Modifying and Upgrading Your Rolex
By: John B. Holbrook, II
September 29th, 2008
In many cases, when people buy products (cars and computers immediately come to mind), they like to made modifications to those products. In some cases, people want to personalize their possessions, making them unique to themselves. In other cases, they wish to upgrade certain components of a product to enhance the products performance. Watches can also be modified and upgraded, which many people do. There are of course polar schools of thought on making modifications, from one extreme of "keep it stock" to "anything goes - it's your watch." The "keep it stock" folks will tell you that making any alteration to the stock appearance of your Rolex makes it a "Frankenwatch" and destroys the appeal as well as value. The "anything goes" camp however says that it's your watch, you paid for it, and you can change anything you'd like to - whatever floats your boat. I tend to fall somewhere between the two polar views. I'm not opposed to modifying or improving a watch, so long as I can quickly and easily return the watch to its stock configuration. Below are two mods which I've made to my own watches which are exemplify my own philosophy and comfort level with making alterations to my watches.
UPGRADING THE CLASP ON MY YACHT-MASTER
A couple of years ago, my friend "Jocke" of www.watchwallpapers.com bought a Yacht-Master, and was the first person to my knowledge to come up with the idea of replacing the stock clasp on the YM with a Daytona clasp. Ever since reading his YM article where he shows the clasp replacement (read about it HERE) I've wanted to try it myself. Just keep in mind this is an insanely expensive modification to make. Rolex USA won't allow you to order individual parts like a clasp, so if you'll need to either be in or know someone in Europe to even be able get a Daytona clasp. With the current exchange rate, it could cost upwards of $800.00 too. But it's a really nice upgrade. :) Here's a shot of my Yacht-Master prior to the upgrade.
Because the Daytona bracelet has the same polished and brushed combination finish as the Yacht-Master, the clasp from the Daytona looks just perfect on the Yacht-Master.
SAPPHIRE CASE BACKS
Now here's another modification which the collector community can be touchy about. Historically, Rolex has always had a solid stainless steel case back on their watches (with the notable exception of the recently released Cellini Prince models). Because of this fact, and the fact that some VERY bad fake Rolexes out there actually have clear case backs on them, some people frown upon putting a glass or sapphire crystal case back on a Rolex. However, while Rolex movements aren't the most highly decorated movements you'll find, many would take great pleasure in having sapphire case back on their Rolex to be able to see the movement inside. I'm perfectly fine with this modification, because a case back can easily be changed. But I do think there are Rolex watches which are more appropriate for this upgrade than others. A dive watch like the Submariner or Sea-Dweller, would not be my first choice for example.The first time I saw a sapphire case back, my good friend Hannes of www.Oysterworld.de had purchased one, and placed it on his Rolex 4030 caliber equipped stainless Daytona. Because the 4030 is based on the Zenith El Primero movement, it exhibited a level of decoration not typically found on a Rolex and is a perfect choice the the sapphire case back modification. When I purchased a Daytona which had a parachrom bleu hairspring equipped caliber 4130, I knew I wanted a sapphire case back for it so I could see that cool blue hairspring. Here are some photos of my Daytona with the new case back:
Clearly the extent and degree of modification, customization and personalization you do on your own watch is a personal decision - everything from engravings, to custom dials, to even PVD coating an entire watch are possible examples. Hopefully this article will give you some ideas.