What case opener?

[nikaiyo2]

I have never tried to open a watch before, but I have one that needs a battery change and want to give it a go.
Will this kit do the trick? Or would one of the ball things be better?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-pcs-Watch-Repair-Too...

[mickyh7]

Balls are ok if the back is not too tight.
You really need a 3 pin adjustable opener.
Not to expensive on ebay.
The link is for a 'Blade Opener' which is for a click/pop close open back. And also a 2 pin opener.
Yours looks like an Omega type screw down back.

Edited by mickyh7 on Saturday 2nd May 22:51

[bristolbaron]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281566658275

[Dolf Stoppard]

bristolbaron said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281566658275

If it's a decent watch, buy a decent case opener. I think the sets with everything in them are ok for cheap watches and a play, but the quality can be very mixed.

£15 for a Bergen screwdriver seems a lot, but when you're adjusting the bracket on an £8k watch it does make sense.

[Mr Pointy]

Just be careful with the three pronged Jaxa style openers as it's all too easy to leave horrible scratches if the tool slips. You need a lot of downward pressure to make sure it doesn't slip.

[Doofus]

nikaiyo2 said:

I have never tried to open a watch before, but I have one that needs a battery change and want to give it a go.
Will this kit do the trick? Or would one of the ball things be better?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-pcs-Watch-Repair-Too...

That isn't worth the money. Trust me, I bought one.

The case opener slips; the moving pin can't be secured tightly enough. The knife is made of really soft metal, and bends before the caseback pops off. The pin tools all bend too.

[mickyh7]

As the saying goes
'Buy Sh ite, Buy Twice'.

[Doofus]

mickyh7 said:

As the saying goes
'Buy Sh ite, Buy Twice'.

I bought it about ten years ago, to change the battery in a quartz. I only needed the case tool and that kit was the cheapest way of buying one. Took the watch to a chap in the market in the end.

The pin tools aren't very strong, and they're too thick to fit in the spring bar holes.

[mickyh7]

Doofus said:

I bought it about ten years ago, to change the battery in a quartz. I only needed the case tool and that kit was the cheapest way of buying one. Took the watch to a chap in the market in the end.

The pin tools aren't very strong, and they're too thick to fit in the spring bar holes.

I've done the same, but over the years replaced with quality tools as my watches have become more expensive! As said I dont want to mark the back of a 5k watch.

[nikaiyo2]

Tbh it’s not a really expensive watch, but I don’t want to risk screwing it up. I have no real desire to open expensive watches on a regular basis

The Bergeron case openers are £170, so I think I will just get it done once the shops are open.

[Doofus]

mickyh7 said:

I've done the same, but over the years replaced with quality tools as my watches have become more expensive! As said I dont want to mark the back of a 5k watch.

I have no reason to open the backs of my autos

[mickyh7]

Doofus said:

I have no reason to open the backs of my autos

Maybe Watch Repair and Refurbishment is not one of your Hobbys.

[Doofus]

mickyh7 said:

Doofus said:

I have no reason to open the backs of my autos

Maybe Watch Repair and Refurbishment is not one of your Hobbys.

It's not. If one of my automatics needs servicing, I give it to a professional. I did just change the strap and battery on one of my wife's watches though.

[irc]

I have just successfuly regulated a Vostok I bought which was runinng 70s a day fast. Secured the watch in a case holder bolted to my shed worktop. Removed the snap on caseback with a removal knife and a tiny tap with a hammer. Using a toothpick I pushed the regulating lever the smallest amount I could manage then timed the watch over 24hrs. Now accurate to 12s a day. That is fine for a watch where the second hand doesn't hack so isn't set exactly anyway. I ad expcted to take 2 or 3 goes to get it within an acceptable plus/minus 20s a day. Beginners luck?

Tools used were

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01GPCIQQ6/ref...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07N8TYH54/ref...

A tool similar to this. Mine was on Ebay but the listing has been removed..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NUOLUX-Watch-Opener-Repai...

I found a case holder capable of being bolted down made all the difference leaving both hands free to work on the watch. So while mine was a snap on case I would say using a good case holder would make getting a screw on case off easier as well.

Edited by irc on Sunday 10th May 20:52