a creme brulee.
I think that's exactly what it is 😆
The erratic jabbing with the screw driver filled me with anxiety! When I removed the one on my pagani I just carefully used the blow torch until it popped off.
What it just popped off without touching it?
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR yes mate, you can tell when it let's go
I wish I'd known that before I started.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR it's all good though, the cyclops is gone which is the main thing, I can't stand cyclops on any watch, I'd remove it from a Rolex if I had one!
Looks better, well done mate
Thanks 👍
You no longer a mod virgin.Well done,keep on modding😁
No I'm not 😆 I haven't done anything else since though.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR The time will come no rush.😁
@@jasonemanuel9070 Pun intended? 😉
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR haha,no not at all!
Nice I didn't know you could do that. Might actually buy a submariner homage now and just take off the cyclops (i hate the look of them)
Give it a go. It's not as bad as I thought it would be in the end.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR I saw someone else mentioned using a soldering iron, I'd probably do that.
Holy smokes it worked and looks good
I was a bit shocked too.
You're a braver man than me! Well done - great job
Thanks mate. But it's easier to be brave when it's only on a relatively cheap homage. There's no way I'd it on any expensive watches (if I could afford them) 😰😆
I tried this on my GMT pagani. End up taking Cyclops off. But also the glass came out. Think it overheated the watch too much!! Live and learn.
That's unlucky.
I think if I ever try this I would use a painters heat gun and cut a piece of thin timber with a hole in it as a cover template so I only applied heat to the cyclops. I hate the look of a cyclops on a watch. But maybe on some watches they look acceptable.
That's probably a good idea.
Excellent looks much better
I think so too. It was a bit nervy getting there though 😬
Looks Good!
Cheers 👍
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR i got a Steeldive these days. Love the Duo tone on the bracelet. Mine is just brushed. The maginification is rediculously big. Got mine in black, because I wanted to feel like James Bond... But I think the Blue one is mine!
@@darioscomicschool1111 Are you thinking about removing the Cyclops on yours too then?
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR No. I think I will sell It off and get a new one. I orded it in Black.... I liked the Blue, but I was thinking maybe I like the Black, the Bond. But It does nothing for me. I might get myself a Blue One.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR Nope. I leave it on there. It kinda "grew" on my over the past few days. And It was not misaligned.
I'm not the best modder myself, but for the next time you may want to remove the bezel! That's easy as well, but you won't damage this insert 😁
Anyway, great video buddy!
That's for the tip mate.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR yes but you would then damage the rubber seal
Very well done 😊👍
Thank you. It was nerve wracking though.
You don't need a flamethrower to get the job done. lol
It's more exciting when you do though 😂
I managed to crack the glass on my first attempt at this mod - fortunately it was only a £10 Tevise, so not too many tears shed and a lesson learned. Agree that removing the Cyclops really improves the look of divers.
That's exactly what I was worried about. That's bad luck mate. But like you say, at least it was only on a cheap watch.
Yes, the Tevise divers might have been made for modding practice!
I was wondering,did you or do you have a model building channel ? I'm sure I recognize your voice from somewhere else 😂👍
No I've not got it had any other channels. If you do find the channel you're on about though, put the link here. I'm intrigued to here them now.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR will do😃👍
Much better!
Thanks.
You cooked it, you ruddy cooked it 😢
Not a fan of cyclops, might have to try that myself....⌚🏴⌚🏴
It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Plus if I can do it, anyone can.
Use a soldering iron if you are being lazy. Easier to target the heat.
That probably would be a lot less stressful 😆
Needs a date frame now lol 😂
I actually quite like it without 😉
Wow, that burner is a beast. I did the same thing on my mini-turtle. You were much more sensible in your approach. Perfect result in both cases however. Congrats.
How did you do yours then?
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR i taped up the bezel with masking tape and proceeded to burn the shit out of the dial. The hardlex got very hot and the cyclops was off way before I stopped. After cleaning it up, though, everything was perfectly fine.
Looks better. Not really a fan of those things.
Cheers. I'm the same really.
jesus dude... use a soldering iron to take that off.
A few people have said that. I would have done that, if I had one.
hello my friend
Hello 👋
Great job getting rid of that stupid cyclops thingy (mostly unnecessary and ruins most dial designs IMHO). And since you tapped your feet slightly into the eternal rabbit hole here, we hopefully might be looking forward to some more cool modding videos..? (Welcome to the REAL dark side my dear son, muahhuahuahuah..!!)
Maybe at some point I will. But this was nerve racking enough for me at the moment 😬😆
man you made that look so sketchy.
@@TonyUpton-n8s I know 😆
Not the best way. Be glad its a cheap watch. Use wood or plastic and a hammer. One hit and its off.
I'd be worried about smashing the crystal doing that though.
@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR Its all about the angle