Adding a custom see through case back…do it or not?.

[OTX]

Happy Friday fellas!. I was looking at old posts where people put Thomas Preik custom see through case backs on the GMT and the Sub. I’m a big fan of see through case backs. On my Breitling Navitimer 01, I find myself looking at it frequently. I know Rolex movements are not the prettiest but I really enjoy looking at mechanical movements. Is it something I can do myself or take it to a watchmaker or I better off just not messing with it?. I’ve come close to doing it many times but always chicken out at the last second :-) Anyone did it?. Thanks in advance!.

[Stan Cooper]

I have a Thomas Preik caseback on my 16710, and love it. The only time the steel case goes on it is when I send it to the RSC for service.

[OTX]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

I have a Thomas Preik caseback on my 16710, and love it. The only time the steel case goes on it is when I send it to the RSC for service.

Nice!. That’s probably what Im going to do too. Did you do it yourself?. Is it complicated?. What about the pressure test afterwards?.

[Torshalla]

I must say I love the see through casebacks… I could spend hours watching a mechanical movement… not good for my productivity though haha
I would not dare mess with my sub…
Maybe when it s older and covered in scratches… and out of warranty


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[zengineer]

Rolex movements aren't really much to write home about...appearance-wise.

[DJ2020]

I do enjoy a transparent case back, but only if it left the factory that way. I really don't like changing the way it was sold to begin with. Bands are okay, I get it. But I tend to leave the watch head alone.

[Wee-Willie]

Uh...NO

[Tricolore66]

It’s a Rolex movement, nothing to see here. It’s like putting a clear engine cover on your car so you can see your Toyota V6.

[JettyOne]

If it lets you enjoy your watch more. Do it. Zero harm and reversible.


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[subtona]

Kind of nice but I prefer original

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Odat

Nice!. That’s probably what Im going to do too. Did you do it yourself?. Is it complicated?. What about the pressure test afterwards?.

I have my local watchmaker change the casebacks and pressure test the watch after the swap. He has the equipment and charges me $20.

[BogdanS]

Never heard of these casebacks. For a moment I really had hopes this could work.

Then I googled “thomas preik caseback rolex”. It was enough.

And it’s not Thomas’s fault.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

I have my local watchmaker change the casebacks and pressure test the watch after the swap. He has the equipment and charges me $20.

Love that!

[Big Tex Rolex]

If you’re a “big fan” of transparent case backs, then you should do it.

I like them too, and they become interesting conversation pieces when you show your watch to a friend.

I have one that came on a Breguet I own … but I see no problem adding one to a Rolex that came with a metal case back.

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

It’s a Rolex movement, nothing to see here. It’s like putting a clear engine cover on your car so you can see your Toyota V6.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the Rolex movements are rugged, reliable, and accurate. Geneva stripes and other decorative machining do nothing to add to the honesty and reliability of the movement. In some cases, it's like putting lipstick on a pig. One obvious advantage of a clear caseback is that one can easily see whether the movement is likely genuine Rolex and not a crude replica without opening the caseback.

[Old Expat Beast]

Not for me. Maybe for an Oysterquartz, as that's a more interesting and unusual one, but not for anything else.

[watchnwine]

I put a Spiralwinder on my Moonwatch and love it... interesting idea for a 16710!

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the Rolex movements are rugged, reliable, and accurate. Geneva stripes and other decorative machining do nothing to add to the honesty and reliability of the movement. In some cases, it's like putting lipstick on a pig. One obvious advantage of a clear caseback is that one can easily see whether the movement is likely genuine Rolex and not a crude replica without opening the caseback.

It's true all that haute horology hand finishing adds nothing to the operational aspects of the movement. It's all for show with a hefty price for admission.

[Tools]

It's your watch and this is an enthusiast's hobby/pastime. Do what you want and don't give too much thought to the group who are afraid to get dust or rain sprinkles on their precious.

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[OTX]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

I have my local watchmaker change the casebacks and pressure test the watch after the swap. He has the equipment and charges me $20.

Looks very nice and tempting!

[OTX]

Appreciate all the input!. Looks like it’s half half. If I knew someone who could do it properly without scratching my watch, I would seriously consider it!

[Masteryacht]

No

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Odat

Appreciate all the input!. Looks like it’s half half. If I knew someone who could do it properly without scratching my watch, I would seriously consider it!

It's not rocket science. Any competent watchmaker who has experience with Rolexes and has the right tools can do the job without messing anything up.

[OSU1989]

I’d feel weird about putting anything non-Rolex on the head of the watch. But I think that you should do whatever makes you happy and doesn’t diminish any of the characteristics of the watch.

[GGGMT]

i did it on my 16570 and loved it because i like all movements, plain or elaborate. Then I took it to my AD for service (who originally installed it years ago), and said all policies changed, and they won't touch it due to aftermarket part. So i would have to go to other watchmaker to take off the glass and replace the metal to send in for service. Wasn't worth it. So I bought a BB58 925. TO go with other glass backs.

[mdwsta4]

Not sure I’d do it to any of my Rolexes because I don’t think the movements are all that pretty to look at. I did, however, install a sapphire case back on my hesalite Speedy because the new 3861 movement looks good and the sapphire case back is a hair thinner than the solid case back.

[BogdanS]

Originally Posted by mdwsta4

Not sure I’d do it to any of my Rolexes because I don’t think the movements are all that pretty to look at. I did, however, install a sapphire case back on my hesalite Speedy because the new 3861 movement looks good and the sapphire case back is a hair thinner than the solid case back.

This


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[Goatrope]

Definitely on a manual wind, like that 3861, but on an automatic, meh.

[on_philly_time]

From the two watches described it would definitely be a no-go for me personally. I think it takes away from what the piece is. Just my two cents...

[rick lee]

I kind of want to do this on my Batman. I have a display case back (comes that way) on an IWC IW378004 and it is a sight to behold.