Watch case back removal & refitting - tutorial

Watch case back removal & refitting - tutorial

Here’s my tutorial on the first stages of any watch repair from a battery to a movement - removing & refitting the case back!

There are basically 3 types of case back.

1. The press fit

2. The screwed down type

3. The screw fit

This is the basic principle of removing & replacing each

1. The press fit

Removal

There are two ways to remove the press back the case knife & the case opener. The first method tends to be the most common & easiest way but can lead to pit falls of marking the case back or watch if used incorrectly.

The key is to find the tell tail signs for this method to be used, some backs have a little arrow on them showing where to insert the knife

Some have a little lug on the case back, which can be used to lever against & some have a recess in the actual case of the watch itself. Once located its simply a case of levering the back away from the case.

however if you cannot find any obvious marking to place your case knife then you need a case back opener.

This has a fine blade which is placed between the two layers and you screw in the blade & simply lift the blade to pop off the back.

Refitting

Although many case backs will simply push together using your fingers, you always run the risk of the glass breaking through un-even pressure, this is the time to use a press, there are many available first of all line up (if fitted) the recess on the case back, this clears the stem or engraving/writing on the case back (there’s nothing worse than a poorly aligned case back!)

and place the watch in the press & screw down. You get a feel for the amount of pressure needed.

2. The screw down type

Removal

The majority of these backs a square or shaped rather than round, make sure you have a good selection of screw drivers similar to the ones shown and pick the correct size for the screw!

Simply remove each screw & lift of the back.

Refitting

To ensure good water resistance fit all screws and lightly work diagonally to tighten the screws this insures even pressure on the seal.

3. The screw fit type

removal

There is a lot of room for error with the screw fit type of back, its very easy to cause damage to the watch, specifically scratching of the back (shown) & twisting of the case & strap pins through “wringing” them if using the palm of your hand.

Avoid using this method of removal!

So first of all mount the watch in a suitable mount & hold steady in a vice, then use your back opener to simple unscrew the back.

Refitting

It is important to lubricate the seal on a screw type back, this ensures that as the back is screwed against it, it will not be forced out of it recess. You need sealing grease for this.

Tighten the back until it feels tight but should still have a small amount to tighten, this stops the seal from being “squashed” or damaging the thread on the back or case.

Lee

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Nice one Lee,

thanks for that, lots of good tips.

Woody.

this little tool is so much safer to use when removing screw type backs, doesnt work on all of em thou unless im just not using it correctly which is probably about right.

http://www.tickintimeworldofwatchtools. ... -577-p.asp

got one, doesn't work.

Lee

does at least 50% of all the screw backs that ive come into contact with lee, the ones it doesnt do are screwed on really tight, although ive never managed to do a rolex with it. it takes 2 seconds to try with this tool, it does save you time

it takes 2 seconds to try with this tool, it does save you time

Its worth remembering that screw backs are usually on higher pressure resistant type watches. As such always pressure test the watch to the manufacturers tolerances with any tool used to put the back on, especially that one!

Lee

can i charge more for that? ha ha, ok lee ill be a bit more careful, yeeehaa