Aftermarket exhibition caseback

Scarecrow Boat · Oct 15, 2021

After seeing this thread, I had ordered version two of SpiralWinder's casebacks and it arrived today. I have a Thomas Priek caseback, which I love, so I will compare against that one.

Firstly, the Thomas Priek case back is very well made. I think I prefer it. It comes with a separate movement spacer and fits beautifully on my 145.022 and Modern Speedy. The SpiralWinder caseback is well made too, but it does not come with a movement spacer, which I believe is due to how much thinner it is. Instead, it uses a rubber o-ring sitting in a groove around the glass to press against the movement when screwed down. When viewing through this caseback, the movement seems to be pressed right up against the glass compared to the breathing room in Thomas Priek's.

Secondly, I had ordered the SpiralWinder caseback to put on my 145.022 (which it is advertised to fit) as my Thomas Priek caseback was ordered for my Modern Speedy. This didn't work out and I am not entirely sure why. It immediately felt like it wanted to cross thread my 145 case. I tried several times with no success to attach it to my 145 case. The OEM caseback as well as the Thomas Priek caseback screw down seamlessly, so I know there are no issues with my case threads. So, the Thomas Priek caseback will reside on my 145.022. The SpiralWinder caseback attached smoothly to my Modern Speedy, which is where it will reside. Hopefully, if anyone ordered this for a 145.022, they will have better luck than I.

Overall, I do really like this version two caseback. I like the design of it and it feels like it belongs on the Speedy. The design of Thomas Priek caseback stands out a bit. The slimness of this back is noticeable on the wrist. It is definitely very low profile. I am happy with the purchase. Still, I think I prefer Thomas Priek's a little more. His feels more robust. Anyways, here are some photos comparing the two...

Thomas Priek

SpiralWinder

DoctorEvil · Oct 15, 2021

Scarecrow Boat
After seeing this thread, I had ordered version two of SpiralWinder's casebacks and it arrived today. I have a Thomas Priek caseback, which I love, so I will compare against that one.

Firstly, the Thomas Priek case back is very well made. I think I prefer it. It comes with a separate movement spacer and fits beautifully on my 145.022 and Modern Speedy. The SpiralWinder caseback is well made too, but it does not come with a movement spacer, which I believe is due to how much thinner it is. Instead, it uses a rubber o-ring sitting in a groove around the glass to press against the movement when screwed down. When viewing through this caseback, the movement seems to be pressed right up against the glass compared to the breathing room in Thomas Priek's.

Secondly, I had ordered the SpiralWinder caseback to put on my 145.022 (which it is advertised to fit) as my Thomas Priek caseback was ordered for my Modern Speedy. This didn't work out and I am not entirely sure why. It immediately felt like it wanted to cross thread my 145 case. I tried several times with no success to attach it to my 145 case. The OEM caseback as well as the Thomas Priek caseback screw down seamlessly, so I know there are no issues with my case threads. So, the Thomas Priek caseback will reside on my 145.022. The SpiralWinder caseback attached smoothly to my Modern Speedy, which is where it will reside. Hopefully, if anyone ordered this for a 145.022, they will have better luck than I.

Overall, I do really like this version two caseback. I like the design of it and it feels like it belongs on the Speedy. The design of Thomas Priek caseback stands out a bit. The slimness of this back is noticeable on the wrist. It is definitely very low profile. I am happy with the purchase. Still, I think I prefer Thomas Priek's a little more. His feels more robust. Anyways, here are some photos comparing the two...

Thomas Priek

SpiralWinder

Great comparison review. Thanks for posting.
Was considering a display caseback for my FOIS. From what I can see of your photos, I'd probably go with the SpiralWinder as it's thinner. I've got slim wrists and I find the FOIS thick enough as it is.
I'm really tempted now!

MikiJ · Oct 16, 2021

Maybe I've missed it but I'm considering an exhibition caseback for my new cal. 3861 Speedmaster.
Is there one currently available?

blueteg · Oct 16, 2021

Scarecrow Boat
After seeing this thread, I had ordered version two of SpiralWinder's casebacks and it arrived today. I have a Thomas Priek caseback, which I love, so I will compare against that one.

Firstly, the Thomas Priek case back is very well made. I think I prefer it. It comes with a separate movement spacer and fits beautifully on my 145.022 and Modern Speedy. The SpiralWinder caseback is well made too, but it does not come with a movement spacer, which I believe is due to how much thinner it is. Instead, it uses a rubber o-ring sitting in a groove around the glass to press against the movement when screwed down. When viewing through this caseback, the movement seems to be pressed right up against the glass compared to the breathing room in Thomas Priek's.

