How to remove the back of a watch - Watch and Learn #22
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- In today's episode of Watch and Learn, we will show you how to remove the caseback from your watch. We cover the 3 major types; individual screws, solid screwdown and the snap/pop back. The reason for opening your watch could be to change a battery, or regulation, or even some other maintenance.
With a few inexpensive tools, removing the back of a watch is quite simple and hopefully you can save yourself a few dollars when you need to do your next battery change.
Please visit us at www.longisland...
For a link to some of the tools shown here, please visit:
www.longisland...
Now, I'm fully trained and YT certified. I've got a similar tool kit with lots of extra spare parts off Amazon a few years ago. Makes battery replacement much easier and enjoyable.
And you save lots of money
almost gave up till I watched your video, push down hard, and slightly turn, very good picture in slow motion. I got my wife's very small bulova back off! 379 battery. much appreciated
Thanks for all you do in your chosen field. I'm a tinkerer,aggravating and enjoyful at the sametime. Again, I really appreciate your videos. Thanks soooo much.
Worked! Thank you, my 87 yr old Dad was heart broken this worked changing battery and the pill top to close worked perfect, thx again Dad is a happy pops again ⌚👍
Was having difficulty removing the back of my old Timex using a tiny blade screwdriver. When I saw Mark using his special knife approach the case sideways I pulled out my old small Buck knife and held it that way and it popped right out. I couldn't find an indent on my case cover so this worked quite well. I had to push really hard to get the cover back on right, but it doesn't look as tight as it was. Anyway, thanks Mark for your clear instructions!
I had six watches with dead batteries but the sixth one is just too difficult. This blog helped me a lot. Wish me luck with this sixth and last. It’s hard.
Is it worth trying at home. I'm no pro and don't want to mess up my watch. But the guy at the store wants $10 and that's excessive for just a battery.
Thanks for this video. I had been trying for days to get my snap watch back off! After watching your video, I knew what to look for. It came off soooooo easy with very little effort!
OMG Thank you! I have a lot of watches, most not worth much but are fun. Having to pay someone to replace a battery is a continuing cost, so being able to do it myself is wonderful. Your video is v clear and I love that you are an enthusiastic amateur with a real love of nice watches.
I just took out the back of the watch to replace the battery and I've never felt so powerful
I learn something from every single one of the watch and learn videos. Thanks for making them. As a side note, I love that orient watch. I know that it isn't anything "special", but it really appeals to me.
Thank you
Thank you for this. I was going to try to open mine, but you convinced me to go to a professional!
great video mark, ive just received my watch repair kit. you learn so much from these videos and get to know what each item does in the watch repair kit... thanks mark for another great video..
I just got one too-the kit is so cool
Great voice, and presentation! My not being a professional watch repairer, have enjoyed, first, the theory associated with various watches, the application, and then how to remove the back of certain watches. I have a specialty working on delicate implements requiring special tools. Utilizing an improper device, that is one designed to carry out its function, will more than likely ruin the intended use. Even if a screw is scratched or dented can cause that device to go down in value. Creating damage that was not there previously is never good at all. My hat is off to you "Mr. Long Island." I am interested in knowing of the other watch repairers kit you had mentioned but did not show it in the video. Many thanks. Semper Fi
You do know that 99% of people who owns watches don't have these tools, most just have a pocket knife or screwdrivers, but the video was very helpful I got 2 out of 3 watches open because of this video.
Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! This is a fantastic series and I continue to be thankful for this great service you provide for free to the watch community.
Oh yeah, I bought an SKX007 from you last month because I wanted to show my appreciation as a customer as well. :)
Lee K what a grateful human being
I appreciate that.
I did too, but an SKX009 ;)
“So, you’re doing what you have to do, you’re regulating it, you’re ruining your watch forever; whatever you feel like doing “, lol!Keep the videos coming Mark...love them.
What is a press?
I had a broken Cheap Chinese Automatic Watch, I man handled it open. However this is very informative and wish I had watched this first. Nice video.
Knowing is half the battle!
Thank you for some great information! I liked the idea of the 'watch ball' to remove the back of my Seiko watch, but , not having one I had to improvise. I found a wad of 'poster putty' on the bottom of an empty prescription pill bottle worked just as well. Again, thanks for a great series of videos.
