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It can come as no shock to our common readers that I like classic watches. A few of it’s possible you’ll keep in mind that I just lately bought a classic King Seiko ref. 45-7001 45KS. Now, some months into proudly owning that classic King Seiko, I’ve determined to change it with a sapphire case again.
After some analysis, I found a specialist store, The Time Collective in Singapore, that sells sapphire case backs for classic Seiko, Grand Seiko, and King Seiko watches. I fitted one to my 45KS, and right now, I wish to discuss why contemplating a sapphire case again on your classic watch could possibly be an important concept!
Picture: The Diamond Field
Why get a sapphire case again for a classic watch?
Sapphire case backs have gotten more and more frequent within the watch world. As soon as a rarer phenomenon, these days, it appears virtually each different watch has a sapphire case again. Even the venerable Omega Speedmaster, a Fratello favourite, comes with both an all-steel case again or an elective show again.
There are a number of the explanation why we’re seeing an increasing number of sapphire case backs. One of many main ones is that calibers are more and more immune to magnetism. Elements that have been as soon as susceptible to magnetic fields, which may intervene with timekeeping, can now be made in supplies which are immune to magnetic interference.
Picture: Analog/Shift
The evolution of antimagnetic watches
Previously, producers took magnetic interference fairly critically. One of the frequent methods to surmount the issue was using a Faraday cage. This often meant a easy iron plate, which might sit above the motion, coupled with a dial fabricated from an identical antimagnetic materials. Examples of this embrace classic IWC pilot’s watches, the Ingenieur, and the Rolex Milguass.
Picture: Bulang & Sons
IWC nonetheless makes use of an iron cage inside its Mark-series watches, regardless that that is now considerably offset by way of antimagnetic supplies within the calibers. My neo-vintage IWC Mark XV and Pilot’s Chronograph 3706 additionally each make the most of this expertise. Sapphire glass, nonetheless, is a hard-wearing and hard materials. Advances on this discipline have additionally made using sapphire as a fabric for the case again extra related.
The case for a sapphire case again on a classic watch
Resisting magnetism was one main cause that many classic watches make the most of an all-metal case again. Whether or not a classic watch case is metal, gold, or another materials, chances are high it has an identical case again. Whereas many classic watches have fantastic metallic case backs, together with my King Seiko 45KS with its gold medallion, it’s additionally a disgrace as a result of many classic calibers are famend for his or her craftsmanship and sweetness.
The unique King Seiko case again
My King Seiko isn’t any exception. As we are able to see, although comparatively plainly adorned, the caliber is an excellent factor to behold. Due to the brand new sapphire case again, this high-beat motion can now be seen ticking away beneath. It’s an absolute pleasure to observe this classic caliber hum to life as I wind it up.
One other method of including pleasure to your vintage-watch-wearing expertise
There’s something significantly nerdy about taking your classic watch off to take a seat there and admire the caliber. However wouldn’t it’s one thing to see the straightforward fantastic thing about an IWC Cal. 89 or marvel on the craftsmanship in a classic Patek or Vacheron? A fast Google search reveals a number of firms providing sapphire case backs for watches from totally different manufacturers, together with Rolex. Some even provide customized case backs for uncommon or obscure classic timepieces.
There may be one vital factor to contemplate for those who’re planning on including a sapphire case again to your watch: you most likely gained’t wish to take it close to the water except you’ve had it stress examined after the brand new case again has been utilized. Whereas chances are high slim that most individuals will take classic watches swimming or diving, I do know some who do it (I’m you, Jason Heaton).
Concluding ideas
I’ve written previously about the advantages of swapping watch straps to breathe contemporary air right into a classic timepiece. It by no means occurred to me till just lately that swapping out case backs was additionally a viable choice! I might be curious to examine any readers’ experiences in making an identical modification and what watches they did it to.
What do you suppose, Fratelli? Would you make this modification to your classic watch? If that’s the case, what watch would you do it to and why? The great factor is that if it doesn’t gel with you, you’ll be able to all the time refit the unique case again!
