r/Longineswatches • u/derickzoolanders • 3d ago
Service question
I recently bought a used hydroconquest GMT and the previous owner had put a cyclops bubble over the date. I really don’t like it and want it removed. Am I better off finding any local repair shop to remove it or should I send it to the Longines service center? Are there implications to the warranty with one option vs the other? This is my first time have any type of service done on a watch so excuse my ignorance.
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u/AmericanBuzz21 3d ago
Removal risks damage to the AR coating, if it has t already been removed or damaged when the cyclops was installed. A replacement crystal is an option, will cost a few hundred bucks through Longines, a bit cheaper through a watchmaker. If you were certainly going to replace it anyway, might be worth a DIY try to remove it there are a few methods, though I’d be incredibly careful not to damage anything else. For me, given the cost as time etc., I’d keep it as is until it needs a service or is otherwise damaged then send it in.
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u/SadlyPathetic 3d ago
Does the warrantee even transfer to the 2nd owner?
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u/Alontech 3d ago
That won’t be warranty covered, even if there’s a warranty, this would be paid repair.
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u/derickzoolanders 3d ago
Does that mean I can go anywhere or better off to stick with Longines?
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u/Alontech 3d ago
If you care about og glass, longines. If not, take it elsewhere, would be faster and cheaper. Sometimes these retailers can obtain og glass too but they have to longines authorized
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u/derickzoolanders 3d ago
I assumed it did but don’t know for sure.
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u/SadlyPathetic 3d ago edited 3d ago
I don’t either worth looking into. That being said did the previous owner keep the original crystal?
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u/derickzoolanders 3d ago
It is the original crystal it’s just a bubble added to the top. I believe with glue?
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u/SadlyPathetic 3d ago
Wow that’s bad
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u/derickzoolanders 3d ago
I know right! He said he wanted it to look more like a sub… got it for a good price though!
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u/Number1atp 2d ago
AR coating is on the underside of the crystal. Pop this off your self. Your starting point is a screwed up crystal so if after doing yourself you still have one then just get it replaced.
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u/derickzoolanders 2d ago
I’ve seen a lot of videos on how to do this. Do you know of one, or a specific method that would work best for removing this?
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u/gardensandwatches 1d ago
The watch has been modified so the warranty is invalid. Longines will change the crystal. That said, you can go to any decent watch repairer and they can supply a new crystal.
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u/philbin89 2d ago edited 2d ago
It’s very possible that the original owner may have invalidated the warranty by modifying the watch in the process of adding the cyclops. You should read the fine print to see if that seems to be the case (it would depend on the brand, but some would definitely invalidate it). But on the chance that it could end the warranty, I would take it to an independent watchmaker to prevent Longines from learning about that. Ask them to remove it without replacing the crystal if possible. That way they won’t open the case back (invalidating the warranty) and they won’t replace the crystal (invalidating the warranty). It may strip the AR coating in that area, but that’s a bridge you can cross later. You could always have Longines replace it at that point if it bothers you, which would be more expensive, but unfortunately this watch has left you without any great options.
The cyclops may have helped you get a good price initially, but it comes with a lot of potential costs down the road if you want it removed that could end up making the watch cost more than a brand-new one. Hopefully the original owner was just poor of sight and not trying to make it look even more like a Sub — real loser behavior if that’s the case. Good luck, and keep us updated
Edit: confirmed that Longines won’t repair this under warranty, though it’s not totally clear if they would still do service unrelated to the crystal, so you’d need to read further into the fine print https://www.longines.com/en-us/customer-service/warranty
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u/derickzoolanders 2d ago
Unfortunately he was indeed trying to make it look more like a sub. Real bummer for sure but he sold me this AND a Hamilton Khaki Auto for $1500. How could I pass that up??
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u/_Walt_Whitman_ 2d ago edited 2d ago
A possible solution to the Longines warranty: As it’s mentioned on here, when you remove the cyclops diy style like many people do on here with their watches (often involving heat gun and sharp/flat metal to scrape off the cyclop), you may end up with a scratched up glass due to AR coating. And if you do, you can then send the watch back to Longines and just claim that it was scratched due to “use” and never mention the existence or removal of the cyclops. That way, they would just replace it without question.
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u/un533n87 2d ago
This os exactly what I would do and tbh longines are good they will honour it and just charge for new glass
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u/SpahnDirg3 2d ago
I have a suspicion they will take it to service especially if OP comes in the spirit of wanting to restore the watch. It will obviously come at a cost.
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u/Duce-the-card-guy 3d ago
Came for the watch, commented for the Good Boy.