Gr4f3es322eee GB s wfw2 qq3qqqqqqqqqqq
What is poster putty and is this at bottom of prescription bottle?
Your videos are incredibly helpful. Please keep sharing such valuable content. Thank you!
Great vid, thanks for the info. I did learn a little trick to snap the back on if it's stubborn and you don't have a press. Right now im trying to get one off that someone else pretty much wore off that little notch and scratched the heck out of it in the process.
I forgot about that little notch. It made it so simple the 1st try; Thanks for your video.
Thank you very much for your help!!! I was having some problem removing the back of a watch because the blade kept messing up the until I found your instruction. What did the trick was the way you mention on how to sharpen it. Thin enough to fit but thick enough so that it won't bend or chip.
Thank you! Such great timing because I need to change my watch's battery.
Perfect!
Hehe... great ... timing..
Thank you. I just got some tools from amazon. I wanted to know how to use them and this helped.
I just got my watch press and cracked the glass already😢
@@RealGoneDame Oh god. Listen, take it to a watchmaker. Don't do anything else.
Very useful information for replacing battery in the watch!
It shows you care about watches and how to do things right. Your video let me change the battery in a Fossil watch. What worked for me, was after seeing the ball you have is a cut off section of a silicone tube ( gun style) that had dried out a long time ago. The silicone tube section really grips the watch back and let me turn it without tools.
Check your wrench. One of the bits is turned wrong. Just fyi. Someone else may have said the same thing, but I didn't read all the posts just watched the video. These videos are great, really helpful or we wouldn't be watching them :)
Thank you for this video, it teaches me a lot,To God be the Glory. Stay safe bro.
This video is full of information useful to me. Thank you. What is the maximum size watch the Jaxa tool you show can handle?
Oh and that yacht master is absolutely stunning!
Thanks!
"So you do what you gotta do, you're regulating it, you're ruining your watch forever, whatever you feel like doing..." luvs it lol
How is he ruining it? The strap was broken. He had to put a new 1 on.
Thanks, Mark. Very useful and informative. A quick question: anything particular one should use (or avoid!) in cleaning the case back?
This is a great series. Thanks for putting these watch and learn videos together. Very informative.
Thank you for watching.
All this is very well and good. The question is, can you hard reset an apple watch 6 series without any passwords or apple ID??
Anyone can change batteries. Are those watches for sale, and do they come in mens?
Thanks for the video!!
That ball is great. Got the rest and practiced on a cheap watch. The screwback with undeep slots was really tricky. Easy to damage when you slip
for pop-back, small screwdriver, nor a knife worked for me. i ended up using a pizza cutter/wheel. nice and big to hold onto, sharp enough to fit under the lip and broad enough to pop it.
to put it back, i used a small 1x3 length of pine as a press. glass down on a glove and even, gradual pressure down till it popped in. use your own judgement on if you want to put your glass face down. mine glass is flush, maybe slightly recessed.
"diametrically opposite of each other" spoken like a true engineer, love it!
I have a Zodiac Sea Chron . And I need a die to remove the case back . Any thoughts on how to remove the back without going for a die I'll possibly only use once ? And if not where can I find the die ?
If you want to be in the know & how to use the tools to do the job this video is the go , learn how to inspect your time machines ,and not destroy the gasket etc another excellent example of how to do it right at home. Fantastic Mark 👏👍⌚⌚⌚⌚⌚ five watch star's.
Thanks guy u just saved me a lot of time and money!!!
Cannot find link to that rubber like blue ball tool you used to remove back cover?
I have three Michael kors watches with notches in the screw casing that are very shallow. I originally bought a tool to open them but not the spanner kind this one just has two movable parts to lock into the notches to open the back up. It has failed and infact it broke with the pressure I was applying to try and open the back of one. I have applied ice cubes to the cases to try and get them to budge as this worked on a previous watch but these just wont open. Have you any tricks of the trade that you use with backs like these? TIA
i have a breitling navitimer 1884 need battery replacement and clean up. i have been looking around for a dealer but i live in long island and it seens like the only dealer is in the city.. if you know some where in long island please let me know.
what kind of battery does the watch take? nixon ss corporal
@12:43 I happen to have four screws on my Micheal Kors watch (MK 8316) and I got 3 out but one of them is now stripped. I can't get it out with nothing. Am stuck. With covid-19 around I can't take it to the repair shop. I just wanted to change out the battery which I bought. Any advice?
