replacement of solid caseback on a open one in a rep

[#MiniCooper#]

hi community, help please
got a patek nautilus rep recently. impressed with the watch overall, works great and looks fine. the only issue is that i've asked for an open caseback, the dealer told that it was possible. for some reason, the rep is with a solid back. tried to solve the issue with the dealer, but impossible
long story short, are there chances to change it to an open back by myself? what would you recommend? and if so, where do I do it? thanks

 

[Ethan]

first of all, what a "professional dealer" yours!!!!
this is reason enough to leave bad reviews for his store. other potential buyers must know their "heroes"...

2nd, think carefully if you are sure you want an open back.... you don't know how good the movement is inside, so after u see it, you might want to close it back

not all replicas have fine and neat movements, consider this....

maybe you can show me the caseback with a pic so I can better understand what you can expect. and why is the big deal with the open back?

 

[Mathew]

it might be problematic in the case of a rep... if it was a gen, things were easier... repair shops tend to have details from other similar watches... in the case of replicas, not so sure...

reps might come in different sizes. for instance my VC rep is 42mm diameter, but that of my buddy, the same model, but from an older release, is 42.3 mm in diameter. so chances are you won't find the right size for this detailing

maybe it's better to give up on this idea and just enjoy ur beautiful rep

 

[RoyaInk]

taught to say actually
to replace it, you would need another similar patek rep, from the same release, which is impossible to find, I guess

in terms of authentic watches, caseback replacement is usually done based on the case number. It must be compatible with the crystal alternative.

apart from this, keep in mind that an open caseback makes the watch sit taller than a solid one. the crystal is more sensitive to impacts and is usually thicker for durability purposes

then, you have to make sure that the watch is water proof once u switch to open caseback. I don't know if your rep is WR or not, but if it is, it could be sensitive to water after you make the switch, if you succeed

depending on the mechanism in your rep, the watch may become more sensitive to magnetism. if it is a movement featuring hairspring, it will be magnetized more easily. gen watches have magnetic protection. I'm not sure the reps have them as well...

if it's a base movement inside, I also think it's not worth the change, as @Mathew mentioned.... these are.... kinda ugly imho

it's your call, other than that, but I think too much is compromised if you decide to change it

 

[Drinky]

@royalnk appointed all aspects very well... I think you will have more disadvantages than advantages...

add here that not all shop repair specialists are also specialists in replica watches, so even if you find all the necessary details for your rep, it is not excluded that the repair stuff will have difficulties in assembling the open caseback due to lack of experience and due to possible differences between reps and gens

imho, you should leave things as they are and enjoy your Patek, if you were lucky with a good imitation... after all, the caseback is something intimate that only you enjoy, so not a big deal if the watch has a solid caseback

 

[BusyAsHell]

I don't recommend.... some time ago I had to change the Sub rep bezel because my son's got damaged... the repair stuff promised to change it flawlessly but in the end, the new bezel looked horrible and attached to the case was clumsy and unstable...

reps differ between them, even if it is the same model. each factory has different assembly techniques... all you could do is negotiate with your dealer for a watch replacement, if he agrees. Or get a new one with an open caseback if this feature is critical for you

 

[TesaLLiuM8565]

guys above have scored everything I wanted to comment on your question...

water resistance issues
reduced probability of finding the right caseback
low probability of finding a specialist to make such changes in a REP...

I don't think it's worth it, I would stay with the watch in the form it is. enjoy it! seems a nice rep. leave the open caseback for the next rep u buy

 

[Eugene]

if my opinion matters, I don't think you need to make major changes. everything that was said before is true and you risk triggering many malfunctions after the change... in addition, I think that even if you find a repair shop that will take on such changes, they will charge you triple for the service, for working with reps is very specific

bro, I'm afraid it's more convenient to get another watch with an open caseback than to change this one, if it's critical for you

 

[StevenOhio]

"by yourself" - no, there are no chances. unless you are a professional in this matter, you can try. but if you are an amateur, you risk being without your watch because you will screw everything uop. I do not recommend; reps have a specific construction and even those who repair watches can encounter difficulties

 

[MiracuLuis]

don't make this mistake!!! the replacement could cost you its functionality!!! go for another rep with open caseback if you still want it so badly. Leave it as it is if you say it works well and rates well... at least, it's my opinion

 

[Nobbing]

no, no, no!!! are u sure about the inner movement? open casebooks are to display the movement refinement and beauty. are u sure your nautilus rep looks like this? unless it's a super clone. I wouldn't take the risk, honestly. you better buy another rep with an open caseback by default. who knows what kind of movement did the factory include In your Patek?!

