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mrchronoman · 30 July 2007, 07:51 AM

Did Rolex ever make an oyster model with a see-through case back?
I heard of one today but I am assuming it is a fake.

I read a previous thread about custom made backs but the one I am inquiring about has engraving on it.
Thanks.

Chad M · 30 July 2007, 08:04 AM

I have never heard of an Oyster case with a display back.

Bama · 30 July 2007, 08:12 AM

A fellow member of this forum, Al, has a Rolex with a see through caseback I believe. He had it put on the watch- not original to the watch. I believe he had it pressure tested and just did it because he just liked the look. He had a picture somewhere on this forum but I couldn't find it.

Rubenonfire · 30 July 2007, 08:18 AM

To my knowledge Rolex never made a production reference with an exhibition caseback.

These casebacks are available on an aftermarket basis, so don't assume that because the Rolex you're looking into has one that it's not authentic, but it's never a good sign ESPECIALLY if the seller is claiming that the exhibition caseback is Rolex OEM.

Tools · 30 July 2007, 08:19 AM

Here is a view through the clear case back of a RQLEX Oyster Case Submariner.

Looks pretty good doesn't it ?

I don't know who made it, but it sure was not Rolex..

mrchronoman · 30 July 2007, 08:27 AM

Thanks for replies folks.

Tombstone · 30 July 2007, 09:44 AM

A german company makes the clear glass caseback, it has been posted on this forum in the past, for now go to this site for a photo ect.

http://www.oysterworld.de/1/index.htm

look under the heading glasscaseback.

mrchronoman · 30 July 2007, 11:28 AM

I passed some pictures and your replies to my son. I'll let you know if its the real thing. I told him to put it next to a real one and he will soon know what he has. It is quite old and was given to him!

BiG JeEzY · 30 July 2007, 11:40 AM

I read a Rolex FAQ before and it said that for a very long time,

there were only two known see-through casebacks made by

Rolex and one of them is owned by Mr. James Dowling himself.

This info may not be accurate though since I'm only trying to

recall it from memory. The see through casebacks made by Rolex

are in the Cellini line and not the Oyster line. They are on the

Cellini "Prince" model.

ianmedium · 30 July 2007, 11:42 AM

It's funny you ask this as only today I was walking past my local AD before it was open, in place of the watches were brocures and one was the rolex prince , here is a link to the page on the website, i think this is the only official see-through caseback for Rolex!
http://www.rolex.com/en/collection/r...y/prince/index

PS, why is it we never here of these models on the forum, they look pretty smart IMHO Does anyone on the forum own one?

mrchronoman · 30 July 2007, 01:20 PM

No serial# on the case between the lugs so I guess that puts an end to the speculation. He will check with a watch repair shop to see what kind of movement it is. He says it is very smooth and the screw down crown is very solid. Perhaps an Italian fake with the ETA. We'll see.
Thanks for all the help.

erasuretim · 30 July 2007, 04:32 PM

HI!

People who fit transparent backs normally retain the original case back so there are no awkward questions if the watch is resold.

Regards

Tim

padi56 · 30 July 2007, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiG JeEzY

I read a Rolex FAQ before and it said that for a very long time,

there were only two known see-through casebacks made by

Rolex and one of them is owned by Mr. James Dowling himself.

This info may not be accurate though since I'm only trying to

recall it from memory. The see through casebacks made by Rolex

are in the Cellini line and not the Oyster line. They are on the

Cellini "Prince" model.

That is quite correct but believe the numbers is slightly more. When Rolex was experimenting with the Co Axial escapement by
Daniels.A few proto types had display backs,but Rolex decided
it was too costly to re-tool to install the escapement in there watches,these are as far as I know owned by Rolex.Same for when Patek was doing tests,with the Daniels escapement.They
had a watch on test for 12 years before it stopped,because it was not serviced.And Patek went against the advice of Daniels
about the oiling of escapement,and they fell out.But then Omega
took on the escapement the rest now is history.And a few of the
experimental watches made for Panerai in 1938 had the Rolex 16 ligne 15 Jewel Corrtebert ebauche by Rolex for Panerai they had a display back.

SPACE-DWELLER · 30 July 2007, 07:52 PM

You CAN have a custom made see-through sapphire crystal fitted on the back of your Rolex.

BUT: It will NOT be original, and might void the guarantee.

IMHO, it is also bad taste

Anyway, as "Tombstone" writes:

http://www.oysterworld.de/1/index.htm

has pics of those crystals

jac67 · 30 July 2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrchronoman

Did Rolex ever make an oyster model with a see-through case back?

