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

[Tools]

Some of you guys have inspired me....:twit:

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

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.
37655

And, we'll need a case wrench. I use the LG open-all.
37656

Using the 6111, and the small forked end, we pull the bracelet.
37662
37661

Then we attach the proper size socket to the opener. In this case a 29.5mm Rolex socket. (There are 6 different Rolex sizes).
37657

[Tools]

This is how the watch head fits into the LG opener:
37668

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.
37669

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.
37667

A gentle brush with a soft brush and some dry air and the gasket is as clean as can be:
37670

With the area clean so nothing will inadvertently find it's way into the movement, we can take the back completely off:
37671

[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:
37672

A quick hi-speed flash of the hairspring stops it so we can get a better view:
37675

And a bit closer in:
37673

But, we can't leave it open forever.... Let's put the case back, back in place and snug it down: (45 inch lbs)
37674

And, not a scratch to be seen anywhere.....At least, not from this operation.
37676

Thanks for taking this little adventure with me...

:cheers:

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

61592
61593
61594

[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.:clap:

[arttay10]

Larry - Great tutorial :thumbsup:

Do you have tutorial on swapping a dial??

[Art161]

Very interesting. Thanks, Larry. :thumbsup:

[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. :rofl:

[Tools]

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..

:rofl:

[SLS]

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..

:rofl:

Thanks! :thumbsup:
~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!! :thinking:

[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". :banghead:

[Green Sub]

Thanks for posting :thumbsup:

[Baptistman]

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!! :thinking:

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! :thumbsup::cheers:

[Roselló]

Cool. This is great. Thank you.

[frostie]

Great tutorial Tools :thumbsup:

Thanks for posting it :cheers:

[Letsgodiving]

Excellent post and very informative. :thumbsup:

[Marrk]

Nice post, Larry. Very Jocke-ish! :chuckle:



:cheers:

[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.:thumbsup::clap:

[Lol-x]

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

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

[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.

[bfh]

Thanks for a nice vicarious experience Larry! I've opened cheaper watch backs but have never been brave enough to open one of my Rolexes...

:thumbsup:

[jasonbellevue]

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!! :thinking:

Good stuff, Tools, very visually informative. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Like JJ, I thought about the same thing... :thinking: ...perhaps you have a watch waterproof tester too...

[Nigel Tufnel]

Larry, do you have to replace the gasket every time you open it?

[Tools]

Larry, do you have to replace the gasket every time you open it?

No, you don't.. But you could...gaskets are readily available through Otto Frei and the like.

The two mating surfaces are machined flat, so when screwing it down it pretty much stops once the surfaces are contacted.. If you are concerned about water-tightness then most watchmakers will pressure check your watch for a nominal charge.. This is something you should do once a year if you spend time in the water a lot..

:cheers:

[Letsgodiving]

No, you don't.. But you could...gaskets are readily available through Otto Frei and the like.

The two mating surfaces are machined flat, so when screwing it down it pretty much stops once the surfaces are contacted.. If you are concerned about water-tightness then most watchmakers will pressure check your watch for a nominal charge.. This is something you should do once a year if you spend time in the water a lot..

:cheers:

When I screw down the crown it is the same way. There is a definite stopping point and you feel it. In the past with other watches I was somewhat worried about that because there was a progressive tightening of the crown but with my SD it just stops. :thumbsup:

[Rolex_07]

Now all you need to do is watertest the watch because you broke the seal.

[Watch Collector]

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..

:rofl:

Larry: Just wondering how much that case holder costs?? Just curious.

[Tools]

Larry: Just wondering how much that case holder costs?? Just curious.

I don't recall the exact price... Around 50 bucks. there are others that are much cheaper..

.
They are available at Otto Frei, along with practically anything else you might need..

http://www.ofrei.com/

:cheers:

[gmt master x]

Thanks, i may need supervision when i try that,,,,,,
Great pictures.:thumbsup:

[caribouhouse]

Excellent pics Larry

[James T]

Larry - Great tutorial :thumbsup:

Do you have tutorial on swapping a dial??


x2

[toph]

expertly explained and demonstrated. Thanks Larry

[akhamdani]

Very nice pics Larry.Thanks for sharing this adventure :thumbsup:.

[SS Oyster]

Is there a corresponding video tutorial with audio? I would also like to see a tool list, where to purchase them and an approximate cost.

Thank you for the excellent post --- very informative.

http://www.crystalfit.com/images/logo-rolex.jpg

[steelrolex]

Larry - Great tutorial :thumbsup:

Do you have tutorial on swapping a dial??

I've swapped a dial on my Datejust myself. Obviously you have to be very careful handling the movement otherwise it may put its accuracy out as well as getting dust particles on it. As well as the case back removing tool, you will need a small set of watchmakers screwdrivers and a hand removing and hand setting tool (cheap from ebay). You have to remember to set the hands at 12 o' clock before removing them and then put them back on again at 12 o' clock (those with date windows).
Simon

http://www.watchgeek.com/rolexservice.htm

[goss810]

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!! :thinking:

before opening the case it is good idea to mark the caseback with a CD Marker pen starting from case back till case of the watch and 2 or 3 marks are enough I think and while squizing the case back better to stop at the point where marks will match like a smooth line so case will be closed like closed in factory.

