GMT caseback on a Submariner?

[BLNR Nairobi]

Interesting. Good work

[donq]

Glad to see you confirmed a theory I be had for a while!

Does it feel any different in practice? Or is it not worth the trouble?

[jezza17]

Originally Posted by RichardF

Why would you want to tamper with the engineering, design and pressure proofing of this watch? Rolex case backs are not designed to be interchangeable with other models even if it might seem to fit.

This.

[jrs146]

I wouldn’t trust this. Although if I’m not diving I suppose not much could go wrong if the parts fit.


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[spoilsofwar01]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

Very small difference, agreed, but I've always been curious.
Also, the bracelet fit was kind of "in between" holes on the clasp and so the biggest difference I notice with the GMT caseback is the fit of the bracelet is such that now I don't have to fine adjust the fit in the middle of the day like I used to.

which prompts another question.... has this made the bracelet looser ? will you be sharing your research with Rolex? massive respect for trying this

[Johny]

[QUOTE=Juggernaut;8460835]it DID work!
Here are some photos:
So here's my 14060M Sub with the standard Sub caseback:


Hi OP.

Any chance that you can re-create this pic but with the replacement case back fitted. I would like to see the numbers.

thanks

Johny.

[Scholar]

Originally Posted by WJGESQ

No Tudor.


It's no replacement for a Sub.

Quite right. It's not a 'replacement' for a Sub, because according to Rolex, it is a Sub.

[Juggernaut]

[QUOTE=Johny;8469360]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

it DID work!
Here are some photos:
So here's my 14060M Sub with the standard Sub caseback:


Hi OP.

Any chance that you can re-create this pic but with the replacement case back fitted. I would like to see the numbers.

thanks

Johny.

dah!

I can't believe I forgot the money shot!
Thanks

[Juggernaut]

I've been getting asked repeatedly where I sourced the 16710 caseback. I found mine on eBay from a German seller. It took several weeks to arrive to me here in the states.

[Nathan356]

Does anyone know if an explorer II 16550 caseback would fit the same way? I'm looking to do this same kind of mod to my 14060M and I'm curious what other "low profile" casebacks would fit, such as a 1675/16750 or a 16550/16570.

[matteo509]

I would like to know if this would work with sub-c and gmt-c. I have the same idea. love the sub case, but much prefer the low profile of the gmt back. Don't care about losing water resistance.

[Nathan356]

After contemplating this mod for 2 years, I finally did it too. Acquired a brand new 2180 caseback and had my local watchmaker swap it and do the 100M pressure test. They are definitely interchangeable and use the same gasket. He confirmed the inside dimensions are the same. While it only makes a 0.7mm difference in thickness, you can totally see and feel the difference. Watch sits much flatter on the wrist, basically the difference between a 5-digit Sub and a YM, GMT, or EXII in how it sits, but with the added advantage of the low profile 14060 bezel. Yes, the bracelet now needs to be tightened by about a half-link worth. This mod definitely achieves new levels of insane WIS minutia but the heart wants what the heart wants!

[RolexEDC]

2180 case back is from what model Rolex ? OP used a GMT case back which has the reference number inside the case back.

[myporsche]

[Nathan356]

Originally Posted by RolexEDC

2180 case back is from what model Rolex ? OP used a GMT case back which has the reference number inside the case back.

Rolex transitioned case backs to general part # sometime in the 2000s (not exactly sure the year, but I know it was no later than 2009). So the 16570, 16700, 16710, and 16713 engraved case backs, which were otherwise identical, all became 2180, while the 14060, 16610, and 16613 all transitioned to a 2160 case back. So, depending on the year of the watch you might see a 4-digit case back or the older style with the watch ref engraved on it. Any service replacements would have the 4-digit case back.

[taillight]

Great job, I hope it fits.

[doramas]

Very good work. Thank you for the information.