Easy hack to replace a snap-back without a press: Find a plastic cap from a bottle of water or soda of a diameter to just slightly smaller than the back. Lay it on, and press with your thumb. The cap will apply equal pressure all around the case back and easily snap it back on.
@Mrry W. I just got tired of hurting my thumbs. You're very kind. Have a pleasant evening.
Hi Mark, I have a mens Timex and I can't tell which back I have. It's a round flat back, no screws, couldn't see any notches. How do I get the back off a Timex? Thanks. My first Timex lasted from about age 17 to 65. I'm on my second one 🙂
What about using a silicone sealer on the gasket; will it make it re-water resistant?
Your video are on watches are so in lightning have learned so much thank you .....
Rocky T learn to spell enlightening!
ive got a Hugo Boss watch with a clip off back ive got all the towls you have in the vidio apart from the 3 point one i like the watch but the battery has gone and i carnt get it off help ? Please
Thank you! After two videos that failed to help me, this one was near-perfect! However, what if the pop back doesn't open with the red dull knife? What tool do I use for that?
Never mind, I've just put a little bit more force with my hand holding the dull knife and it popped open! Thanks again!
When the cover does not go by a thumb pushing it required another sound-science solution: place the cover in the freeze for a few minutes in order to contract the circumference and then it will go by an easy push.
That ball idea is amazing! I didnt have a ball but latex glove works amazingly at generating friction.
Or you can use a "Scotch Brite" lint roller. I just tested it and it works.
On case replacement. If you backspin the backplate SLOWLY anti-clockwise until you feel/hear the threads CLICK that's the beginnings of the threads only just passing each other and normally if you carefully reverse the rotation, the thread will engage smoothly without getting crossed up.
I have a Mac Jacob. I undo the strap to install new battery but can not snap it back on no matter how hard I tried. It has the matching slot to open and to put back on but it won’t snap. Do you have any recommendations??😊
Special thanks for the trick with the ball
I'm glad I found this but the watches I'm trying to do this on (two of my wife's) snap into place and I'm not seeing a groove on one, not sure if I'm seeing a groove on the other. Getting under the groove? You were using a scalpel. Any other suggestions? Sharp kitchen knife not working.
Take off the strap; sometimes its hidden there.
How about sizing a gasket for the back of the watch? Does it fit on the lid or on the watch itself?
Boy that Yacht Master is beautiful !!! Great video Marc !!
Thank you!
does that "clam knife" tool work for very thin women's watches. I'm having a difficult time removing my watch back. I bought a repair kit but the knife seems to be to large to fit into the notch. Any ideas?
Curious about something i saw once, it was a sponge with 'something' on it to apply on the gasket.
Fascinating. Really! Also enjoyed your chat with Tristan (TGV).
I did not see a battery in the last watch . how does it work ?
I have changed my variety of watch batteries for several versions of watch without trouble. But I have a mystery watch. Bought maybe 20 years ago, it is a ring watch. It has a huge synthetic sapphire and a cover that opens like a book to read the watch time. It has a stretchy metal band to adjust to fit. The metal battery cover plate is a "pop off". I can pop it on one side but only lift about 4 mm. The trouble is both sides where the metal band attach will not allow me to remove the plate to get at the battery. It lifts using a flat screwdriver. I am searching for videos for ring watch plate removal. I have even used a magnifier to see if there is something you push that lets go of the band.
where did you get that black 3 point tool
The battery for my Tudor Prince Quartz needs to be replaced, and being charged £80.00 for the privilege is something I find frankly obscene...This video is a great step forward to solving a rather expensive problem..Thank you Mark....I will look into obtaining a Rolex opening tool for this task.
Thanks! The tool will last forever.
Thanks, Mark, very informative 🙂
Remember that God loves you Mark 🙂
Love your thoroughness. Thanks.
Is funny when you have the right tools.
Thank you, it is very useful, well explained. You made it very simple.
