Thank you! I searched everywhere but couldn't find anything helpful until I FINALLY stumbled across your video! I have all of the watch opener tools that you showed but wouldn't have thought that the blade would finally be the key. Thank you x1000.
I had a Seiko rectangular snap-back with no lip or aperture at all. I finally was able to conquer it with your advice and a trusty Swiss army knife. It took nearly twenty minutes, a lot of swearing and many scratches on the sides of the case back, but got it open and it's now running again after a routine battery change. Thanks a million! This is the only posting that helped at all.
Thank you so much for this video. I've been trying to open my cheap Prim watch Caliber 68.4 that I used to wear as a kid in primary school. There's a big community of owners and watchmakers here in Czech Republic around that particular brand since it's a local one and very popular. Although I did find few people in forums with the same problem the answer was always: "you need to find the notch, it's really tiny" and it just made me scream here in frustration: "THERE IS NO FRICKING NOTCH!!!" :) I'll make sure to point all those people to this video. Thanks again!
E U R E K A !!! 👍👍👍👍👍 Your technique worked! Nowadays, a lot of great looking (if inexpensive) watches are getting unnecessarily tossed due to no notches or indentions on the back - making it virtually impossible to open them. I did add a safety measure - wear an oven mitt or thick glove on your non-knife hand - in case it slips. THANKS!
Thanks for this. I was able to get mine open with the edge of a sharp knife as you did, but I took the precaution of putting a heavy glove on the watch holding hand first.
Thank you for this great video! I was getting ready to toss this watch and you helped me get into the battery case to change it! It's not an expensive watch, but one I really liked and now I get to use it again!!! Thank you.
The possible problem with using the blade of a small penknife to pop off a snap-on caseback plate on a watch is that if the watch has a black ion-plated finish, you might damage the finish on that type of watch. A great way to remove a snap-on caseback plate on a watch in order to change the watch battery is to use 5 - 7 or 8 layers of T-Rex Black Adhesive Tape! You first cut several pieces of T-Rex tape that fit the configuration and size of the watch caseback plate but - and this is important - with a slight overlapping edge of each layer of the tape that extends beyond the edge of the caseback plate, then place the pieces of tape, one-by-one onto the caseback plate making sure that each layer is firmly attached and then pull firmly on the overlapping edge of the layers of tape - you will find that it really takes some effort to get the tape to come off the edge of the caseback plate because T-Rex tape has a super strong adhesive backing (which is why it is so good at removing a snap-on caseback plate), and the caseback plate should loosen and come off. Make sure that you don't lose the rubber, elastic gasket that is attached to the inside of the caseback plate because that gasket gives the watch its' water resistance. After you have changed the battery and the new battery is firmly, securely in place, hold the watch vertically (after first verifying that the watch is running) and reattach the caseback plate so that the rubber gasket doesn't fall off the inside edge of the caseback plate as you are reattaching the caseback plate. If you try to reattach the caseback plate with the watch on a flat surface and the back of the watch facing upwards, as you try to reattach the caseback plate, the rubber gasket might fall off the inside of the caseback plate. After the caseback plate is reattached, you then patiently remove the gooey adhesive from the outside of the caseback plate so that the surface of the caseback plate is shiny once again - assuming that the caseback plate is not black ion-plated which some are. Some time ago, I removed the pieces of T-Rex tape from the caseback plate on a Citizen black PVD finish watch that I owned (I had put the pieces of T-Rex tape on the caseback plate to make the watch better fit my wrist) in order to sell the watch on Ebay and there was no damage to the black PVD finish on the caseback plate on that watch after I carefully removed the gooey T-Rex tape adhesive from the caseback plate.
thank you for this video- I have been using a sharp chisel, but always end up scratching the back. I had a pocket knife on my desk, and just like that it popped off. Thank you so much!!!
This is the first time I have been able to open my snap back no notch watch without any issues and in double quick time! Delighted! Thank you so much for sharing.
In fact I had 2 different kind of snap back openers, but neither of them worked because my watch back lip was so thin that I could not get any of those to enter into that lip. But with a small house knife, the third attempt it opened like a charm!!! Thank you.
