Removing A Rolex Case-Back.....!!!

[Tools]

Some of you guys have inspired me....

So, let's open a case-back and look inside.....

First, we're gonna' need some tools:
A Bergeon 6111 to take off the bracelet and the right size socket for the case-back...and of course, my trusty EXP II.


And, we'll need a case wrench. I use the LG open-all.


Using the 6111, and the small forked end, we pull the bracelet.



Then we attach the proper size socket to the opener. In this case a 29.5mm Rolex socket. (There are 6 different Rolex sizes).

[Tools]

This is how the watch head fits into the LG opener:


Although the opener jaws are soft metal and not likely to do much damage to a SS Case, you can put a cloth in place as an extra precaution:
The socket is screwed down to engage the teeth in the caseback, then a short half turn and the case back is opened slightly.


I like to open the case back only partially and take a look. As you can see, there is some dirt and stuff on the "O" ring gasket.


A gentle brush with a soft brush and some dry air and the gasket is as clean as can be:


With the area clean so nothing will inadvertently find it's way into the movement, we can take the back completely off:

[Tools]

Now that we have the case back off our Rolex, we can see what is inside. In this case a beautiful cal 3185 resides with it's famous red gears and peacefully ticks away at it's 28,800 beats per hour rate:


A quick hi-speed flash of the hairspring stops it so we can get a better view:


And a bit closer in:


But, we can't leave it open forever.... Let's put the case back, back in place and snug it down: (45 inch lbs)


And, not a scratch to be seen anywhere.....At least, not from this operation.


Thanks for taking this little adventure with me...



..........Markings Found Inside Your Rolex Caseback............

[SLS]

Nicely done! BTW, what is the refernce for the case holder in your second post, last pic? Will that fit into the open all?
Thanks,
~Scott

[Duc-904]

Great info! I think I need to stock up on some good tools. Thanks for sharing!

[tomc1944]

Great Shots!!! Very interesting.

[arttay10]

Larry - Great tutorial

Do you have tutorial on swapping a dial??

[Art161]

Very interesting. Thanks, Larry.

[MartinK]

Really informative, thanks for taking the time...

[johnflorida]

Amazing!!!!

Thanks for the great photos and info.

* I have the same EXP II but wouldn't dare try to crack it open.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by SLS

Nicely done! BTW, what is the refernce for the case holder in your second post, last pic? Will that fit into the open all?
Thanks,
~Scott

That's a Bergeon 5090 Waterproof case holder. It will fit, just barely, but it sits way high and without a shim at the middle notch it doesn't hold it as secure as I would like..

[SLS]

Originally Posted by Tools

That's a Bergeon 5090 Waterproof case holder. It will fit, just barely, but it sits way high and without a shim at the middle notch it doesn't hold it as secure as I would like..

Thanks!
~Scott

[Bobareno]

Very nice, thanks. Great photos!

[JJ Irani]

Good stuff, Larry.

But how can you be 100% sure of the waterproofness of the watch just in case you've squeezed the gasket too much or mis-aligned it?

Just wondering!!

[DSJ]

Nice show-n-tell Larry!

[kcmo]

Cool! Thanks Larry!

[Irish Dan]

Thanks for the vicarious adventure.
I keep telling myself,"It's not a 58 Chevy,
stay out of there".

[Green Sub]

Thanks for posting

[Baptistman]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Good stuff, Larry.

But how can you be 100% sure of the waterproofness of the watch just in case you've squeezed the gasket too much or mis-aligned it?

Just wondering!!

x2 plus When the case back is removed at an RSC, it is done in a "Clean Air" environment to prevent micro dust particles enteing the movement. I would not think for one minute the average person would have this capability. However, thanks for an interesting post Larry

[Leighton]

Great post, Larry! Need to get me some tools!

[Roselló]

Cool. This is great. Thank you.

[frostie]

Great tutorial Tools

Thanks for posting it

[Letsgodiving]

Excellent post and very informative.

[Marrk]

Nice post, Larry. Very Jocke-ish!

[Z-Sub]

to watch the progression. Very good point about opening just a little bit and get the dust out first.
I probably will never open my rollies but opened my tags and others in the past and did the same to remove the dirt and probably soap scum build ups.

[Lol-x]

Thats is a very informative and extremely well illustrated article Larry
What about "snuging it down" do you have a torque wrench to do that precisely, how do you know the right amount of 'snugness'

You seem to have a pretty good workstation set up there.

[Time_Peace]

Thanks for posting this!

[pwcrulez]

Great stuff.. thanks for sharing with all of us....

[Jedi]

Excellent stuff Larry.

To echo Steve's question.. how snug is snug?

[marshallr47]

Awesome stuff Larry. Very informative. This is the stuff I like to see. Thanks greatly.