AR Removal Odyssey

[Ladd Gardner]

Just removed AR on my M16. Has some miles on it so the edges of the AR started showing some wear.

Used the dremmel and polish. Was no problem. Looks 100 better.

Congrats! Every time I do it, it feels like I've got a new watch.

[jpot976]

Congrats! Every time I do it, it feels like I've got a new watch.

It really does, the outer edges did start to wear in some spots so it was starting to show the miles. But after its off it really does look 100x better.
Crystal is spotless.
And the blackness off the dial really stands out much more now. I seem to still get a little blueish effect, which I always liked and why I was hesitant to do it in the first place. I assume this is the AR coating that remains on the other side?

All in all it was very easy to do, half hour start to finish --- very happy with the results.

[mistere]

I am trying to determine if the fine lines I see in direct light are on the outside/inside of the crystal or on the dial itself (they appear to be lines in the dial paint). I am thinking that I will probably send it in to have them look at it first and then remove the AR afterwards.

[jpot976]

I am trying to determine if the fine lines I see in direct light are on the outside/inside of the crystal or on the dial itself (they appear to be lines in the dial paint). I am thinking that I will probably send it in to have them look at it first and then remove the AR afterwards.

Yea I picked up my M16 used. So unsure how it looks when it first starts to wear.

When I got it the outer edge of the crystal showed pretty clearly the coating chipping away, pretty much all the way around the whole crystal, some areas more than others. Not lines or scratches -- but clear wear / uneven chipping. In some places 2-3+ millimeters AR gone in from the edge of the bezel . Distinct color differences ... Especially seen in the daylight.

It is no doubt a leap of faith, and have to say quite stressfull to take a dremmell to the crystal of one of your favorite watches. And once its gone it gone, like it or not.

But I'm here to say once removed, my crystal is brand new -- not a mark.

[mistere]

Here are a couple iPhone shots after using Ladd's method on my M49.

[mistere]

Notice in the second shot that the reflection of the ceiling light is not purple or blue.