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Old 20 April 2009, 03:23 AM   #1
theken
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GMT2 with sapphire back

Recently I received a pepsi GMT2 in a trade. This GMT2 joins a coke GMT2 in my collection. I am considering replacing the back of one of these watches with an aftermarket sapphire case back. I have read several posts from others who have done this. Anyone wish to offer advise either way on making this change? Currently a sapphire case back is selling for about $175.
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Old 20 April 2009, 03:54 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by theken View Post
Recently I received a pepsi GMT2 in a trade. This GMT2 joins a coke GMT2 in my collection. I am considering replacing the back of one of these watches with an aftermarket sapphire case back. I have read several posts from others who have done this. Anyone wish to offer advise either way on making this change? Currently a sapphire case back is selling for about $175.
Its not a problem to do if you have the correct tool but got to ask why.The Rolex movement is very plain Jane and not the best to look at,but excellent in all other departments.If you do change it just keep your other back safe to change when watch requires a service,as Rolex will not service with aftermarket case back fitted.
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Old 20 April 2009, 05:15 AM   #3
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Padi, here's probably a stupid question: If you put the saphire back on, does that affect the water tightness?
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Old 20 April 2009, 05:26 AM   #4
allanofcalifornia
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Stupid question - Why? Since the back will be on your wrist, then why put a sapphire case on the back? I prefer not to have aftermarket parts on my Rolex. I just like my watches pure.


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Old 20 April 2009, 05:31 AM   #5
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Good call Allan. There is nothing like the original. So, why do you want to switch the back Mark?
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Old 20 April 2009, 06:25 AM   #6
theken
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Why a sapphire back you ask? I would never remove the back from one of my watches. Consequently, I have not seen the movement of any of my Rolex Sports watches (GMT2, SUB, EXP2, Daytona). It is interesting to me for my own "education". The fact that it is not "decorated" does not matter to me.
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Old 20 April 2009, 06:53 AM   #7
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Why a sapphire back you ask? I would never remove the back from one of my watches. Consequently, I have not seen the movement of any of my Rolex Sports watches (GMT2, SUB, EXP2, Daytona). It is interesting to me for my own "education". The fact that it is not "decorated" does not matter to me.
Are you kidding

The watch won´t be serviced anymore
2nd NO WARRANTY on any single piece of the watch anymore by ROLEX
3rd the ROLEX movements are not that "decorated" and builded for good quality and long life. So there is really not anything visible you could see in a 50$ Swatch

Hopefully you let your nice watches in the ORIGINAL way they are!
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Old 20 April 2009, 07:18 AM   #8
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Are you kidding

The watch won´t be serviced anymore
2nd NO WARRANTY on any single piece of the watch anymore by ROLEX
3rd the ROLEX movements are not that "decorated" and builded for good quality and long life. So there is really not anything visible you could see in a 50$ Swatch

Hopefully you let your nice watches in the ORIGINAL way they are!
As long as the OP changes the caseback to the original before taking the watch in for servicing/warranty I don't think Rolex would be able to know...

So warranty and service should not beaffected by this change.
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Old 20 April 2009, 07:24 AM   #9
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Why?
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Old 20 April 2009, 07:32 AM   #10
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see, I would never put one of these on my rolex, I like to leave my watches the way they were made... if you want a saphire caseback then pick up a panerai 112 base like I did and then u can have the best of both worlds
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Old 20 April 2009, 09:10 AM   #11
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Geez......

Oh pleeease....



The sapphire casebacks are relatively to install if you have the tools and have worked with watches before. If one hasn't, a watch maker can install it quickly as well as insure that it is water tight to 100M, the same depth rating as the original caseback if the caseback is purchased from a reputable dealer (typically Germany)...

If the watch has to go back to an RSC, simply remove the sapphire caseback (simple tool) and reinstall the original before shipping...


Rolex even made a sapphire caseback back in the 50's (only one though)

Plenty of info at http://www.minus4plus6.com/caseback.htm

-Sheldon
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Old 20 April 2009, 09:36 AM   #12
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An Opera window or see-through crystal back is easy to make
But
You will most definately own a "monkey" than a Rolex watch.
Open backs are reserved for "Calibres magnifique" and not
"Plane Jane" Rolex movements, like my friend Padi56 suggests and rightly so.
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Old 20 April 2009, 11:21 AM   #13
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Strange we had to wait for the 11th post before someone posted the -4+6 site on this.

Personally I wouldn't just because it makes the watch thicker and who knows about the water tightness. Especially on the newer ones with the recessed case backs.
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Old 20 April 2009, 01:40 PM   #14
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ooopsss sorry i thought i was in the panerai section when you guys talking about clear back casing...
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Old 20 April 2009, 02:59 PM   #15
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Rolex Movement NOT Pretty?

Quote:
Originally Posted by padi56 View Post
Its not a problem to do if you have the correct tool but got to ask why.The Rolex movement is very plain Jane and not the best to look at,but excellent in all other departments.If you do change it just keep your other back safe to change when watch requires a service,as Rolex will not service with aftermarket case back fitted.
How is the below not pretty? I was just gonna start a thread about this. I have heard they are not pretty to look at. I beg to differ.






Quote:
Originally Posted by theken View Post
Why a sapphire back you ask? I would never remove the back from one of my watches. Consequently, I have not seen the movement of any of my Rolex Sports watches (GMT2, SUB, EXP2, Daytona). It is interesting to me for my own "education". The fact that it is not "decorated" does not matter to me.
Never seen the movement huh?

Lets change that right now.







Pretty enough for me to take my caseback off and photograph. I got some good shots burning a hole in my pocket.

Danny


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Old 20 April 2009, 08:32 PM   #16
Alcan
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Here's my take on it.

1. No its not original, but its also not the Holy Grail. Its a wristwatch.

2. Yes, its as waterproof as the original.

3. Does it sit higher on the wrist? Marginally, but not enough that I notice any difference.

4. If the watch needs to go back to the RSC, the original caseback can be re-installed in 5 minutes, as I did with mine last month.


We're not talking major irreversible changes like chopping off the crown guards here, just swapping out a caseback.
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Old 20 April 2009, 08:53 PM   #17
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x2 Al.

5 minutes to open the bracelet and change the back. It is just a simple 'o' ring seal.
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