FWIW, you should be able to sharpen that bench knife you first showed (if it is decent quality steel) and use the same technique. For really bad backs I wear a leather work glove or cut proof whittling glove on my left hand. That has saved me a lot of pain.
All I've done is scratched the shit out of my watch and blunted my pocket knife 😭😭Why can't watch companies put notches in the back? It's not that hard, is it?!
Thank you so much! I struggled for months to get the back off of a watch and refused to pay $20 for someone else to do it. Your pocketknife trick did the job quickly and easily. Thank you!
you da man ! This worked and saved all my wife's cheap ass watches -ha. I was using the tip of a knife instead of the side and the twisting motion. Well done mate!
I'm glad you got it off. I really need to update this video to better quality as it was just a quickie I did at the time when I discovered how hard it was to do this.
Thanks for this! I had a large watch with a snap back that had zero notch. I simply can't believe they make them like this, but I suspect they hope people will just toss them and buy another. Based on your video here, I opted to use a single-sided (for safety) razor blade - which did the trick perfectly.
Thank you so very much I knew there so many uses for a man's pocket knife. I buy watches at auctions all the time and these backs with no groove vex me I end up paying the jeweler. It worked and battery was replaced and to my happiness It works.
I've just bought a 20 yr old Junghans Solar 1 watch which needs a full refurb which I've started. I suspect the back cover has never been removed and I'd challenge anyone to get the back off this damn thing. I'm probably going to lose a finger it is so tight. Previous owner has had a go as there are "tell tale" marks. Two days into it and the only thing I can get under the rim is a Stanley Blade but I'm causing further damage and still no joy.
You are going to end up scratching the back, cover it with some masking tape. I see countless watches with scratches all the time, caused by the opener slipping.
Right, I`m off to find a pocket knife, if this works I`m gonna find where you live & order you a case of beer from your nearest store, my watch has been driving me nuts for the last hour with this exact problem!
Thank you! I searched everywhere but couldn't find anything helpful until I FINALLY stumbled across your video! I have all of the watch opener tools that you showed but wouldn't have thought that the blade would finally be the key. Thank you x1000.
No blood no sweat no swearing thanks for the great video had the back of my wifes watch in seconds. Thank you
If you don't do this right, there will be blood and swaring😂
i just struggled opening the back of my watch for 30 minutes. then i turned on this video and it was open before the video even ended. thank you!!!!!!
I had a Seiko rectangular snap-back with no lip or aperture at all. I finally was able to conquer it with your advice and a trusty Swiss army knife. It took nearly twenty minutes, a lot of swearing and many scratches on the sides of the case back, but got it open and it's now running again after a routine battery change. Thanks a million! This is the only posting that helped at all.
Thank you so much for this video. I've been trying to open my cheap Prim watch Caliber 68.4 that I used to wear as a kid in primary school. There's a big community of owners and watchmakers here in Czech Republic around that particular brand since it's a local one and very popular. Although I did find few people in forums with the same problem the answer was always: "you need to find the notch, it's really tiny" and it just made me scream here in frustration: "THERE IS NO FRICKING NOTCH!!!" :) I'll make sure to point all those people to this video. Thanks again!
E U R E K A !!! 👍👍👍👍👍 Your technique worked! Nowadays, a lot of great looking (if inexpensive) watches are getting unnecessarily tossed due to no notches or indentions on the back - making it virtually impossible to open them. I did add a safety measure - wear an oven mitt or thick glove on your non-knife hand - in case it slips. THANKS!
Been trying for two days to open a Rado watch with no luck. Watched this video, got my pocket knife and it worked. Thank you.
Thanks for this. I was able to get mine open with the edge of a sharp knife as you did, but I took the precaution of putting a heavy glove on the watch holding hand first.
Thank you for this great video! I was getting ready to toss this watch and you helped me get into the battery case to change it! It's not an expensive watch, but one I really liked and now I get to use it again!!! Thank you.
