exhibition case back

[withthesword]

Hi All,

i'm planning on doing the old DYI thing and swapping out my sub's caseback for a priek sapphire caseback.

besides having the 29.50mm caseback tool and a watch case holder, do you guys think i should replace the caseback gasket while i'm at it? or do you think the current gasket should still be good to go with or without a bit of silicone grease?

thanks in advance for any feedback!

Best Regards,

Matte

[Andad]

IMO leave the existing gasket in place. Clean it with a cotton bud and a little lube.
Have it pressure tested before going on those deeeeep dives

I put a clear back on my Pepsi but it was new so I didn't consider a new gasket.

[withthesword]

sweet pics

you have any suggestions for silicon grease? should i bother getting some rodico, or a q-tip should be fine for around the gasket?

[dddrees]

Wht not just get a watchmaker to do it?

Then they could pressure check it for you to make sure the seal is good after the job is completed.

[withthesword]

i kinda want to learn how to do some more 'minor' things myself. i figured bracelet changes, bezel insert replacement, and casebacks should be something i can do myself. if it gets any more complicated, i can find a good watchmaker.

[salem65]

Originally Posted by withthesword

sweet pics

you have any suggestions for silicon grease? should i bother getting some rodico, or a q-tip should be fine for around the gasket?

IMO, don't use a q-tip around an open watch or on any gasket. They can can leave bits of themselves on stuff.

[withthesword]

ok, well, i've got some rodico, a case holder, a bergeon socket caseback tool, and a Thomas Preik on the way!

so hopefully in the coming weeks everything will arrive and i'll go ahead with the mod.

[descartes]

Why do this? The Rolex movement is nothing to look at and it can only negatively affect the submersibility of the piece..

[eric23]

Great photos, I need to do that to a Rolex one day.

[salem65]

Originally Posted by descartes

Why do this? The Rolex movement is nothing to look at and it can only negatively affect the submersibility of the piece..

I think some people who have done this have had a pressure test pass. So, I don't think it affects the water resistance.

[withthesword]

as far as my research has taken me, no one has had a problem with pressure testing so far.

as for the movement, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. it's nothing to someone else, but it's beautiful to me. as far as i'm concerned, it's a relatively affordable, attractive, and fully and easily reversible modification. it won't effect the value, and it won't effect the water resistance in any significant way for me.

[77T]

Good luck with it and take some pics from the "operating room"!

By the way, I wouldn't bother with the 300m wet pressure test - if it can pass 3ATM you're good for almost anything.

[cop414]

I wish that was an option on the Rolex line, nothing special to look at with the movement but that's what makes it special... I just love to see watch movements "in action".

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by descartes

Why do this? The Rolex movement is nothing to look at and it can only negatively affect the submersibility of the piece..

I think the simplicity of the Rolex movements is quite beautiful.

[withthesword]

I have some tools coming from china so I figure I'll have everything I need to complete this project in around a month.

There will definitely be "operating room" pictures, as well as a review. Either of just the case back or of the back and some if the tools involved as well.

Can't wait till everything gets here!




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[Mr. RoC]

Good luck and post some pictures!

[Armyguy03]

Good luck. Steady hands, patience, and believe in yourself. I've done two DIY projects and come out successful.

[ducatidoc]

Afraid I'm in the "why do this " camp. There are several instances where exhibition backs are there to show off skillfully decorated movements. Breguet comes to mind, but there are actually quite a few manufactures who take the time to tool and finish their movements into works of art. Rolex, however, ain't one of them.

[withthesword]

i suppose the same could be said about Panerai. some of their movements are just plain...plain. that hasn't stopped them from putting exhibition case backs on all sorts of watches. beauty doesn't need to be cote de geneve or pearlage. i happen to find the plain jane rolex movement beautiful.

[kryten2001]

Good on you. Can't wait to see pics and hear how you went.

Out of interest, what did the case back set you back?

Cheers.

[withthesword]

i got it HERE. the cost was minus the 19% VAT.

there were other options, but it looks like Preik's version is the highest quality of the bunch.

[withthesword]

well well well, look what showed up in the mail today.



'operating room' thread to follow once all the necessary tools show up :)

[Passionata]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk 21363379500.328812.jpg
Good luck ,it ll be nice !


Best
George

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[bayerische]

I somewhat get the idea of a exhibition case back, but somehow not on a Rolex, since the movement really isn't anything to look at.

It's a great workhorse, that's best kept "under lock and key".

[Mr. RoC]

Originally Posted by withthesword

well well well, look what showed up in the mail today.



'operating room' thread to follow once all the necessary tools show up :)

Can you tell them to hurry up with the delivery.....

Can't wait to see the end results.

Makes me want to do the same with mine but after my warranty is up.

Sooooo... how much will you charge to swap casebacks for a fellow Torontonian???