Need to open a watch case? Need to know how to open the back of a watch to change the battery? Just want to see what’s inside? Opening a watch back is similar across many types of watches. This particular how to is how to open wrist watch. Opening a pocket watch is quite different. There are two basic types of watch cases, screw back and snap back. There are others, but we are only going to discuss the two most popular types of watch backs. In order to open a watch case with these types of back you will need a watch back removal tool: ![]() ![]() On a screw back case the first tool to open watch case to try is the ball, this is also how to open a watch back without notches. This is not an ordinary ball, the rubber is very grabby and it is soft enough to mash into the back and grip very tightly. Many times this ball can open a watch case without any difficulty, avoiding scratches. Press the ball firmly into the back of the case while supporting the front with your other hand like this: ![]() ![]() Since this watch has notches and the first point fits in the notches very well we place all three of these tips in the three holders on the tool (each of the tips above come in a set of three). When opening a watch back with this tool make sure by twisting the tool’s handle and the adjustment knob on top that all three tips are securely in place on the back of the watch in the notches like this: ![]() If the back spins and will not unscrew it could be a fake screw back case. Some cheaper watches have backs that look like screw backs but really are snap backs, and for that we need a case knife, or a snap back watch case opener. Take the case knife and insert it between the back and the rest of the case near a lug as shown below: ![]() I would highly suggest you practice opening a watch back for a while before you do it on a nice watch as it is easy to scratch the heck out of the back with a case knife. One other warning, a case knife is a special made tool, you can not use a standard knife to do its job. If you try, at best you will dull the heck out of your knife, at worst you can stab yourself, break the blade and have it fly into your eye, or worse. Always use the correct tool for the job and practice with it. The other side of opening a watch back is closing them. Some you can just snap back in by hand with no problem. The real problem comes with tougher ones you may be tempted to use too much force on, even to the point of putting the watch crystal down on a desk or table and putting your body weight into snapping the case back on. This can, and very often does, cause the crystal to crack. To avoid that you need this tool: ![]() ![]() One good point contributed by a reader is that some dies for some watch case presses contain a recess for the crystal so that the pressure is applied to both sides of the case and not the crystal. This is an excellent idea which even though I have not needed so far, I will certainly look into getting some. So how to close a watch back without a press? You can support the case in such as way that the crystal is facing down and is not taking any force when you push down on the back. Be careful with this however because if the force is applied to the crystal, or the watch slips, it could break the crystal or worse. If you like working on your watch and need a little inexpensive tool kit, try this tool kit. Good luck! |
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