[wmthedirector]

wow, thats what i call watch collecting, very nice, once i tried to see the serial number on the lugs of the watch, and i ended up scratching my watch, good job, and thanks for posting,

[Erix]

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

[golfball123]

well done..........

[Alcan]

Excellent stuff Larry.

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

Rolex Oyster case back torque is 5 Newton meters or 44.25 inch pounds.

[mpkRolex]

Thanks for the post Larry. I looks so simple from the pictures but I am damn sure that it isnt. I admit that it is not my cup of tea. If I have to see the movement in my watch I will spend some take it to my AD to pop it open. But great to see the 3185 in your post because I too have ExpyII.

:cheers:

[marshallr47]

Nicely done Larry.

[RLX-lvr]

before opening the case it is good idea to mark the caseback with a CD Marker pen starting from case back till case of the watch and 2 or 3 marks are enough I think and while squizing the case back better to stop at the point where marks will match like a smooth line so case will be closed like closed in factory.

Good call. :cheers: Or a pencil mark would do just fine.

Rolex Oyster case back torque is 5 Newton meters or 44.25 inch pounds.

Where on earth did you get that info from Alcan.? Nice.:cheers:

Jeff

[CJO]

Do these things actually work well?
http://www.ofrei.com/page1226.html

CJ

[feudallordcult]

thanks for sharing! great pics:thumbsup:

[alohanakoni]

great stuff larry!!!

[ROLEX MAN]

Thank-you for showing us!

[mauryca]

I do this every time I Purchase a watch, ( just to be sure) an old school Cuban watchmaker friend of mine gave me a hands on lesson. IT IS AMAZING.....

[tthopp05]

Very cool,cant wait till I get the tools

[sheldonsmith]

Very cool...
http://www.minus4plus6.com/images/gasket.jpg
I have a similar tutorial posted at http://www.minus4plus6.com/caseback.htm

-Sheldon

[bry1975]

Imo if you want to remove a rollie caseback best using the right tools.

Reasonable bit of kit:-

http://www.cousinsuk.com/images/product/C0315_CMYK.jpg

Even better:-

http://wltnp.com/Photo%205700/IMG_3416.JPG

The second one is a peach to use :D

[gregdolley]

Thanks for the awesome tutorial, Larry! :thumbsup: :cheers:

[gregdolley]

Good call. :cheers: Or a pencil mark would do just fine.



Where on earth did you get that info from Alcan.? Nice.:cheers:

Jeff

Jeff - Rolex's site has the 45 Newtons info.

[Flyin_V]

That seemed like fun! :clap:

[elijahenoch]

your kiling me larry !:cheers: that was cool!

[adam69sun]

This is professional the technique.

[miamiman]

well I guess the best way to know if its sealed is not to take it to the ocean. or take a shower with it.

[HunterST]

Larry - you're a braver man than me. Thanks for the great tutorial.

[David Woo]

very nice tutorial Larry, thank you.
One thing I do when removing any caseback, have a moistened q tip handy, and clean the mating surfaces as the caseback is carefully pulled up and away from the case. This helps prevent any foreign objects from falling onto the movement.
I was one of the architects for the BH RSC when it was built 10 years ago, and I got a tour of the watch repair floor when the Rolex factory guys had finished installing their equipment, a very impressive environment.
DW

[Numismatist]

Awesome tutorial, I wish I had the guts to try that on my own!

[Safetrends]

Thanks for the education, great layout!:thumbsup:

[andrew_uzio]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[JEC]

If you don't feel like getting the tool set, I have a trick I learned a while ago to open any screw back without leaving a mark.

Gorilla Tape.

Wipe the case thoroughly to get rid of the grease from your arms. Take a strip of tape and roll it into a sausage. Firmly press it onto the centre of the case back and grab on tight. I usually hold the watch in my hand with a soft cloth and twist while pressing down firmly. It will open up a lot easier than you think most of the time - the only time it doesn't work is if some overzealous person previously overtightened it, then you need to break out the tools. It also works to close it very firmly, but of course you will want to have it checked by a watchsmith for water seal if you actually subject your watch to water.

The advantage is a roll of Gorilla Tape costs 8$ and can be found anywhere, and it won't leave a mark on your watch. I use this technique when opening vintage watches to verify the movements and numbers.

[sheldonsmith]

Very cool... I would like to see an image if you ever get the chance...

-Sheldon

[dr_bypass]

Im preety sure the torque stated in the post (45 inch lbs)
assures both gasket integrity & absolute waterproofness. About
the missalignment well, its a concern and a potentially catastrophic
one for sure

[mpkRolex]

Do you have to change the gasket and seals everytime you open the case back? That is what my watchmaker told me. He had to do so when I had him open my Daytona yesterday to look at the parachrome blue hairspring. It took him 2 minutes to open but almost 20 minutes to close after replacing the gaskets and seals. He also did the pressure test after. +2 secs and 50 hrs of power save was his findings about the watch.

[bewithabob]

awesome post.

[rva33145]

Thanks for the info.

[skyedog]

Great Post Larry ! Thanks for sharing! :thumbsup:

[SWIMPRUF]

Nicely done and nice thread.