 

[Energybooster]

to begin with:

why would a dealer send a solid caseback watch if you ordered an open one?

2:
why is it not possible to solve the problem with the dealer? isn't he supposed to accept refund or return in case he got the order wrong?

3:
how big are the chances that dealers ship wrong rep watches to their customers? sorry, did not get any rep watch so far but plannig to... so kinda shocked of the possible scenarios that can go wrong


4. I see no reason to make any changes if the watch comforts you. what if repair shops damage something in it? would leave it the way it is...

 

[CoffeeTime]

to begin with:

why would a dealer send a solid caseback watch if you ordered an open one?

2:
why is it not possible to solve the problem with the dealer? isn't he supposed to accept refund or return in case he got the order wrong?

3:
how big are the chances that dealers ship wrong rep watches to their customers? sorry, did not get any rep watch so far but plannig to... so kinda shocked of the possible scenarios that can go wrong


4. I see no reason to make any changes if the watch comforts you. what if repair shops damage something in it? would leave it the way it is...

welcome to the board DDDD

1. rep dealers usually ship what they have in store, even if you ordered something else DD so, u can expect anything DD

2. it's probably one of those dealers that don't accept refunds and the author didn't pay attention to this detail before placing the order... if you're planning to get a rep watch for the first time, make sure you buy from a dealer that accept refund or return if something goes wrong!!!

3:
chances are big. but, if you do your homework, you have a high chance of getting what you want. DO YOUR RESEARCH before buying the replica watch. Do not buy from anyone who offers superior quality for a low price... in this forum you will find plenty of info on how to find a trusted dealer. The rep industry is like a lottery. if you are not careful what you buy, the dealers will be careful to sell you what they want.

4. agree with u

 

[Calatrava]

this is not recommended even in gen watches, let alone the rep ones... I don't encourage making any serious changes in replica watches. for that, you should return the watch to the factory where it was produced to avoid issues... imagine yourself having to re-assemble something assembled by anyone else... chances are to screw it up completely

 

[SonReir671]

why would you do that? are you sure about the inner movement in your rep? open casebacks should be highly decorated to be exposed to view. who knows what's with the mechanism in your rep. in addition, you risk encountering technical deficiencies if you call the wrong master...
finally, I think you are taking more risks than benefits. rather get a new patek philippe with integrated oped caseback than to undertake such changes on your own

 

[Albert]

I don't know if my opinion matters, considering that 99% here are against those changes you plan... all I want to tell you is that I am also against...


rep watches are of exceptional quality even today... but you never know what is hidden behind the caseback. even if you open and you like the internal movement, let's say it's a super clone, you never know that the repair shop will replace the solid on the open caseback flawlessly... many of them don't really accept to repair a fakw watch, chair if it's of good quality... let alone changing the caseback... I think it's easier to get a new one, the way you like it, and not risk the Nautilus u got. Or, get ready for any screwing up

 

[UdlinINTEL]

I wouldn't risk it either) wear it as it is and be happy that you got a gut repDD on the other hand, after all it's a rep and not a genuine one, and even if things go wrong, you have another one and that's it..... add to this that if you find a specialist who would commit to trying to make such changes, the chances are that everything will end well

bro, I changed my mind... you could try... better to try and fail than not to try and be left with doubts you'll get over it, eventually

 

[CityBreak]

for me, replica watches are experimental. given the fact that they are quite affordable, I wouldn't have any problem experimenting with it. what's the worst that can happen? in the worst case, you are left without a watch and buy another one from the same dealer, if he comforted you....

and what if things go well? the watch specialists are professionals and I'm sure they will handle your task perfectly. you don't give an authentic watch for modifications so you don't have to worry so much


PS: show us what you've got after the replacement

 

[Perpetual]

if you find a good and qualified repair service, I don't think you will have issues with this task... a friend of mine made such changes, and everything was ok,,,, the important thing is to find a good craftsman.... after all, it's a reply,,, it's not serious dada things go wrong

 

[Michelangelo]

I wouldn't bother)

I think it's more nonsense than advantages... I would leave the watch as it is and look for a good dealer for the next watch that is surely with an open caseback... the only thing I don't understand is why your dealer didn't assume responsibility for a different watch than what you requested!!!! that's not fair!