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Old 23 August 2008, 02:57 AM   #1
Tools
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Removing A Rolex Case-Back.....!!!

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.
IMG_2052.jpg

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

Using the 6111, and the small forked end, we pull the bracelet.
Bergeon tool.jpg
bracelet off.jpg

Then we attach the proper size socket to the opener. In this case a 29.5mm Rolex socket. (There are 6 different Rolex sizes).
LG socket install.jpg
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Old 23 August 2008, 03:19 AM   #2
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Take it off....Part 2..

This is how the watch head fits into the LG opener:
watch in place.jpg

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.
cloth.jpg

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.
dirty rubber.jpg

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

With the area clean so nothing will inadvertently find it's way into the movement, we can take the back completely off:
casebacj off.jpg
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Old 23 August 2008, 03:44 AM   #3
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Taken' it off, and puttin' it back ..Part 3...

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:
3185.jpg

A quick hi-speed flash of the hairspring stops it so we can get a better view:
hairspring1.jpg

And a bit closer in:
hairspring.jpg

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

And, not a scratch to be seen anywhere.....At least, not from this operation.
no scratch.jpg

Thanks for taking this little adventure with me...



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

Case_number_info01.jpg
Case_number_info02.jpg
Case_number_info03.jpg
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Old 23 August 2008, 03:53 AM   #4
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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
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Old 23 August 2008, 03:54 AM   #5
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Great info! I think I need to stock up on some good tools. Thanks for sharing!
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Old 23 August 2008, 03:55 AM   #6
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Great Shots!!! Very interesting.
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Old 23 August 2008, 03:56 AM   #7
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Larry - Great tutorial

Do you have tutorial on swapping a dial??
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Old 23 August 2008, 03:57 AM   #8
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Very interesting. Thanks, Larry.
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Old 23 August 2008, 04:01 AM   #9
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Really informative, thanks for taking the time...
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Old 23 August 2008, 04:01 AM   #10
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Amazing!!!!

Thanks for the great photos and info.

* I have the same EXP II but wouldn't dare try to crack it open.
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Old 23 August 2008, 04:08 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SLS View Post
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..

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Old 23 August 2008, 04:28 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tools View Post
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
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Old 23 August 2008, 05:06 AM   #13
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Very nice, thanks. Great photos!
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Old 23 August 2008, 05:16 AM   #14
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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!!
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Old 23 August 2008, 06:48 AM   #15
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Nice show-n-tell Larry!
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Old 23 August 2008, 06:56 AM   #16
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Cool! Thanks Larry!
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Old 23 August 2008, 07:07 AM   #17
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Thanks for the vicarious adventure.
I keep telling myself,"It's not a 58 Chevy,
stay out of there".
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Old 23 August 2008, 07:08 AM   #18
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Thanks for posting
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Old 23 August 2008, 07:10 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ Irani View Post
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
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Old 23 August 2008, 07:24 AM   #20
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Great post, Larry! Need to get me some tools!
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Old 23 August 2008, 07:26 AM   #21
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Cool. This is great. Thank you.
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Old 23 August 2008, 07:59 AM   #22
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Great tutorial Tools

Thanks for posting it
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Old 23 August 2008, 10:11 AM   #23
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Excellent post and very informative.
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Old 23 August 2008, 11:47 AM   #24
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Nice post, Larry. Very Jocke-ish!



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Old 23 August 2008, 12:18 PM   #25
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Fun

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.
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Old 23 August 2008, 12:18 PM   #26
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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.
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Old 23 August 2008, 01:14 PM   #27
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Thanks for posting this!
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Old 23 August 2008, 01:36 PM   #28
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Great stuff.. thanks for sharing with all of us....
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Old 23 August 2008, 01:44 PM   #29
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Excellent stuff Larry.

To echo Steve's question.. how snug is snug?
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Old 23 August 2008, 01:56 PM   #30
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Awesome stuff Larry. Very informative. This is the stuff I like to see. Thanks greatly.
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