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Rolex Submariner Case Opening Issue

clockboy

By clockboy
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

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Have problems opening my Rolex submariner case back. It has never been opened before so I think the issue is just very tight. Removed the bezel to clean and it was really,really dirty so I expect this is the issue with the back. I have been trying to open with a opener made by Huaxing but it will not budge and eventually the die slips. I don,t want to do any damage but I don,t know if the die is just a bad fit as it is not a Bergeon or if I need a more substantial opener any one with advise will be most appreciated. 

 

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Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

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I have one of these myself and it's served me well. Have you tried gripping the case across the points of the lugs in fibre vice soft jaws to allow you to exert maximum downward pressure while applying torque? I had to do that with a Tudor Oyster that didn't want to open.

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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

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Thanks Geo, to get a really good purchase I removed the bezel inserted the watch into a watch case holder. However I put downward pressure before twisting with a lot of pressure (more than I like) but no good and eventually the die slips. I was just wondering if the bergeon die is a tighter fit or I need different style of remover. The Bezel was really tight even with a Bezel remover and the dirt under it was substantial so I guess this is the issue. 

I just do not like forcing for fear of damage.

Edited by clockboy
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Mark Distinguished Member

Mark

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I also have a set of the cloned Bergeon dies and some are OK and some slip - even when I use them in the bergeon bench case opener. 

 

I purchased some Horotec dies (which also fit the Bergeon case opener by the way) and never had a problem since.

 

Do you have a glass lifter (the type with all the prongs)? If so, you can try tightening it round the back and turn. Sometimes works.

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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

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Thanks Mark, I have a glass lifter (prong type)& will give that a try. If no good I will look at Horotec dies perhaps. I presume I can get them in Cousins. I just have a feeling to shift its going to require a pro type tool.

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ash145 WRT Addict

ash145

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Could be time for the supa glue and a 19mm nut!!.. :startle: ....its never failed me......then tighten back up with the die if you can. A few weeks back I did just that on my Breitling asI wasn't going to spend £50 for a die and it worked fine. I have the same set of dies you have and they worked fine on my Sub but it had been serviced before so not on as tight as I expected.

Edited by ash145
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Mark Distinguished Member

Mark

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Absolutely it will. That, and it's Bergeon (5700, my one) brother are extremely good tools. The good thing is you will get dies for Rolex, Panerai, Baume & Mercier and Breitling to fit. If you have the budget, its a no-brainer.

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bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

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I'm sorry I'm late for this thread! (clockboy just pressed the button!) but the opener Geo recommends is excellent, (I just got one for Christmas) if it is the original LG. The down side is they only come with the Rolex dice! In any case, I also got a Witschi opener that accepts Horotec and Bergeon parts!

 

It is here: http://www.ofrei.com/page557.html#27092

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

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Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

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I have a set exactly the same Chinese back opener set that Clockboy was using and it's worked very well with both my vintage Rolex and Tudor. The only case it wouldn't open so far was a Chinese copy Rolex.

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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

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New toy arrived added pic. Opening the rolex case with the Horotec was simple with no effort.  

Conversation "whats that dear"  ------ "Oh just a tool for my watches" ---- "how much "  ,

"no nothing really, only a few quid dear "  :D

 

 

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