Secondly, I had ordered the SpiralWinder caseback to put on my 145.022 (which it is advertised to fit) as my Thomas Priek caseback was ordered for my Modern Speedy. This didn't work out and I am not entirely sure why. It immediately felt like it wanted to cross thread my 145 case. I tried several times with no success to attach it to my 145 case. The OEM caseback as well as the Thomas Priek caseback screw down seamlessly, so I know there are no issues with my case threads. So, the Thomas Priek caseback will reside on my 145.022. The SpiralWinder caseback attached smoothly to my Modern Speedy, which is where it will reside. Hopefully, if anyone ordered this for a 145.022, they will have better luck than I.

Overall, I do really like this version two caseback. I like the design of it and it feels like it belongs on the Speedy. The design of Thomas Priek caseback stands out a bit. The slimness of this back is noticeable on the wrist. It is definitely very low profile. I am happy with the purchase. Still, I think I prefer Thomas Priek's a little more. His feels more robust. Anyways, here are some photos comparing the two...

Got an email that my Spiralwinder v2 shipped today....right above that email in my inbox was the notification of the new post in this thread.
Thanks for sharing the pics. The (advertised) slimmer profile of the v2, over the steel caseback, was enough to get me to pull the trigger. Seeing the pictures and hearing the fitment differences of the v2 compared to the Priek, are helpful for people trying to decide what's best for them.

robinhook · Oct 31, 2021

Just installed the Spiralwinder v2 on my FOIS. it completely transformed the wearability of the watch and I couldn’t be happier. FOIS always feels too thick on my wrist, this case back shaved at least 1mm of the thickness. The picture below is a comparison with the Speedy 1957 60th anniversary before and after the case back switch, the difference is significant…

befobe · Oct 31, 2021

Mine has been sent! (Spiral)
Looking forward to taking a pic and sharing here...
Thanks again for this address, they seem very very well manufactured👍👍

Butik · Oct 31, 2021

Here is my Spiralwinder and I do agree it slims the watch a bit. I also got myself custom made laser engraving on the outer ring, just thought it was cool 😀

robinhook · Oct 31, 2021

Butik
Here is my Spiralwinder and I do agree it slims the watch a bit. I also got myself custom made laser engraving on the outer ring, just thought it was cool 😀

Looks very cool! Is it v1 or the slimmer v2?

For my v2 the only concern is that I couldn’t tell whether the sapphire crystal has touched the movement or not, but it looks like really close to touching it. Pretty sure when spiralwinder developed it everything was precisely measured so that it won’t push against the movement. But I’m wondering if we can visually tell when it does?

btw the case opening tool they made is really handy!

Butik · Oct 31, 2021

robinhook
Looks very cool! Is it v1 or the slimmer v2?[...]

I dunno to be honest. Here's what I got I hope you will recognise by SKU... I placed an order November 17th last year so I am not sure if it was V1 or V2 that time.

robinhook · Oct 31, 2021

Butik
I dunno to be honest. Here's what I got I hope you will recognise by SKU... I placed an order November 17th last year so I am not sure if it was V1 or V2 that time.

Thanks for the info! That's a v1 then (Link here, out of stock now) which is a bit thicker than the new v2 (SKU: A1-CB3-2021 link here).

nicolamilton · Oct 31, 2021

Butik
I dunno to be honest. Here's what I got I hope you will recognise by SKU... I placed an order November 17th last year so I am not sure if it was V1 or V2 that time.

V1. V2 has just appeared.

robinhook · Oct 31, 2021

robinhook
Looks very cool! Is it v1 or the slimmer v2?

For my v2 the only concern is that I couldn’t tell whether the sapphire crystal has touched the movement or not, but it looks like really close to touching it. Pretty sure when spiralwinder developed it everything was precisely measured so that it won’t push against the movement. But I’m wondering if we can visually tell when it does?

btw the case opening tool they made is really handy!

ok… in an attempt to resolve my own concern about the slim case back may be pushed against the movement, I took several pictures to measure the height of the movement and the height of the case back. I tried my best to take them from the same distance and angle, but it’s not perfect in any way. I picked 2 pictures each for with and without the case back, and align them side by side as follows. It seems from a very rough estimate of how thick the crystal is, there should be enough clearance inside so that the crystal is not touching the tallest part of the movement.

I’ve also emailed Spiralwinder directly with this question, will see what they say.

Speede · Oct 31, 2021

Scarecrow Boat
After seeing this thread, I had ordered version two of SpiralWinder's casebacks and it arrived today. I have a Thomas Priek caseback, which I love, so I will compare against that one.