Thank you - Have tried on and off for days, and been scratching/cutting the watch. Was able to finally open it using your method.
The possible problem with using the blade of a small penknife to pop off a snap-on caseback plate on a watch is that if the watch has a black ion-plated finish, you might damage the finish on that type of watch. A great way to remove a snap-on caseback plate on a watch in order to change the watch battery is to use 5 - 7 or 8 layers of T-Rex Black Adhesive Tape! You first cut several pieces of T-Rex tape that fit the configuration and size of the watch caseback plate but - and this is important - with a slight overlapping edge of each layer of the tape that extends beyond the edge of the caseback plate, then place the pieces of tape, one-by-one onto the caseback plate making sure that each layer is firmly attached and then pull firmly on the overlapping edge of the layers of tape - you will find that it really takes some effort to get the tape to come off the edge of the caseback plate because T-Rex tape has a super strong adhesive backing (which is why it is so good at removing a snap-on caseback plate), and the caseback plate should loosen and come off. Make sure that you don't lose the rubber, elastic gasket that is attached to the inside of the caseback plate because that gasket gives the watch its' water resistance. After you have changed the battery and the new battery is firmly, securely in place, hold the watch vertically (after first verifying that the watch is running) and reattach the caseback plate so that the rubber gasket doesn't fall off the inside edge of the caseback plate as you are reattaching the caseback plate. If you try to reattach the caseback plate with the watch on a flat surface and the back of the watch facing upwards, as you try to reattach the caseback plate, the rubber gasket might fall off the inside of the caseback plate. After the caseback plate is reattached, you then patiently remove the gooey adhesive from the outside of the caseback plate so that the surface of the caseback plate is shiny once again - assuming that the caseback plate is not black ion-plated which some are. Some time ago, I removed the pieces of T-Rex tape from the caseback plate on a Citizen black PVD finish watch that I owned (I had put the pieces of T-Rex tape on the caseback plate to make the watch better fit my wrist) in order to sell the watch on Ebay and there was no damage to the black PVD finish on the caseback plate on that watch after I carefully removed the gooey T-Rex tape adhesive from the caseback plate.
thank you for this video- I have been using a sharp chisel, but always end up scratching the back. I had a pocket knife on my desk, and just like that it popped off. Thank you so much!!!
Thank you so much! swiss army knife finally worked. After I opened it, I could see there was a notch but it was UNDERNEATH and not visible!!
This is the first time I have been able to open my snap back no notch watch without any issues and in double quick time! Delighted! Thank you so much for sharing.
In fact I had 2 different kind of snap back openers, but neither of them worked because my watch back lip was so thin that I could not get any of those to enter into that lip. But with a small house knife, the third attempt it opened like a charm!!! Thank you.
Trying the tools you tried with no success. Used the knife and popped right off. Great info. Love RUclips!
struggled so long by myself..this worked in like 5 seconds...thank you for this
FWIW, you should be able to sharpen that bench knife you first showed (if it is decent quality steel) and use the same technique. For really bad backs I wear a leather work glove or cut proof whittling glove on my left hand. That has saved me a lot of pain.
Great video straight to the point and I just happened to have a pocket knife at arms reach .Worked on first attempt .Thank you
Thanks. Finally a video that helped me open my watch back!
All I've done is scratched the shit out of my watch and blunted my pocket knife 😭😭Why can't watch companies put notches in the back? It's not that hard, is it?!
Way less cost effective to produce high quality products
Totally agree 👍
Just remembered I had an old Swiss Army knife amongst the clutter on my workbench. Used it on my Seiko as you described and worked a treat!👌
Thank you so much. My watch has a notch, but I don't have the right tool and this method worked super easily!!
Thank you so much! I struggled for months to get the back off of a watch and refused to pay $20 for someone else to do it. Your pocketknife trick did the job quickly and easily. Thank you!
Glad it helped! It's still a bit tricky but it does work.
you da man ! This worked and saved all my wife's cheap ass watches -ha. I was using the tip of a knife instead of the side and the twisting motion. Well done mate!
