Community Stories

Aftermarket exhibition caseback

savka
Posts
365
Likes
1,079
mutanthands mutanthands
That’s fast! Are you based in the US?
I ordered mine on 6th Feb, still waiting for it to arrive in the UK. Hopefully any day now!

Yes, I am on the east coast. Hope it gets to you soon. Until then, here's a pic of mine to hold ya over:
IMG_0927 2.jpg
Edited:
 
mutanthands
Posts
107
Likes
89
Mine arrived this morning, hurra! Ordered on the 6th Feb, delivered on 25th Feb, so 19 days or around 2.5 weeks to the UK.

Fitting with the supplied tool was super simple. That 1mm difference in case height really makes all the difference, so much more wearable.

A005808C-4C1B-4311-93AA-26505BB04FDA.jpeg
 
M
Posts
33
Likes
11
Mine arrived today in uk. Ordered on the 16th feb. No custom charges. I’m drying out the watch again prior to fitting as it’s prone to fogging so seemed like a good opportunity.
 
jas32
Posts
3
Likes
7
C chipotlefire
I went back to my OEM caseback - watch started running slower. Not sure if movement was pushed a different way (not enough or too much?) with the new Spiralwinder or what (resulting in some end shake on a gear/wheel??). Watch even stopped 2x (found stopped in the morning) and then started when I pulled the stem and pushed it back in. Near full-wind.

My FOIS is generally due for a service anyways so it could be one of several possibilities. Runs better with OEM caseback again and hasn't stopped when using OEM caseback. Doesn't wear as well with the OEM caseback though 🤔
That’s a bummer. I hope it’s not the caseback that screwing up your watch. I just started wearing my FOIS again after I installed the new back and it’s keeping good time.
 
M
Posts
33
Likes
11
No problems with mine so far. Definitely fits a lot better on the wrist like others said. Money well spent I think.
 
savka
Posts
365
Likes
1,079
Reviving this thread with an update - watch is running great and I’m loving the caseback. However, I had it tested at the Omega Boutique and it passed the pressure test (5 bar) but failed the vacuum test.
 
texasmade
Posts
2,577
Likes
2,864
savka savka
Reviving this thread with an update - watch is running great and I’m loving the caseback. However, I had it tested at the Omega Boutique and it passed the pressure test (5 bar) but failed the vacuum test.
What's the vacuum test?
 
savka
Posts
365
Likes
1,079
texasmade texasmade
What's the vacuum test?
I believe it’s when they suck the air out of the testing chamber (creating a vacuum) and measure whether there is any flex/deformation of the crystal that falls out of established tolerances.
 
M
Posts
33
Likes
11
savka savka
I believe it’s when they suck the air out of the testing chamber (creating a vacuum) and measure whether there is any flex/deformation of the crystal that falls out of established tolerances.
To be honest my 2 year old speed master has proved so fragile it would never be near a water tap let alone anything else. That’s why I didn’t have any concerns about fitting the case back. It’s definitely not a tool watch. Now I’ve accepted the limitation I’m not disappointed.
 
texasmade
Posts
2,577
Likes
2,864
savka savka
I believe it’s when they suck the air out of the testing chamber (creating a vacuum) and measure whether there is any flex/deformation of the crystal that falls out of established tolerances.
Thanks. I guess for me that test wouldn't really bother me at all. Only thing I would care about is the pressure test and water resistance.
 
arno
Posts
254
Likes
326
jas32 jas32
That’s a bummer. I hope it’s not the caseback that screwing up your watch. I just started wearing my FOIS again after I installed the new back and it’s keeping good time.

Could this be a magnetism issue ?
Unless i’m wrong there’s a metal plate behind the original metal caseback and the movement, which you do not have on the aftermarket transparent caseback ?

And if it has nothing to see, i should consider getting one for my blue panda CK2998 😁
 
savka
Posts
365
Likes
1,079
M Mra12345
To be honest my 2 year old speed master has proved so fragile it would never be near a water tap let alone anything else. That’s why I didn’t have any concerns about fitting the case back. It’s definitely not a tool watch. Now I’ve accepted the limitation I’m not disappointed.

I’m similarly careful with mine and generally agree. However, I do have some reservations about humid weather. Perhaps they’re exaggerated or unfounded but I would hate to see the crystal fog up one day just from walking outside.

texasmade texasmade
Thanks. I guess for me that test wouldn't really bother me at all. Only thing I would care about is the pressure test and water resistance.

