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Old 9 October 2020, 09:35 PM   #1
watchmainspring
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Tightening a caseback without measuring torque

If one does not have the ability to gauge the torque when tightening a rolex caseback, any tips on how to tighten it and maintain water resistance and likewise not damage the parts?

Theoretically I would replace the gasket with a new greased gasket and tighten it to the point where I can no longer use my fingers/hand to loosen it.

Thanks
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Old 9 October 2020, 09:39 PM   #2
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Finger tight might not be enough.
I did use this, stil own it, nowadays I leave it to the pro’s.
No need for an amateur to open the casebook anyway
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Old 9 October 2020, 09:42 PM   #3
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I do not believe that is a satisfactory method. The seal needs to be compressed and your method cannot guarantee that. I'm not sure i have the answer to your problem but you certainly need to tighten it beyond what you can achieve using just your fingers.

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Old 9 October 2020, 09:42 PM   #4
watchmainspring
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Finger tight might not be enough.
I did use this, stil own it, nowadays I leave it to the pro’s.
No need for an amateur to open the casebook anyway
thanks!

what about this?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 9 October 2020, 09:45 PM   #5
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I've seen those advertised by companies like bergeon. They would probably be suitable if you weren't worrying about making the case waterproof.

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Old 9 October 2020, 09:47 PM   #6
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I've seen those advertised by companies like bergeon. They would probably be suitable if you weren't worrying about making the case waterproof.

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Thanks. Part of my problem is I do not even know if it's waterproofed because the last service was around 4 years ago. Obviously the wise thing to do here would be to take it in to an expert but I also kind of want the satisfaction of doing it myself.
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Old 9 October 2020, 10:11 PM   #7
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My local mechanic always says he torques down until a thread strips, then backs off half a turn for perfection!
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Old 9 October 2020, 10:12 PM   #8
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My local mechanic always says he torques down until a thread strips, then backs off half a turn for perfection!
Sounds like a plan!
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Old 9 October 2020, 10:17 PM   #9
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Obviously the wise thing to do here would be to take it in to an expert but I also kind of want the satisfaction of doing it myself.

Applaud your bold courage. To be sure of your handiwork, after you’re done take it for a pressure test. If it passes 3 bar you’re likely OK for normal use.

But should it fail, just use your tool at the watchmaker’s shop and tighten some more and re-test. Eventually you’ll get the caseback to the right level and will know for future handiwork.



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Old 9 October 2020, 10:21 PM   #10
watchmainspring
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Applaud your bold courage. To be sure of your handiwork, after you’re done take it for a pressure test. If it passes 3 bar you’re likely OK for normal use.

But should it fail, just use your tool at the watchmaker’s shop and tighten some more and re-test. Eventually you’ll get the caseback to the right level and will know for future handiwork.



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thanks for the advice. Eventually I will need to take it to the watchmaker anyways to get the clasp tightened, a friction pin replaced and a half link removed. I do not trust myself to bend a clasp.
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Old 9 October 2020, 10:56 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 77T View Post
Applaud your bold courage. To be sure of your handiwork, after you’re done take it for a pressure test. If it passes 3 bar you’re likely OK for normal use.

But should it fail, just use your tool at the watchmaker’s shop and tighten some more and re-test. Eventually you’ll get the caseback to the right level and will know for future handiwork.



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Paul, can you shed some light on the pressure test as I’ve always been curious about how this is done.

Also, let’s asssume the OP doesn’t have the right amount of torque and the watch fails the pressure test ... are any of the working components inside the movement at risk of damage simply from doing the pressure test?

Thank you in advance
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Old 9 October 2020, 11:31 PM   #12
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Thanks. Part of my problem is I do not even know if it's waterproofed because the last service was around 4 years ago. Obviously the wise thing to do here would be to take it in to an expert but I also kind of want the satisfaction of doing it myself.
And that i can totally relate to. The problem is that I'm not sure you can really find the correct torque setting. If you can then it might be possible to improvise a socket wrench to attach onto the appropriate case back attachment on your bergeon kit. If you aren't planning on diving with the watch on quite sure you'll be fine.

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Old 9 October 2020, 11:33 PM   #13
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I'll only dive with my under-warranty 116610 or 116613. I might bathe but won't dive with some of my older ones.

What if theoretically I count the revolutions when opening and simply use the same amount of turns when closing the case?


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Old 9 October 2020, 11:49 PM   #14
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What watch is it? That set you posted on amazon only has the standard 6 sizes. Theres a few models that will not fit that set.


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Old 10 October 2020, 12:14 AM   #15
watchmainspring
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what watch is it? That set you posted on amazon only has the standard 6 sizes. Theres a few models that will not fit that set.


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Old 10 October 2020, 01:08 AM   #16
Greg 59
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I'll only dive with my under-warranty 116610 or 116613. I might bathe but won't dive with some of my older ones.

What if theoretically I count the revolutions when opening and simply use the same amount of turns when closing the case?


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That's an interesting theory. Unfortunately this might not work correctly if you are fitting a new seal that hasn't been compressed before. Worth a try though

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Old 10 October 2020, 01:14 AM   #17
watchmainspring
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That's an interesting theory. Unfortunately this might not work correctly if you are fitting a new seal that hasn't been compressed before. Worth a try though

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If it was a new seal last time and it's a new seal this time and it has not turned over the years, wouldn't it be the same?


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Old 10 October 2020, 01:32 AM   #18
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Ah then yes that should be covered there.

I don’t pressure test watches why i close them, but i can say it’s just like closing any other screw type cover. Be it a water bottle cover or the nut on your tires. Once you’ve tightened it, you’ll know when its tight enough and when to stop.


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Old 10 October 2020, 01:58 AM   #19
watchmainspring
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Ah then yes that should be covered there.

I don’t pressure test watches why i close them, but i can say it’s just like closing any other screw type cover. Be it a water bottle cover or the nut on your tires. Once you’ve tightened it, you’ll know when its tight enough and when to stop.


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ok thanks. I've opened many casebacks of much cheaper watches but once you're working with something valuable it's worth inquiring.
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Old 10 October 2020, 02:31 AM   #20
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I have that one as well but from Bergeon. Works good but prefer the stand.
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Old 10 October 2020, 02:33 AM   #21
joli160
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Thanks. Part of my problem is I do not even know if it's waterproofed because the last service was around 4 years ago. Obviously the wise thing to do here would be to take it in to an expert but I also kind of want the satisfaction of doing it myself.
You need this one from Bergeon as well
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Old 10 October 2020, 02:40 AM   #22
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Paul, can you shed some light on the pressure test as I’ve always been curious about how this is done.



Also, let’s asssume the OP doesn’t have the right amount of torque and the watch fails the pressure test ... are any of the working components inside the movement at risk of damage simply from doing the pressure test?



Thank you in advance


The test I recommend for this situation - and now we know the model - is a simple vacuum test that almost any watchmaker would have.

If there was a leak, no damage to any components.

A wet test wouldn’t be right for this one because it wouldn’t be going that deep methinks.


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