What's the deal with this caseback?

Poday · Dec 27, 2014

First, I have no interest in this watch. Was just clicking around eBay and ended up on this one.

Anyway, the caseback seems to be lacking the typical "teeth" found on Subs, and instead has two notches crudely made on the back side. Why? Where? How?? And the sellers comment " I'm told that this is something GI's did during the Vietnam war "... what does that even mean?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-Red-S...da4&pid=100009&prg=20131227121020&rk=1&rkt=4&

Darlinboy · Dec 28, 2014

Poday
First, I have no interest in this watch. ,,,, And the sellers comment " I'm told that this is something GI's did during the Vietnam war "... what does that even mean?

Good call and who knows.

dsio · Dec 28, 2014

Looks like a pretty poor watch really, red sub aside its been beat up and the dial looks crummy.

Archer · Dec 28, 2014

Rolex case backs are a pain to be honest - probably the worst design out there for a screwed on case back. If you don't have proper tools to open these (and by the condition of most that I see, not many people do have the right tools), the small notches can get damaged very easily, and then even using proper tools they are difficult to open.

As the Mythbusters would say, I can't confirm that this is why the case back is the way it is, but it is plausible. If someone tried to open the case with say one of those hand held tools you see cheap on eBay, and damaged the original notches to the point where they were all burred up, then machining them away and using a drill to put two round spots in the case back is certainly one way of fixing it.

So plausible, but obviously the watch takes a hit on value because of this. Will be interesting to see what it goes for.

Cheers, Al

dsio · Dec 28, 2014

Archer
Rolex case backs are a pain to be honest - probably the worst design out there for a screwed on case back. If you don't have proper tools to open these (and by the condition of most that I see, not many people do have the right tools), the small notches can get damaged very easily, and then even using proper tools they are difficult to open.

As the Mythbusters would say, I can't confirm that this is why the case back is the way it is, but it is plausible. If someone tried to open the case with say one of those hand held tools you see cheap on eBay, and damaged the original notches to the point where they were all burred up, then machining them away and using a drill to put two round spots in the case back is certainly one way of fixing it.

So plausible, but obviously the watch takes a hit on value because of this. Will be interesting to see what it goes for.

Cheers, Al

Just curious what do you use for Rolex casebacks, one of those large units with a caseholder or something like the old vintage propeller shaped hand tools?

Archer · Dec 28, 2014

Bergeon 5700 with Rolex dies. Not my video, but it shows the features of the 5700.

I think the Rolex die he shows at the end is some aftermarket one, as my set is quite different than that one is. If you have access to tools from the different brands, not only are different dies available, but different bases are too. For example this is a full set from Omega for an Aqua Terra:

From the right there is the base that replaces the vice on the bottom of the unit, then the case holder (molded to the shape of the case), then the actual die, and last the adaptor from the upper part of the case opener to the die.

Here it is after opening a case:

Cheers, Al

Mark020 · Dec 28, 2014

Spot on. Somebody screwed up (pun intended) and did some DIY-ing. Another option was this (not for the faint hearted)

Northernman · Dec 28, 2014

Mark020
Spot on. Somebody screwed up (pun intended) and did some DIY-ing. Another option was this (not for the faint hearted)

A very practical approach indeed!
😲O

Nobody Move · Dec 30, 2014

Mark020
Spot on. Somebody screwed up (pun intended) and did some DIY-ing. Another option was this (not for the faint hearted)

Wow, that's a first for me. Radical approach, to say the least!

HogWldFLTR · Dec 30, 2014

Poday
First, I have no interest in this watch. Was just clicking around eBay and ended up on this one.

Anyway, the caseback seems to be lacking the typical "teeth" found on Subs, and instead has two notches crudely made on the back side. Why? Where? How?? And the sellers comment " I'm told that this is something GI's did during the Vietnam war "... what does that even mean?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-Red-Submariner-1680/121522010433?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid=777000&algo=ABA.MBE&ao=1&asc=20131227121020&meid=0a5e3e4c468448e7955a0bf1fceedda4&pid=100009&prg=20131227121020&rk=1&rkt=4&

Something else from the GIs, FUBAR.

lexusislee · Dec 31, 2014

That's how you destroy at watch what a shame :-((

scook94 · Dec 31, 2014

Mark020
Spot on. Somebody screwed up (pun intended) and did some DIY-ing. Another option was this (not for the faint hearted)

Somebody in a "sales" thread probably asked for a picture of the movement...😉😜

Mark020 · Jan 2, 2015

I think this was a French Navy watch so somebody was in a hurry I guess

What's the deal with this caseback?

Poday

Darlinboy

dsio

Archer

dsio

Archer

Mark020

Northernman

Nobody Move

HogWldFLTR

lexusislee

scook94

Mark020

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