Both vacuum and pressure tests are used for water resistance. Here’s a description from Nathan Bobinchak’s blog (Director of Watchmaking at Oak and Oscar):

“Dry testers are usually smaller, cheaper and much quicker to use than their wet counterparts. Instead of water, they use air in a sealed chamber to determine whether a watch can withstand pressure or vacuum without leaking. Since airtightness is better than watertightness, a test in air should theoretically prove the watch's ability to withstand water.

“Instead of measuring the total volume of air in the container, dry testers use extremely sensitive probes that measure the actual deformation of the case as it expands in vacuum and collapses in pressure.

“The typical deformation is extraordinarily small—measured in microns. If no deformation is detected, the machine will assume that the watch has leaked, equalizing the pressure inside and outside the watch.”

Taken together, my understanding is that the test results don’t necessarily mean the watch will fail, simply that it could fail. But I’m no expert. Just wanted to share the information here for others to have as well.
 
Archer
Posts
29,115
Likes
75,243
texasmade texasmade
Thanks. I guess for me that test wouldn't really bother me at all. Only thing I would care about is the pressure test and water resistance.

The vacuum test is much more relevant to daily wear than the pressure test. In most cases where a watch leaks, there is really no pressure, and that is what the vacuum test is designed to tell you about. The watch passing the pressure test after may indicate that the pressure is helping to seal whatever leak is present.
 
savka
Posts
365
Likes
1,079
Archer Archer
The vacuum test is much more relevant to daily wear than the pressure test. In most cases where a watch leaks, there is really no pressure, and that is what the vacuum test is designed to tell you about. The watch passing the pressure test after may indicate that the pressure is helping to seal whatever leak is present.

Thanks, Al. This makes me seriously reconsider the display caseback. Returning to the original steel back may be in my near future…
 
Archer
Posts
29,115
Likes
75,243
savka savka
Thanks, Al. This makes me seriously reconsider the display caseback. Returning to the original steel back may be in my near future…

Well, there are different reasons why a case can fail the test. One is that it is leaking, but the other could be that the case is simply not deflecting enough. If it doesn't deflect, the machine it assumes that the air is exchanging in and out of the case. It would depend a bit on what vacuum level was used for the test. If you use too little of a vacuum, it's not enough to move the case, and you will get a rejection.

You don't say what level of vacuum was used, so I can't say if it would be correct or not...I use -0.4 bar.
 
savka
Posts
365
Likes
1,079
Archer Archer
Well, there are different reasons why a case can fail the test. One is that it is leaking, but the other could be that the case is simply not deflecting enough. If it doesn't deflect, the machine it assumes that the air is exchanging in and out of the case. It would depend a bit on what vacuum level was used for the test. If you use too little of a vacuum, it's not enough to move the case, and you will get a rejection.

You don't say what level of vacuum was used, so I can't say if it would be correct or not...I use -0.4 bar.

I wish I knew to ask for that information. I do know that the pressure test was 5 bar, so I assume the same was used for the vacuum but we all know what happens when one assumes...

Both the vacuum and pressure tests were done by the tech at the Omega Boutique. So, again, I assume that proper Omega standards were used but I didn’t get a number for the vacuum test, unfortunately. Next time…
 
jjjones
Posts
111
Likes
116
Would there be any concerns where one day, your watch fogs up on the inside due to having the aftermarket caseback?

Would love to add one on my fois, but im scared one day condensation can occur inside.
 
savka
Posts
365
Likes
1,079
jjjones jjjones
Would there be any concerns where one day, your watch fogs up on the inside due to having the aftermarket caseback?

Would love to add one on my fois, but im scared one day condensation can occur inside.

AFAIK, yes, because it failed the vacuum test.
 
98 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

intensifi

Exhibition case for Seamaster 300m GMT Chronograph?

intensifi Modern Omega Watches
WatchClarity
WatchClarity
Posts
3
Views
321
T

Help needed… 136.0041 exhibition caseback

Total-ac Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
T
Total-ac
Posts
3
Views
2K
Meme-Dweller

112ST1589 Genuine OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Exhibition Sapphire See-Through Caseback Stainless Steel Moonwatch 1861 1863

Meme-Dweller Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
Meme-Dweller
Meme-Dweller
Posts
4
Views
3K
Scarecrow Boat

Speedmaster 3861 Exhibition caseback - Spiralwinder new/unopened

Scarecrow Boat Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
Scarecrow Boat
Scarecrow Boat
Posts
0
Views
3K
140dave

Speedmaster sapphire exhibition caseback, aftermarket

140dave Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
140dave
140dave
Posts
0
Views
3K
b-16707

Aftermarket bracelet + Genuine clasp? - speedy

b-16707 Modern Omega Watches
Dimitar Adamski
Dimitar Adamski
Posts
6
Views
2K