What a great channel. Unfortunately, as I was trying to unscrew the phillips screw, it stripped from the back of a watch. Are you able to show a video on how to remove a stripped watch screw from a watch back?
You really can't.
Thanks learn a lot from your video.
How about a screw that may be stripped ? Any way to get it out ?
TY Marc for sharing your knowledge with us in a low key way !!!
I just stabbed my thumb with a pocket knife trying to get to the battery! Ouch. Needed this tutorial for sure.
I can't find your video that you mention on using a 'press' to put back a 'pressure pop' back. Please can you point me in the right direction? thanks
Do you have any recomendations for one of the old style quartz pop backs? The ledge is soooo fine, that its really hard to find anything that will get under and pop off.
It is probably a screw off type if it doesn't have any spot to pop it off at.
Do you sell the three prong wrench by itself and not in a tool case?
Will the back case fit back, if the o ring gasket is not placed right or is removed?
Very nice I am watch repairing thanks for the great
Just wanted to drop in real quick and let u know I got an islander dive the white with blue bezel. It's so cute and the only bright sky blue watch on the market at least affordable ones
You did better among all i search
But
You are required to show the tips for closing these things as well
I mean how to push the spring into the chain
Thnx anyway
On my TImex Snap-Back I've learned (the hard way) to find something that fits perfectly around the outside of the ring for the snap-back. I tried to put it on with my fingers once, BENT the back, and broke the beeper that sits on the inside of the back of the case.
With my Timex (Expedition dual display real nerdy I know but I love it) you have to put the back on a certain way or the beeper won't work: there's a tiny triangle pointing towards the upper right (2 o' clock position if it had been the front of the watch), which is also where the part of case is you need to pry on to get the case back off. If this watch back isn't put on straight the watch will not beep. Just FYI.
I do have a ball to open a watch, but, every time use it the air comes out even when I use a new ball. as soon I put any pressure on it and I do not know how to get the air back into it. I bought two balls an both of them gives the same problem.
Thank you. It helped to change batteries for few of our watches.
Thanks Mark. I've got a Seiko Type II and can't for the life of me find the spot to slip a blade in to pop it open. I'll have to remove the strap again and have another look.
Another great video. I like the Seiko diver's watch. Good video shows how to take the backs off of most watches. There are a few watch backs that are kinda rare. Some Benrus Swiss Army have some odd backs and of course Rolex. I like this video it covers nearly every watch back style a regular guy will ever come across. Another good video.
Help, I removed the screw down back cover on my Bulova automatic watch. I looked inside to verify the mainspring wasn't broken, and the flywheel was free spinning. I screwed the cover back on. Problem, now I notice that the inside of the watch is loose, and I can see it moving when I adjust the time.
What did I do or move inside? I didn't see anything fall out. How can I fix this?
So how do you get the back off the rollex if you don't have that very expensive tool ?
I love learning new words that leave an engineer's mouth! Diametrically opposite is better than straight across by far! Now? To use that over beers. (Hell...that'll turn a German into an American.) Lol Great content!
Mark, Do you ever help someone get a watch. I would like a dive watch. Thanks
Hi Mark, nice instructional vid. May I know what jaxa wrench that you used in the vid, and where I can get one? Thanks
Can you advise me on a tool to open 50mm or more screw watch backs. I have invictas.
Happened to me few months ago opened a Watch with a snap/pop back. Putting back was really hard. Ended up going to a watch repair who happened to have a press. These are the easiest to open but the hardest to put back.
Right. Easy off, hard to get back on!
Merci j'ai appris qq chose de très intéressant.
The ball is amazing, I finally bought one, and used it a few days ago, wow.
Marc, you are funnier than you get credit for ...
[1:17] ".... who don't wear their watches, because they are safe queens"
[17:22] "you are regulating it, you're ruining your watch forever, whatever you feel like doing"
Haha, thank you. At least someone appreciates my humor :)
who makes the black watch case remover?
Old video but still good 🙌🏻 cheers for the help
So, without a spanner wrench handy, is it a bad idea to use a mini flathead to open since it's only one point of contact (not counting resistance from other hand when holding the watch in place)?
Yes, considering you have a high chance of slipping and scratching the watch, or breaking skin.
This case bace opener which one is good ? 2 contact or 3 contact ?