Rolex Case Back Opener

janice&fred · Aug 9, 2020

Archer
Rolex has the worst case back design

Very true. I am not a Rolex basher by any means and just like you we have some in our collection but yes that finely serrated layout is terrible. Have you or anyone else reading seen how some of the watch repair guys at the USA bases or in the field in the Philippines and elsewhere dealt with Tudor sub case backs during the Vietnam war? They crudely cut slots in them to use needle nose pliers or similar tools to get them open.

Archer · Aug 9, 2020

janice&fred
Very true. I am not a Rolex basher by any means and just like you we have some in our collection but yes that finely serrated layout is terrible. Have you or anyone else reading seen how some of the watch repair guys at the USA bases or in the field in the Philippines and elsewhere dealt with Tudor sub case backs during the Vietnam war? They crudely cut slots in them to use needle nose pliers or similar tools to get them open.

Stainless isn’t toooo bad, but when you get into 18k gold, you really have to wonder what they were thinking. Platinum isn’t great either, not due to softness but primarily because of the tendency for galling of the threads. It’s as bad as Ti at least...if you don’t use good grease on the threads, it can weld together to a point it will be very difficult (and expensive) to get open...

wsfarrell · Aug 9, 2020

Archer
Not only did I mean it, I typed it as well...damn autocorrect.

I use a Bergeon 5700. The vast majority of times the friction dies I have will open watches, but on occasion they won't. When that happens, I use plastic between the case back and the two pronged opener, as you can see here:

Note that the two pronged attachment I'm using here can be locked so those prongs to not move in the slots of the case back, and the red arrow points to the jam nut that holds the securely locked in place. The case back doesn't unscrew far because of the jam nut, but once it's broken loose, you can move the nut a bit and carry on unscrewing the case back.

Of course with a Rolex case back design, you can't really use plastic between the case back and the die like I have used here, so on those it's even more important to make sure the die can't slip and is held down firmly. I use Bergeon Rolex dies (they actually came with the 5700 when I bought it years ago), but they do work well. Of course making sure the case is held securely helps as well, but this vise in this unit does the job fine.

IMO anything that is just hand held is asking for trouble.

Cheers, Al

Okay, I totally misunderstood the term "die." What I meant to ask about are the nylon "things" that hold the watch case as the back is being removed, as in the photos below (Bergeon 5700):

I believe I've seen openers that use metal "things," and of course I've seen watchmakers use a "standard" case holder as in your photo (or maybe that holder is part of your Bergeon; I don't know). If you have the time/inclination, please elaborate on the best way to secure a case for opening. Thanks----------

Archer · Aug 9, 2020

The die is the part that contacts the case back, and the case holder holds the case. There are lots of different types of case holders, so the style on my 5700 is a bit older than the one you show as the pins are round plastic (with steel posts inside) and the newer style are more blocky in shape.

These rely on clamping the case in place, but brands will make profiled case holders a bit like Doug (Canuck) showed. Omega makes these and they are made of a hard plastic (thermosetting plastic rather than softer plastic) that simply cradles the case. These work great and I have some, but it’s specific to each case design, so buying these gets very expensive. Rolex has very limited case designs and sizes compared to Omega, so it would be easier to get them all for Rolex compared to Omega.

Now if you don’t have something like a 5700, you can buy case holders that clamp the case the same way mine does, but then that can be mounted in a bench vice. Once you clamp the case in the case holder, and then the holder in the fuse, it’s pretty solid.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Al

Dan S · Aug 10, 2020

Canuck
The best bet for Rolex and Tudor case backs. The Easy Oyster Opener. This tool is equipped with jigs to hold most Rolex and Oyster cases, as well as the proper “sockets”. Tend to be pricey.

Ok, now I really want one of those. There are some on eBay, but they are listed in the $3k USD range, and I don’t think any of them are even 100% complete.

Archer · Aug 10, 2020

Dan S
Ok, now I really want one of those. There are some on eBay, but they are listed in the $3k USD range, and I don’t think any of them are even 100% complete.

Put the word "Rolex" on it and you can charge whatever you like...

Dan S · Aug 10, 2020

Archer
Put the word "Rolex" on it and you can charge whatever you like...

Well, I’m going to reserve judgement until I actually see one sell. 😉

Davidt · Aug 10, 2020

I can't find it now but there was a Rolex branded one for 6k when I was looking a few days ago

w154 · Aug 10, 2020

I got lucky a few years ago with an eBay buy it now. Couldn’t resist it and it’s a great thing, but anyone paying asking prices must be a collector. As a tool there must be better options for far less. It came without the box but I found one of those a few years later. Now just missing the plastic trays, the manual, and the metal bar for additional leverage.

Rolex Case Back Opener

janice&fred

Archer

wsfarrell

Archer

Dan S

Archer

Dan S

Davidt

w154

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