WATCH CASE OPENERS

I’ve been opening watches for almost 28 years…

I’m become quite a pro at it.

But I cheat. It’s only because I have all the proper tools at hand!

For with specially crafted tools, changing batteries and opening watch cases is a cinch.

Well, most of the time!

When we’re talking about watches, there are 4 main styles of watch backs that you should become familiar with. For the type that you have will determine the watch tool needed to open it up. For different styles need different tools.

These are the different watch case backs:

1. Snap Off Case Backs
2. Notched Case Backs
3. Screw Off Case Backs
4. Watch Case with Screws

Let’s take a closer look…

1) Snap Off Case Backs

They make so many different types and styles of watches, from cheap to expensive, with snap on case backs. They all do just about the same thing… The back of the watch snaps off.

It’s really the most common type of watch on the market. It’s a standard back that snaps on and covers the movement.

To open it, simply push a sharp edge, like a knife or a case opener, up against the lip of the case back (see image below), and with a flipping motion up, snap the cover off with a good heave. Usually this works like a charm. You will find that some are stubborn and sealed tight. For those, you’ll need a more durable tool, like the styles shown below. Ones that clamp the watch down and use pressure to snap the cover off.

Most of these styles are easy to use (as long as the edge of the opener is sharp enough, for when it’s dull, it’s much harder to use). Jewelers usually carry multitudes of these, and sometimes you’ll have to rotate through all the tools to find the one that works the best for that particular watch.

Do note that some snap backs don’t have an actual lip to grasp and pry up…

These are trickier beasts…

For you’ll have to maneuver a sharp edge between the case and the back, and then hammer (rubber mallet) the edge into the crack to snap them apart.

That’s fun to do! :)

Plus, some are hard to tell if the case actually snaps off, or rotates off (threads inside the lid that screw off). So practice and experience tells you the difference between them.

And also note that once you have the lid off, most watches will be easy to snap the lid back on once you’re done changing the battery. Usually just lining up the back (making sure if there’s a notch in the lid, that it fits over the stem properly, or otherwise you’ll bend it or break it, and then that gets pretty expensive to repair!) and applying pressure with your thumb and fingers… A good strong squeeze will generally seal the watch again.

But…

Some covers are difficult and fit tight. You’ll then need to use a watch case press to seal the watch, otherwise you’ll probably damage, deform and warp the back, and then, it’ll never go back on properly.

See all the different tools below:

And get them here:

Stainless Steel Watch Back Case Opener
Watch Back Case Opener Battery Remover
2 Piece Metal Watch Repair Kit
Green Double Lever Watch Back Case Opener
Victorinox Swiss Army Packer Utility Knife
Watch Case Opener Steel Knife
New Watch Case Opener with 3 Screw-On Tips
OTOOLWORLD Watch case opener
Watch Snap Back Case Opener
Professional Snap-on Watch Back Opener

See ALL the watch snap off case openers HERE!

2) Snap Off Case Backs

These are my favorite type of watch case to open. They’re easy to unscrew and easy to close.

These watches (usually waterproof or water resistant watches) will generally have notches, usually 6, that run around the outside of the case back (see image below).

And they make many tools that have pins, pegs or prongs (of different sizes and thicknesses depending on the thickness of the notch), that hook into these slots. That way you can turn and open the case (remember – righty-tighty, lefty-loosey).

Some tools have 3 pegs to align (I like these tools the best). You adjust the tool to fit into 3 alternating notches (see image again), and then pushing down (so you don’t strip the slots), you rotate, and then the back screws off. Other tools only use 2 slot grips, they go on opposite sides of the watch. They work just as well and are fairly easy to manipulate.

You just hold the watch in one hand. Hold the tool in the other. And twist!

It’s pretty efficient and fast!

And they even make balls that work too (see image again).

Those you just push it down on the watch, which then grips the back, and spin…

See all the tools here:

To close these styles of watches, you just manually screw the back on (making sure it’s in the threads correctly and not crooked or slanted), and tighten it as much as you can by hand. And then, you use the tool once more to give it another snug twist or two, just to make sure it’s on good and tight.

Get all your notch case openers here:

3 Prong Watch Case Back Opener Wrench
2 Prong Jewelry Watch Case Screw Back Opener Wrench
Professional Watch Adjustable Opener Back Case (hand-held blue, 2 prong)
Stainless Steel Repair Tool Round Tip Watch Back Case Opener
Yellow Ball – Watch Back Case Opener Screw Type Cover

See all the notch case openers HERE!

3) Screw Off Case Backs

These case backs will have a series of edges, grooves, or threads (like the edge of a dime) around the outside edge (see image below).

These will require special tools. You pick out the right sizes bezel that fits these threads snug, then snap the handle on, and twist (again, counterclockwise to loosen, clockwise to tighten).

Sometimes you’ll also need to clamp the watch down, for some of them are a bear. Use a watch block to secure the watch and give you more leverage when you twist.

See image below…

It is important to note that in any of these different types of watch case openers… a watch block may be necessary (shown in the last image next to the mallet)! In fact, it’s highly recommended. A repair block holds the watch tight as you operate on the back. It keeps the watch from getting scratched (absolutely a must if you have an Oyster Rolex or Tudor), keeps the crystal from getting damaged, and protects the band. For the wrong twist or turn can break, bend or destroy a band (metal or leather strap) in a second. So be careful when you’re twisting with all your might… Damaging watches is easy, and even the pros do it from time to time.

Pick up your screw off tools here:

Hand Held Watch Back Case Opener Closer Remover
Bench Watch Opener Accessory For Screw/Oyster Style Watch Cases

See all the screw back watch case openers HERE!

And lastly…

4) Watch Case with Screws

If the case back has screws (as seen in the image below), grab a good set of precision watch screwdrivers, and unscrew those little buggers (Keep a tin handy to collect them, that way you don’t lose them or drop them in the carpet…) One of the biggest manufacturers of watches that require a screwdriver… Casio!

See image below…

Get your Screwdrivers HERE:

5 piece Micro Precision Screwdrivers for Watch Repair

See ALL the precision screwdrivers HERE!

Tool Kits

And if you really want a bunch of tools at your disposal (like the jewelers do), grab yourself a watch tool kit that carries most of the watch tools shown above.

These tools you’ll use more than you know. For they really do come in handy.

Get your watch tool kits here:

Deluxe 27 piece Watch Tool Kit
144 Piece Watch Tool Kit
20 Piece Watchmaker Tool Kit

See all the Watch Tool Kits HERE!

As well as…

A rubber mallet… Always a good tool to have!

And a watch case press! A must for sealing waterproof watches!

(Most kits don’t carry these!)

Check out all the different watch case openers HERE!

Cheers! :)