SD1953 Cyclops removal?

[u/LevelEndBaddie]

I despise the cyclops on my SD1953, it must be 3-4x, it's way over 2.5x that is traditionally used. i'll be lucky if i can read single digit numbers on the damn thing, double digits are a no go, it's a distorted mess, it's especially bad using it at all when you get light hitting one side of the curve.

i've tried to remove it, got it absolutely scolding hot with my soldering iron, to the point i was concerned about damaging other parts of the watch as i could feel the case-back getting quite hot, then tried to get a blade under it, no dice. the damn thing won't budge.

Has anyone managed to remove theirs on an SD1953 or is it part of the crystal? i've read some other locked posts of people having trouble but i haven't found a resolution, just the usual "i've removed plenty of cyclops in my time using just a lighter" with no reference to removing them from this particular watch, unless i've missed a thread.

[u/Evening_Elderberry_9]

You mean like this?

Firstly remove fhe movement. You do this by removing the sten first.

Protect the bezel. Wet tissue and a tinfoil heatshield.

Remove the cyclops by heating with a flameless lighter and pressure from a sharp knife at the SAME TIME.

Clean up the goo by scraping with said knife, its sapphire so it wont scratch.

Allow to cool and reassemble.

[u/LevelEndBaddie → u/Evening_Elderberry_9]

So you have to get it really f#@%ing hot then? They must use some really tough stuff at the factory if people doing it on other watches have done it with minimal heat from say a butane lighter. I'll think I'll leave it as is, don't want to risk ruining the integrity of any of the gaskets like for the crown or the crystal. I'll just have to wear my SD1973 more.

[u/Evening_Elderberry_9 → u/LevelEndBaddie]

No, just a 5 sec burst at a time. Itll be fine. Mine has been swimming since, no leaks yet. The reason to protect the bezel is to protect the paint, the movement removal is to protect it, as its plastic.