I'm glad you got it off. I really need to update this video to better quality as it was just a quickie I did at the time when I discovered how hard it was to do this.
Awesome thank you! The whole back panel was attached to the actual watch in my case, which was really cool to pull out.
Thanks for this! I had a large watch with a snap back that had zero notch. I simply can't believe they make them like this, but I suspect they hope people will just toss them and buy another. Based on your video here, I opted to use a single-sided (for safety) razor blade - which did the trick perfectly.
Yes,There is no need to throw these watches away.
I have been trying for ages to get the back off my watch and did it in about three seconds doing it the way you showed 👌😊
You are a life saver! This tip worked for me and my watch! Thank you very much!!!
Worked when nothing else would! Thank you!
Thanks for the tip. I place tape on the case, to prevent the tool from scratching the case back.
Thank you so much. I was struggling for like 1 hour, until I found your video.
Worked perfectly my man! Thanks!
Holy moly this super useful 😮, thank you so much
Great tips! Works great 😃.
Thank you!
The knife technique works. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so very much I knew there so many uses for a man's pocket knife. I buy watches at auctions all the time and these backs with no groove vex me I end up paying the jeweler. It worked and battery was replaced and to my happiness It works.
Worked perfectly though I did use a razor and rubber coated work glove for my holding hand. Thank you!
Exactly what I needed! Worked a treat. Cheers mate 😃⌚
Fantastic . . . . it worked like a dream on a cheapo watch!
Great tip! Had it off in one minute
THANK YOU! I am able to revive a special family watch.
THIS WORKS !!! Thanks so much!
Thanks! Worked well.
Glad it worked!
I've just bought a 20 yr old Junghans Solar 1 watch which needs a full refurb which I've started. I suspect the back cover has never been removed and I'd challenge anyone to get the back off this damn thing. I'm probably going to lose a finger it is so tight. Previous owner has had a go as there are "tell tale" marks. Two days into it and the only thing I can get under the rim is a Stanley Blade but I'm causing further damage and still no joy.
Thank you- grabbed an old, serrated, Kitchen Devil knife and it popped straight off!
Thank you for sharing the solution- appreciate
Excellent looked at all the adults snap back watch back removal this worked on my unisex citizen thanks a lot. Put this on adults for womens watches
It worked! Thank you!
This technique worked great--thank you! (I used a regular flatware knife.)
Very good! Thanks to You I opened it
Worked like a charm!
Thank you!
Worked, thanks.
Finally, a technique that works. For me the twisting motion was the key.
Glad it helped you!
Exactly!
idge of a Binch?
A Kiwi for sure!
whoever makes these watches imposssible to open should be in JAIL !!!! :-(
You are going to end up scratching the back, cover it with some masking tape. I see countless watches with scratches all the time, caused by the opener slipping.
Hay thanks it worked !! I had to do three watches I forgot I had. Ps I adore hairy hands 😁
Thank you thank you thank you!
Worked with my knife thank you
think I'm going to open this watch with a hammer!
any way to notch or grease the edge once its off to make it easier next time to get it off?
Thank you this is amazing
Nice, mate
Well that worked thank you!
Your welcome! I'm glad this is helping so many people!
I'd still be wearing gloves. Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a go
i use pineapple slices. works everytime
I swear watches have a deal with bandaid manufacturers
Right, I`m off to find a pocket knife, if this works I`m gonna find where you live & order you a case of beer from your nearest store, my watch has been driving me nuts for the last hour with this exact problem!
great video but opening it is only half the trouble. Closing it is way more difficult. And the larger the watch the more difficult it is.
I don’t have that how do I open it with my finger or something
It’s not possible to do with your finger. You need a skinny strong blade.
Use a kitchen knife, a dinner knife, anything like that. The thinner the blade the better.
The worst is when it is a snap back but have pretend nothces for screwing.
I've never been more angry at a 3 minute video. Showing every wrong way before showing a wronger way.
Crazy
WTF, you scratched the back lid at least 10 times! Lucky it was a piece of crap watch. Don't do this with your expensive gold watch.
Thank you!