Removing The Back Of A Sea Dweller

[100thmonkey]

If I remove the back of a Sea Dweller will it affect the waterproof capacity of it. I want to pop the back to check the bits out and to authenticate it but I am concerned it might 'break the seal' and cause water to enter!

Advise please, all appreciated.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by 100thmonkey

If I remove the back of a Sea Dweller will it affect the waterproof capacity of it. I want to pop the back to check the bits out and to authenticate it but I am concerned it might 'break the seal' and cause water to enter!

Advise please, all appreciated.

Do you have a Bergeron tool to remove the back? It is never a good idea to remove the back of such a highly waterproof watch yourself. Any AD can do this for you, mine does it for 25 Euro and even tests the depth rating and will change the o-ring. But why do you want to do this? Did you purchase your watch from a disreputable source?

[kudosguy]

Only let an AD do this, or better still Rolex - St James's Sq.

[topcat30093]

Unless you properly trained and have the right tools.
Then don't do it, the watch was designed for diving and unless you can pressure check, you may cause a lot of damage to your watch.

[BiG JeEzY]

Originally Posted by topcat30093

Unless you properly trained and have the right tools.
Then don't do it, the watch was designed for diving and unless you can pressure check, you may cause a lot of damage to your watch.

Agreed, I wouldn't recommend doing it unless you know exactly how to do it properly.

[Tools]

Hmmm...

Interesting comments..

There is nothing complicated about openiing the back of your watch. There are no seals to break or anything that might come undone...

It simply screws off and on with the proper tool. There is a rubber "O" ring in a groove in the case and, if intact, prevents water from getting past it and into the movement.. The mating surfaces must be clean.

The one thing that most of us cannot do is a pressure check to ensure it will still go down to 4000 feet and remain watertight...... but if done properly there is no reason to think it would not..

[stevemulholland3]

there is nothing worng with opening your watch up-as long as your not really diving-I wouldnt worry to much about it.when you screw it back down just make sure the o-ring is properly seated in the groove and that its not dry-rotten or anything.
good luck and tell us what you find..

[Z-Sub]

With proper tool, you can open it.
I've never done it myself before on any of my Rolexes but I've done it many times on my older Tags with WP rating of 200 meters to change the batteries.

[Andad]

Easy done. Unscrew it with the proper tool. Check the movement. A quick clean of the 'O' ring and screw it back on. I'm sure that AD's make this look like black magic but they don't want to encourage us to do this kind of thing. Your local watchmaker can test the seals to probably about 500m.

[gtbike72]

Don't do it!! Only let an AD do.

[walds11]

Why? Please let a pro do it.

[Portzed]

Curiosity got the better of the proverbial moggy so why risk your 'Dweller, unless you have a really good reason leave well-alone. or nip into RSC London or an AD wth the right technical staff.

[SLS]

You can buy a case back opener from ottofrei.com that has all of the different size keys for Rolex watches, this will cost about $70. There is NO secret to opening the back, its quite easy and IMO this tool is a must have if buying preowned. I carry mine under my seat, you never know what you may come across!
~Scott

[Chris B]

Take it to an AD, they can verify & answer any questions you may have.

[CKay]

There is no point opening up the back really. There is nothing much you can do even if discover that the watch is a fake. If you feel that you need to get to the bottom of things, bring it to the AD to have it checked,

[boxbrownie]

Its just a watch.....not a religous artifact!

Take the back off....but use the correct tool....and unless your in the Royal Navy deep sea recovery unit....don't worry.....

Depending on the age of the watch and when it was last serviced it might be a good idea to get it pressure checked after anyway!

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by BiG JeEzY

Agreed, I wouldn't recommend doing it unless you know exactly how to do it properly.

X2!!!

[100thmonkey]

Great advise and appreciated, I chose to take it to an AD to authenticate it and indeed he did just that. I had done all the basic checks and was 99% sure I just needed a second opinion.

So Sea dweller on the wrist and looking fine!

[Tareg]

I think you'd risk scratching the hell out of your watch as well as comprimising it's water tightness.

[pricojorge]

i've opened mine before, just make sure you seal it back tight, i how ever dont use mine for diving, the only water it sees is shower, maybe a quick light swim, and thats about it

also remember ... when you let the crown out to adjust the time ... thats basically opening the watch as well ... i think

[Baptistman]

It can be done, but why risk scratching, cross threading or snagging the o ring.