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WatchingTime · 11 September 2012, 01:15 AM

I would like to buy a Sapphire case back for the new Rolex Explorer II 42mm 216570. Love the look, and it can be changed back to the factory case back in 15 minutes (switching back to factory case back maintains your warranty in the event you have to send watch to Rolex for service). From my research, I understand these aftermarket case backs also pass pressure testing with flying colors.

I have found two reputable case back suppliers, one made in Germany and one made in Switzerland at what I consider a reasonable price (under $250 US). The problem is, neither are making it for the 42mm EXP.
My question is, who is making these for the new Explorer II 216570? Have I overlooked a source?

Below, please find photo of a sapphire case back and a great install article if you are interested in learning more about having one of these case back's on your Rolex:

Installing a Sapphire Caseback link here.

Kingair · 11 September 2012, 01:32 AM

And who says that the movement of a rolex is not nice ?

Look really G R E A T !

HAGOne

padi56 · 11 September 2012, 01:38 AM

The Rolex movement is quite plain Jane in the looks department so speaking for myself a solid case back is best.

Puffy · 11 September 2012, 02:00 AM

while it's no patek it does look nice. job well done

SeaDweller50 · 11 September 2012, 02:02 AM

The case back looks the same size as the GMT and Submariner to me.

capote · 11 September 2012, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

the rolex movement is quite plain jane in the looks department so speaking for myself a solid case back is best.

+1

warrior · 11 September 2012, 02:31 AM

I'm a fan of Rolex...but I don't think the movement is particularly great to look at. If you're talking a Breguet or ALS, sure. IMO, even the Omega 8500 looks way better than the 3135 shown.

WatchingTime · 11 September 2012, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warrior

I'm a fan of Rolex...but I don't think the movement is particularly great to look at. If you're talking a Breguet or ALS, sure. IMO, even the Omega 8500 looks way better than the 3135 shown.

Agreed, nothing extravagant, but having a Rolex with a case back is what makes it different and appealing. It's all relative. When I set my watch on the counter, and I go to pick it up, I would rather be looking at a clear case back vs. steel. The steel back is like looking at a blank, white wall. pretty boring in my opinion, which is why a clear case back has a subtle draw for me. Are their better movements to look at? You bet!

Thank you for your input

MortgageGuy · 11 September 2012, 04:03 AM

Looks good to me too

kv116610 · 11 September 2012, 04:04 AM

This looks great thanks for putting this up!

karmatp · 11 September 2012, 04:12 AM

I have not heard of anyone putting one on the Explorer II, so maybe they don't exist. The reality is that if I want to see the movement, I would buy a watch with a pretty movement that comes with a display back.

WatchingTime · 11 September 2012, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karmatp

I have not heard of anyone putting one on the Explorer II, so maybe they don't exist. The reality is that if I want to see the movement, I would buy a watch with a pretty movement that comes with a display back.

Here is the only photo I could find of the new 3187 movement used in the new Rolex Explorer II 42mm 21657. Doesn't look so bad to me, and better than a plain steel back in my opinion

WatchingTime · 11 September 2012, 07:15 AM

Does anyone on the forum have a photo of the new Rolex 3187 movement? The only one I could find I posted, but i am looking for other (better) photos. Thanks in advance!

w.genzo · 11 September 2012, 07:30 AM

Looks nice (I would never do it on my watches though)
But what happened to the lughs??

Silvio Mosiello · 11 September 2012, 07:37 AM

I like it!

Gharddog03 · 11 September 2012, 09:34 AM

Looks good.

WatchingTime · 11 September 2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolexplorerII

The case back looks the same size as the GMT and Submariner to me.

Correct! This was just an example of a case back I included to help generate forum feedback. I am looking to source out a case back for the EXP II 42mm which it looks like you own too. Thank you.

WatchingTime · 11 September 2012, 03:27 PM

bump. Anyone have any better photos of the new 3187 movement??

iLLGT2 · 11 September 2012, 04:15 PM

How do you ensure it's water resistance after swapping it, does it then have to go for pressure testing?

Watchmutt · 11 September 2012, 04:28 PM

That looks nice. I'm still not sure I would do it though.

U5512 · 11 September 2012, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvio Mosiello

I like it!

X2...!!!

SeaDweller50 · 11 September 2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WatchingTime

bump. Anyone have any better photos of the new 3187 movement??

There is no discernible difference between the 3185, 3186 and 3187. Between the 3185 and 3186 is a blue spring and between a 3186 and 3187 a paraflex shock absorber.

Psmith · 11 September 2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WatchingTime

bump. Anyone have any better photos of the new 3187 movement??

The only one I've seen is in the handbook that comes with the Exp II !

Psmith · 11 September 2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolexplorerII

There is no discernible difference between the 3185, 3186 and 3187. Between the 3185 and 3186 is a blue spring and between a 3186 and 3187 a paraflex shock absorber.

Actually, the 3187 is a larger calibre than the 3186

When it was first announced, I wondered if the 3187 would be fitted in the GMT II C, but apparently it's too big

The Joker · 11 September 2012, 06:02 PM

What has happened to the Lugs?