Firstly, the Thomas Priek case back is very well made. I think I prefer it. It comes with a separate movement spacer and fits beautifully on my 145.022 and Modern Speedy. The SpiralWinder caseback is well made too, but it does not come with a movement spacer, which I believe is due to how much thinner it is. Instead, it uses a rubber o-ring sitting in a groove around the glass to press against the movement when screwed down. When viewing through this caseback, the movement seems to be pressed right up against the glass compared to the breathing room in Thomas Priek's.

Secondly, I had ordered the SpiralWinder caseback to put on my 145.022 (which it is advertised to fit) as my Thomas Priek caseback was ordered for my Modern Speedy. This didn't work out and I am not entirely sure why. It immediately felt like it wanted to cross thread my 145 case. I tried several times with no success to attach it to my 145 case. The OEM caseback as well as the Thomas Priek caseback screw down seamlessly, so I know there are no issues with my case threads. So, the Thomas Priek caseback will reside on my 145.022. The SpiralWinder caseback attached smoothly to my Modern Speedy, which is where it will reside. Hopefully, if anyone ordered this for a 145.022, they will have better luck than I.

Overall, I do really like this version two caseback. I like the design of it and it feels like it belongs on the Speedy. The design of Thomas Priek caseback stands out a bit. The slimness of this back is noticeable on the wrist. It is definitely very low profile. I am happy with the purchase. Still, I think I prefer Thomas Priek's a little more. His feels more robust. Anyways, here are some photos comparing the two...

Thomas Priek

SpiralWinder

Nice comparison. Thanks.

robinhook · Nov 1, 2021

robinhook
ok… in an attempt to resolve my own concern about the slim case back may be pushed against the movement, I took several pictures to measure the height of the movement and the height of the case back. I tried my best to take them from the same distance and angle, but it’s not perfect in any way. I picked 2 pictures each for with and without the case back, and align them side by side as follows. It seems from a very rough estimate of how thick the crystal is, there should be enough clearance inside so that the crystal is not touching the tallest part of the movement.

I’ve also emailed Spiralwinder directly with this question, will see what they say.

Good news to share as Spiralwinder emailed me back and confirmed that these casebacks do indeed have a safety margin so that even when tightened to the maximum, there is no risk of the movement contacting the sapphire.

I measured the total height of the FOIS with the replacement case back at 13.00mm. The official height is 14.5mm. This case back reduced it by 1.5mm or ~10%. That is indeed a significant change.

I think I’ll order another one for the 1957 60th speedy, that whole polished case back is so easy to get scratched.

H3RMZ · Nov 1, 2021

Butik
Here is my Spiralwinder and I do agree it slims the watch a bit. I also got myself custom made laser engraving on the outer ring, just thought it was cool 😀

The laser engraving looks class Where did you find the font to have it engraved. I would love to put an original Omega display case back but I can not seem to find one. So I am considering doing what you did.

Butik · Nov 1, 2021

H H3RMZ
The laser engraving looks class Where did you find the font to have it engraved. I would love to put an original Omega display case back but I can not seem to find one. So I am considering doing what you did.

The whole engraving "design" was made in Corel DRAW, that was connected to laser engraver. I used some font from the library that looked to me most close to original. So nothing extraordinary, but came out not so shabby 😉. Also OMEGA font and Hipocampus were downloaded from internet and converted into vectors for the laser engraver.

H3RMZ · Nov 1, 2021

Butik
The whole engraving "design" was made in Corel DRAW, that was connected to laser engraver. I used some font from the library that looked to me most close to original. So nothing extraordinary, but came out not so shabby 😉. Also OMEGA font and Hipocampus were downloaded from internet and converted into vectors for the laser engraver.

Would you consider making one for me? I will obviously pay you for your services.

nicolamilton · Nov 4, 2021

Did you have any problem opening the cases? Was it very tight? Which tool did you use?
I'm afraid of making scratches in the original case back, because it would ruin the guarantee.

robinhook · Nov 4, 2021

nicolamilton
Did you have any problem opening the cases? Was it very tight? Which tool did you use?
I'm afraid of making scratches in the original case back, because it would ruin the guarantee.

I did not encounter any problems thanks to the great tools Spiralwinder provided (for free). On there website it says if you need one of those just contact them. What I did was to add this request in the note section when placing the order, and they will include it with the case back. It’s 3D printed, solid but made of plastic. If you use it right it should not slip, but even if it does, it won’t scratch the case.

robinhook · Nov 4, 2021

Another update: I received the 2nd case back today. It does NOT fit the Speedmaster 60th Anniversary Reference 311.10.39.30.01.001, which has a slimmer case and the case back screw ring has a slightly smaller diameter than that of the standard speedy. Want to share that info.