Community Stories

Pahawi's Custom Made Speedie Caseback Opener......Highly Recommended

gostang9
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Archer Archer
It depends on the type of gasket. If this has a regular O-ring and the watch is newer like yours, then there is no need to replace it unless the current O-ring is damaged, flattened, or is no longer flexible. If the watch uses a snap on case back with a hard plastic gasket, those are essentially one use only items. They will hold the case back on after being opened once, but they won't seal with the same level of water resistance as a new gasket does.
This confirms what I suspected. My watch is very new (SN 87783xxx) so O-ring should be okay, my only concern will be that any watchmaker I use doesn't damage it.

Archer Archer
Silicon grease is used on the gasket - contrary to popular belief, the grease does not aid in sealing the watch, but only prevents the O-ring from being stretched as the case back is screwed down. A stretched O-ring will not fit the groove properly and will lead to sealing problems.
This is what I remembered you mentioning before on another thread. Thanks for being willing to repeat yourself for my sake. 馃榾

Archer Archer
...the very first thing you should do is ask if I really need to remove the case back. If not, then leave it alone.
Agreed and understood. I have no intention of opening myself, nor do I own or plan to aquire the lovely Pahawi X-master caseback opener. (I hope the OP doesn't mind my tangential thread drift... I figured this topic had long run its course and yet my question was directly related to the item being discussed... If I was wrong, please let me know and I'll try not to do it again!) 馃槈

I would like to use an Omega watchmaker (like yourself) to do some work but it isn't sanctioned/approved by Omega and so I have a conundrum on my hands. Those who could be trusted won't do the work, and those who are happy to do the work cannot be trusted... Catch 22.

So far I've spoken to 2 watchmakers who claim they can work chronographs, have lots of general experience, and they are 'familiar' with Speedmaster, but they both were quick to say they couldn't guarantee the waterproof'ness wouldn't be affected. This made me nervous and so I wanted to understand better what that meant, especially when I'd seen this thread with apparently 40+ members receiving the tool with what I'd assume is an intent to open Speedmaster casebacks... For now, I'm enjoying the Speedy in its original form while I contemplate and research my options.

Archer Archer
...Removing the case back voids any warranty by the company that produced the watch if it still has one, or any other warranty that might be in effect
This I also understand and it makes sense. In my case would end up being an unfortunate but necessary evil should I go forward.

Archer Archer
...If this is a Speedmaster Pro with an inner cover, note that the movement is held in place in the case by the case back pressing on that cover - it is not held in with case clamps and screws, so don't turn the watch over or the movement may flop around and you risk damaging the edges of the dial. The cover itself can be tricky to remove for a novice, and sometimes requires prying off the enlargement ring - only do this from the pusher side, again to prevent lifting the movement up.

After you have done what you intend to do - hopefully not poking at the movement - then replace the cover after making sure there is no dust on it. Don't touch anything with bare fingers, or you will get permanently etched finger prints on it...

Then lubricate the case back seal with silicon grease, and screw the case back on, making sure the seal doesn't get pinched in the process. Then ideally pressure test it after to make sure you didn't screw up.
Excellent level of information and detail, that simultaneously comforts me in increasing my level of understanding about my watch while making me even more afraid of asking a non-Omega certified watchmaker to open it up and do anything to it...

Thanks Al for coming through as you always do.
 
gostang9
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cicindela cicindela
You raise some good points.
Remember:
Fantastic, I hope that was included in all shipped packages!! ?? 馃槈

I spent almost a decade as a Manufacturing Manager and we spent a lot of time training employees on safety items, regulations, PPE (personal protective equipment) and best practices. Some memorable moments spent working with the employee safety committee on new chemicals we introduced as we studied their accompanying MSDS's (material safety data sheet). Some of the terminology used was quite terrifying and a few vague risks were worded in such a way as to make anyone afraid even though we commonly have these items in our homes.

Example --> Isopropyl Alcohol:
"Risks of explosion of the product in presence of mechanical impact" 馃槻
"Vapor may travel considerable distance to source of ignition and flash back. CAUTION: MAY BURN WITH NEAR INVISIBLE FLAME." 馃槻

You did a great job capturing the whole essence in that visual graphic!
 
Pvt-Public
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gostang9 gostang9
This I also understand and it makes sense. In my case would end up being an unfortunate but necessary evil should I go forward.
Why, is something wrong with the watch? Otherwise why would you open the watch and void any warranty un-necessarily?
 
Pvt-Public
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Archer Archer
Removing the case back voids any warranty by the company that produced the watch if it still has one, or any other warranty that might be in effect (say from a watchmaker who has done a recent service).
gostang9 gostang9
This I also understand and it makes sense. In my case would end up being an unfortunate but necessary evil should I go forward.

Why, is something wrong with the watch? Otherwise why would you open the watch and void any warranty un-necessarily?
 
gostang9
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Pvt-Public Pvt-Public
Why, is something wrong with the watch? Otherwise why would you open the watch and void any warranty un-necessarily?
I want to have the dial and hands changed (modified). Also, see Al's link to my other thread looking for a qualified watchmaker. I didn't specify more details here to avoid going even further off topic...
 
gostang9
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Pvt-Public Pvt-Public
OK, my fault I missed that thread. Still if it were me, I would wait until the warranty expired. Why tempt fate with something expensive. Just my opinion.馃榾
A fair point. When I researched for a base watch to modify, I initially thought a 5 to 15 year old watch would be a great value and make the most sense. I fully expected such an age watch would need a full service, and that it would make sense to get the mid done at the same time as the service. Then I discovered that the watchmakers who perform the service I'd want are not willing to do the dial modification (my own na茂vet茅). As I searched further I discovered I could get a new grey market watch a similar price to the 10 to 15 y/o and since the older pieces wouldn't come with a warranty anyhow, it doesn't really make a difference to me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
JimInOz
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I know Paul's item hasn't got world wide patents, but maybe @KRLYUZH can shed some light?
 
repoman
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Let's not jump to any conclusions. This could be an OEM arrangement that works to everyone's advantage. Have to admit I'm curious.
 
Pahawi
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I have nothing to do with them. An exact copy, just in aluminum - how sweet. Some people.......馃が

Think I mentioned earlier in the thread that someone probably would steal the idea and mass produce them, so no big surprice, actually....

So much for our little father/son project, I guess..... It's been fun as long it lasted, and I had told him this might happen. Not the end of the world, just a bit annoying....

Thanks for all the support, guys - it's been fun 馃憤

Thanks,
Paul
 
flyingout
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Well, hang on a minute. I wasn't interested in opening my watch myself. Until now. I still may not open it, but a tool in my back pocket might be just the thing.
 
pascs
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To make an exact copy and mass produce it is pretty crap 馃が
 
watchlovr
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To be fair, I have one in nylon (hard plastic), made by an Irish chap, bought from TZ-UK a few years ago, so our own Pahari is not the first to make these.
 
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