Andad · 11 September 2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolexplorerII

There is no discernible difference between the 3185, 3186 and 3187. Between the 3185 and 3186 is a blue spring and between a 3186 and 3187 a paraflex shock absorber.

IMO you have not researched this.

If you think the only difference between a 3185 and 3186 is a blue spring - you need to go back to skool.

Have you been caught up in the 'there is no difference' hype?

IMO Rolex gave this movement a new number for a reason.

This shows the parts in the 3186 movement that are not interchangable with the 3185 movement.

Adam K. · 11 September 2012, 06:09 PM

In addition to the Paraflex shock absorber, the 3187 is slightly larger than the (related) 3185/3186 due to its greater diameter mainplate. That, as I understand, is the chief difference...although there are certainly other subtleties here and there.

Still, would like to see a photo of the 3187. At this point, one has yet to surface on the web--somewhat of a surprise, considering how many fans are rabid about the 216570 (me included)!

travisb · 11 September 2012, 06:09 PM

Not bad.
I'll stick with the solid case backs though.
Good luck with your search.

Andad · 11 September 2012, 06:14 PM

Some pix.

Lt.Arclight · 11 September 2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

The Rolex movement is quite plain Jane in the looks department so speaking for myself a solid case back is best.

Agree 100%. A fine movement,but not worth a display back.

11 September 2012, 01:38 AM	#3
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 52,990	The Rolex movement is quite plain Jane in the looks department so speaking for myself a solid case back is best. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

11 September 2012, 02:00 AM	#4
Puffy "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Here and there Posts: 12,485	while it's no patek it does look nice. job well done __________________ Fine Quality is Long Remembered After the Pain of Spending Money is Forgotten

11 September 2012, 04:03 AM	#9
MortgageGuy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Adam Location: Orlando, Florida Watch: Me Posts: 9,935	Looks good to me too __________________ The richest people in the world look for and build NETWORKS, Everyone else looks for work... Robert Kiyosaki

11 September 2012, 04:12 AM	#11
karmatp "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Trevor Location: Arizona Posts: 5,740	I have not heard of anyone putting one on the Explorer II, so maybe they don't exist. The reality is that if I want to see the movement, I would buy a watch with a pretty movement that comes with a display back. __________________ My grails:

11 September 2012, 07:30 AM	#14
w.genzo "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: EU Posts: 622	Looks nice (I would never do it on my watches though) But what happened to the lughs?? __________________ http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=248875 http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=252793 https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...d.php?t=286759

11 September 2012, 01:32 AM	#2
Kingair "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA Watch: Not enough ;-) Posts: 21,232	And who says that the movement of a rolex is not nice ? Look really G R E A T ! HAGOne

11 September 2012, 02:02 AM	#5
SeaDweller50 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Real Name: Sandy Location: England. Watch: 14060M 2 liner Posts: 3,204	The case back looks the same size as the GMT and Submariner to me.

11 September 2012, 02:31 AM	#7
warrior "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: massachusetts Watch: Explorer Posts: 1,691	I'm a fan of Rolex...but I don't think the movement is particularly great to look at. If you're talking a Breguet or ALS, sure. IMO, even the Omega 8500 looks way better than the 3135 shown.

11 September 2012, 04:04 AM	#10
kv116610 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Real Name: Vic Location: Saint Louis Watch: 116610 Posts: 17	This looks great thanks for putting this up!

11 September 2012, 07:15 AM	#13
WatchingTime "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 277	Does anyone on the forum have a photo of the new Rolex 3187 movement? The only one I could find I posted, but i am looking for other (better) photos. Thanks in advance!

11 September 2012, 07:37 AM	#15
Silvio Mosiello "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: Matthew Location: Miami/NY Watch: the shoes. Posts: 3,482	I like it!

11 September 2012, 09:34 AM	#16
Gharddog03 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Genaro Location: Fresno Ca. Watch: R O L E X Posts: 4,466	Looks good.

11 September 2012, 03:27 PM	#18
WatchingTime "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 277	bump. Anyone have any better photos of the new 3187 movement??

11 September 2012, 04:15 PM	#19
iLLGT2 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Martin Location: NY And FLA Watch: AP ROO Blue Scuba Posts: 2,695	How do you ensure it's water resistance after swapping it, does it then have to go for pressure testing?

11 September 2012, 04:28 PM	#20
Watchmutt "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA Watch: 116600 Posts: 724	That looks nice. I'm still not sure I would do it though.

11 September 2012, 06:02 PM	#25
The Joker "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Gotham Posts: 9,641	What has happened to the Lugs?

11 September 2012, 06:09 PM	#27
Adam K. Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: WA Watch: All the Oysters Posts: 811	In addition to the Paraflex shock absorber, the 3187 is slightly larger than the (related) 3185/3186 due to its greater diameter mainplate. That, as I understand, is the chief difference...although there are certainly other subtleties here and there. Still, would like to see a photo of the 3187. At this point, one has yet to surface on the web--somewhat of a surprise, considering how many fans are rabid about the 216570 (me included)!

11 September 2012, 06:09 PM	#28
travisb 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Travis Location: FL / NYC Watch: Yes.. Posts: 33,353	Not bad. I'll stick with the solid case backs though. Good luck with your search.

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