No, never.

John.

30 July 2007, 07:51 AM	#1
mrchronoman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peterborough, Ont Posts: 4	Question re Rolex case backs Did Rolex ever make an oyster model with a see-through case back? I heard of one today but I am assuming it is a fake. I read a previous thread about custom made backs but the one I am inquiring about has engraving on it. Thanks. Last edited by mrchronoman; 30 July 2007 at 08:10 AM.. Reason: to show I am aware of previous posts

30 July 2007, 08:18 AM	#4
Rubenonfire "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Ruben Location: Orange County Watch: 16610LV Posts: 1,317	To my knowledge Rolex never made a production reference with an exhibition caseback. These casebacks are available on an aftermarket basis, so don't assume that because the Rolex you're looking into has one that it's not authentic, but it's never a good sign ESPECIALLY if the seller is claiming that the exhibition caseback is Rolex OEM. __________________ Throw your Rollies in the sky, wave 'em side to side, now keep your hands high.

30 July 2007, 11:40 AM	#9
BiG JeEzY "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Jerome Location: N. California Watch: GMT I/EXP II/DJ Posts: 3,351	I read a Rolex FAQ before and it said that for a very long time, there were only two known see-through casebacks made by Rolex and one of them is owned by Mr. James Dowling himself. This info may not be accurate though since I'm only trying to recall it from memory. The see through casebacks made by Rolex are in the Cellini line and not the Oyster line. They are on the Cellini "Prince" model. __________________ -Rolex Explorer II Black dial 16570 (circa 2001) -Rolex GMT Master I Pepsi 1675 (circa 1978) -Rolex Datejust TT Champagne 16233 (circa 1991) -Vintage Longines Automatic La Grande Classique -Vintage Seiko 6138 Automatic Chronograph with "Kakume" Dial

30 July 2007, 07:52 PM	#14
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	You CAN have a custom made see-through sapphire crystal fitted on the back of your Rolex. BUT: It will NOT be original, and might void the guarantee. IMHO, it is also bad taste Anyway, as "Tombstone" writes: http://www.oysterworld.de/1/index.htm has pics of those crystals __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

30 July 2007, 08:04 AM	#2
Chad M "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 230	I have never heard of an Oyster case with a display back.

30 July 2007, 08:12 AM	#3
Bama "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: John Location: Washington, DC Posts: 1,150	A fellow member of this forum, Al, has a Rolex with a see through caseback I believe. He had it put on the watch- not original to the watch. I believe he had it pressure tested and just did it because he just liked the look. He had a picture somewhere on this forum but I couldn't find it.

30 July 2007, 08:19 AM	#5
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SUBMARINER Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,453	Here is a view through the clear case back of a RQLEX Oyster Case Submariner. Looks pretty good doesn't it ? I don't know who made it, but it sure was not Rolex..

30 July 2007, 08:27 AM	#6
mrchronoman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peterborough, Ont Posts: 4	Thanks for replies folks.

30 July 2007, 09:44 AM	#7
Tombstone "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Richard Location: LV, NV Watch: LV Sub and others Posts: 2,689	A german company makes the clear glass caseback, it has been posted on this forum in the past, for now go to this site for a photo ect. http://www.oysterworld.de/1/index.htm look under the heading glasscaseback.

30 July 2007, 11:28 AM	#8
mrchronoman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peterborough, Ont Posts: 4	I passed some pictures and your replies to my son. I'll let you know if its the real thing. I told him to put it next to a real one and he will soon know what he has. It is quite old and was given to him!

30 July 2007, 11:42 AM	#10
ianmedium Deregistered Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vancouver Watch: Rolex Datejust Posts: 450	It's funny you ask this as only today I was walking past my local AD before it was open, in place of the watches were brocures and one was the rolex prince , here is a link to the page on the website, i think this is the only official see-through caseback for Rolex! http://www.rolex.com/en/collection/r...y/prince/index PS, why is it we never here of these models on the forum, they look pretty smart IMHO Does anyone on the forum own one?

30 July 2007, 01:20 PM	#11
mrchronoman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peterborough, Ont Posts: 4	No serial# on the case between the lugs so I guess that puts an end to the speculation. He will check with a watch repair shop to see what kind of movement it is. He says it is very smooth and the screw down crown is very solid. Perhaps an Italian fake with the ETA. We'll see. Thanks for all the help.

30 July 2007, 04:32 PM	#12
erasuretim "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: cranfield, uk Watch: 14060m Posts: 251	HI! People who fit transparent backs normally retain the original case back so there are no awkward questions if the watch is resold. Regards Tim

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