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Old 10 November 2017, 07:50 AM   #1
Juggernaut
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GMT caseback on a Submariner?

I know this is blasphemy and the lynch mob will put me on their hit list, but....

Has anyone tried a GMT caseback on a Submariner?
I love the slimness of my 14060M and played with the idea of making it even slimmer by swapping on the thinner caseback from a GMT Master or Explorer II.

It's a very reversible mod and I don't plan on SCUBA diving with it, or worse....having Rolex Authorized service handle the watch and was just curious if I'm the first one with this crazy idea....?
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Old 10 November 2017, 08:28 AM   #2
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https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=505502The
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Old 10 November 2017, 08:43 AM   #3
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Never measured the thread depth on either watch but you probably aren’t engaging all the threads on the sub case when using a gmt caseback.
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Old 10 November 2017, 08:44 AM   #4
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I thought about it, but am too lazy to buy the tool to try it. I'd imagine a Submariner 100m would be way more comfortable.
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Old 10 November 2017, 09:51 AM   #5
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Never measured the thread depth on either watch but you probably aren’t engaging all the threads on the sub case when using a gmt caseback.
hmmm....Interesting thought. Creating just enough doubt to loose alot of interest in this endeaver
thanks guys!
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Old 10 November 2017, 10:01 AM   #6
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The guy at Custom Watch Concepts would certainly know this, and you could buy a GMT caseback from him too if it fits. My concern would be that even if it fits the gasket might not provide a proper seal, since it wouldn't be properly squished into place.
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Old 10 November 2017, 11:15 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Juggernaut View Post
I know this is blasphemy and the lynch mob will put me on their hit list, but....

Has anyone tried a GMT caseback on a Submariner?
I love the slimness of my 14060M and played with the idea of making it even slimmer by swapping on the thinner caseback from a GMT Master or Explorer II.

It's a very reversible mod and I don't plan on SCUBA diving with it, or worse....having Rolex Authorized service handle the watch and was just curious if I'm the first one with this crazy idea....?
You might try acquiring a Tudor Sub, like a Snowflake, as they tend to have flatter backs.
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Old 10 November 2017, 02:49 PM   #8
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You might try acquiring a Tudor Sub, like a Snowflake, as they tend to have flatter backs.
Definitely thought about at before I went with the 14060M...
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Old 10 November 2017, 04:39 PM   #9
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Definitely thought about at before I went with the 14060M...
Yeah, that case back shape with the raised center section is one of my least favorite thing about Rolex watches over the last number of years. It actually gives me arm pain from time to time. Something about the way it presses into me. I switched from a Sub to an Exp II, which was better, but it still bothered me. If I were to get another vintage style sport watch, it'd likely be a Tudor Sub (or a much older Sub.)
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Old 11 November 2017, 02:09 AM   #10
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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.
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Old 11 November 2017, 02:32 AM   #11
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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.
The same could be said about any car mod. I don’t see any problem with experimentation, it’s thats what one desires. These are basic little mechanical watches, not some space module from the future.
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Old 19 February 2018, 01:50 AM   #12
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Update!
I have acquired a GMT caseback and I'm waiting for an opportunity to visit my trusted watchmaker...I'll report back!
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Old 23 March 2018, 03:37 AM   #13
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Update: Taking in the Sub to my Watchmaker today.
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Old 23 March 2018, 04:01 AM   #14
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I hope that it fits.
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Old 23 March 2018, 04:10 AM   #15
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At one point didn’t both models use the same case? I’d say there is a good chance it will work.
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Old 7 April 2018, 07:25 AM   #16
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it DID work!
Here are some photos:
So here's my 14060M Sub with the standard Sub caseback:

Here's the Sub caseback:

And here's how it measures, just over 1.5mm:


Here's is the GMT caseback I sourced:

And it measures just under 0.9mm...wow!...pretty thin...

My watchmaker said it went it without any issues and he swapped the gasket and pressure tested the watch to 100m


Now it's a little slimmer, similar to the 5513 which is pressured rated to 200m instead of 300. I doubt it will ever go past 10 feet. If I ever sell it (doubtful), I will obviously fit the original caseback on again....
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Old 7 April 2018, 08:31 AM   #17
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Wow oh wow, no one will even know the difference in the caseback unless you tell them. Thanks for sharing, I’m sure everyone here benefits from your experience. You won’t know until you try it. Good job
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Old 7 April 2018, 08:42 AM   #18
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it seems to stick out a bit opposed to the factory flush seating.

are any caseback threads exposed after proper torquing?
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Old 7 April 2018, 09:02 AM   #19
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Loss of water resistance, cost of GMT case-back, and install labor - all to save .6 mm. ???

Hardly seems worth it.
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Old 7 April 2018, 09:30 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoppyjr View Post
Loss of water resistance, cost of GMT case-back, and install labor - all to save .6 mm. ???

Hardly seems worth it.


I kinda get it. If you have smaller / flatter wrists you do notice the difference in the two case backs when it’s on your wrist. I’ve tried on the both the sub and gmt and opted for the gmt due to the way it sat better on my wrist.

Now had that beautiful Hulk I was looking had the GMT case back


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Old 7 April 2018, 10:06 AM   #21
Juggernaut
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Originally Posted by Hoppyjr View Post
Loss of water resistance, cost of GMT case-back, and install labor - all to save .6 mm. ???

Hardly seems worth it.
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.
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Old 7 April 2018, 10:16 AM   #22
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Great job !!!
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Old 7 April 2018, 11:29 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoppyjr View Post
Loss of water resistance, cost of GMT case-back, and install labor - all to save .6 mm. ???

Hardly seems worth it.
It doesn’t sound like much but I notice the difference when I wear my sub vs gmt and would give up the water resistance for the thinner back if I could.

Good job OP, now you have the perfect sub!
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Old 7 April 2018, 11:33 AM   #24
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Glad it worked out for you.

Was curious about a similar swap, except a Sub back on a Sea Dweller.
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Old 7 April 2018, 12:10 PM   #25
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Loss of water resistance, cost of GMT case-back, and install labor - all to save .6 mm. ???
Hardly seems worth it.
Casebacks aren't expensive, and the WR matters only to a very hardcore diver. Seems like a negligible cost for a small but not insignificant improvement.
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Old 7 April 2018, 12:15 PM   #26
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Interesting...never thought about doing this swap bt the two refs but definitely understand why you performed this little experiment...good to know and thanks for sharing
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Old 7 April 2018, 12:21 PM   #27
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Just noticed the case back to your 14060 has 2160 stamped inside but your GMT back is stamped with the reference number, as I thought it would...anyone know what the 2160 stamp indicates?
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Old 7 April 2018, 12:33 PM   #28
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You might try acquiring a Tudor Sub, like a Snowflake, as they tend to have flatter backs.



No Tudor.


It's no replacement for a Sub.
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Old 7 April 2018, 04:08 PM   #29
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it seems to stick out a bit opposed to the factory flush seating.

are any caseback threads exposed after proper torquing?
Nope, it's an optical illusion. In real life, the case fits as flat as the original, no protrusion....just looks like that in that photo for some reason.
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Old 9 April 2018, 12:47 AM   #30
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Plus, I love the fact that the 14060/M has a flatter bezel than that of 16610 and I just thought it would be cool to create the lowest profile Sub possible without having to go with a Tudor (not that there's anything wrong with the 200M Tudor Subs!)
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