how do I remove the back off a watch?

send the watch into Timetrackservices they can sort this for you also see there website for ben sherman watch straps etc tel 0121 436 1397

timetrack manager
January 2013

" Go to Harbor Freight Tool Company on-line and "BUY" a watch back removel tool for $10!!! This item comes with a package of assorted hardened tips and an ajustable hand tool for easy removel of screw type watch backs. This tool uses 3 matching tips for the proper watch screw back... its tips are located at 10 oclock, 2 oclock and 6 oclock positions and all are easy ajusted via thumbwheel and handle spinners for all types of different screw back watches, automatic or qaurtz! Why butcher your watch back or HANDS with SCISSORS...Oye!!!

Mr.Bill Knows!
July 2011

the scissor idea works for notched watches...the end of the blades into two opposing notches then turn counter clockwise

Phil
June 2011

Vice suggestion worked like a charm. I used a c-clamp with a towel and the back popped back in nicely with no damage to the watch. I also placed a quarter between the c-clamp and the towel to spread out the pressure of the clamp on the face of the watch.

Thanks very much!!!

jmb
February 2011

Just tried the vice trick, and guess what......?

The glass face shattered, thanks very much

pee'd off
February 2011

right on with the vice grip tip....my husband gave up and when I said I was going to "google" how to get my watch back on again he laughed at me! I told him I'd get my answer and fix my watch, just wait and see! I used the vise grips.... HIS vice grips...with a towel protecting my watch, and it popped right back on. He couldn't believe it.... I never give up...thanks for the tip!
The suprised look on his face was worth more than the watch!!!

Kim E.
October 2010

Hello Scott,
If you have many watches like I have It would be to your benefit to purchase a watch repair kit.I have an Invicta repair kit that I bought from ShopNBC for about $90.00.I have changed many batteries from numberous
types/brands of watches with it.It came with everything you will need to get the job done.I also
have a Croton repair kit that I won the bid on from UBid.com.They have these kits all the time.Take a look
at UBid,you might get lucky with your bid,I got mine cheap! Most of the press on backs are really hard to get off w/o scratching the back up badly or stabbing yourself. So do yourself a favor and put on a good glove before you start because take it from me, stabbing your hand HURTS! To get the back on I have only had to have a watch press only 1 time to reinstall the back in it's place. I can usually push it back in with my strong fingers or tape up the jaws of a pair of pliers. Make sure that you mark the back with a Sharpie marker at the stem so you clock the back right. The back will have a cut out for the stem placement but sometimes it's hard to see it because the cut out will be on the inner lip of the back so when you lay it in it's place to push it back down in the case it is hard to see. Also,if the watch has subdails you will have to line up more than the main stem. Subdials will have stems for all the push buttons to.There also will be a plastic centering piece inside the watch so mark it to so it goes back in the same position because it will have slots cut in it for the clearance for the main stem and subdial button stems.
I am an auto tech so I turn nuts and bolts every day all day. My hands are very strong that is why I have no problems pushing the watch back into it's proper placement. Most of the backs I can hear them pop back in when I push them down. Just take your time and look at it good before you start. Mark the clock of the pieces so everything goes back in it's proper place and you won't have any problems with your watch.

061690magron
September 2010

place the watch into a vice or vice-grips and tighten slightly. If back does not pop off, increase vice pressure until the watch starts to crumple and keep tightening the stupid thing untill its flying all over the damn room. Then take a sledge hammer and & % ** $# !!!

beegee
August 2010

if its a notched back then yes it has to be screwed anti-clockwise, but no need for a special tool, i found if you use a pair of scissors (ones with pointed tips, works best) in similar fashion to using a pair of chop sticks you will be able to unscrew back off.....

Da Fixer
April 2010

pry it off on the lip of the back of ur watch!

HOLTZY
December 2009

Mike, your tip about a vice was spot on!. I used a C-Clamp and the back popped right back on.

Thanks

Rob
June 2009

i am still having great difficulty trying to remove the back could anyone give me a tip on how to remove it????

Old Guy
May 2009

hi my name is peter
my friend give me this watch
but i do not know how to open the
back of it please help me
thank you

peter nicholas
May 2009

If it's a screw in back (it will have a number of indents around the circular back plate) you'll need a tool to unscrew it. They are available from about 5 pounds. Put "watch back remover" into a search engine to find some.

Matt Dicker
July 2008

Many Timex watches actually have a triangle stamped into the watch "back" that points to the "lip" into which a small screwdriver tip can pry it off. After replacing the battery, it is often necessary to place the watch into a padded vise to protect the crystal and casing from scratches...and then uniformly tighten the vise until the back snaps back into place. (There was no way thumb pressure could have replaced the last Timex I worked on!) If the case posts that hold the watch band pins prevent the vise jaw from contacting the watch back, a small disc (cut from leather, perhaps) can be placed between the vise jaw and watch back. It takes so much force to re-seat some backs, you may feel you are about to crack the crystal or damage the case rim, so be cautious, but firm!

Mike Mathras
February 2008

Andy has given good advice. I find after prying the back off and replacing the battery, it can very difficult to fit the cover back into place, some cheaper watches are easy but this is not always the case. No pun intended

Daniel Tranter
May 2006

IF THE BACK COVER HAS NOTCHES AROUND IT CAN BE REMOVED WITH A SPECIAL TOOL FOR INSERTION INTO THESE NOTCHES AND TURNING IT COUNTER CLOCKWISE. IF IT HAS NO NOTICES THE BACK MUST BE PRIED OFF. LOOK CAREFULLY AROUND THE ENTIRE BACK COVER FOR A VERY SMALL LIP ON THE COVER ITSELF OR MAYBE AN INDENTATION ON THE WATCH CASE. YOU NEED TO INSERT A SMALL SHARP KNIFEBLADE IN THE NOTICE OR UNDER THE LIP AND TWIST UPWARDS. THE BACK COVER SHOULD POP OFF. WARNING-NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND NOT LET THE BLACK SLIP. YOU COULD CUT YOURSELF. YOU MAY ALSO TRY TO USE A SMALL JEWELERS FLATBLADE SCREWDRIVER USING N UPWARDS TWISTING MOTION. ALSO SUGGEST YOU PUT WATCH IN A VISE THAT HAS RUBBERIZED JAWS TO PROTECT THE WATCH HOUSING. TIGHTEN VISE JUST ENOUGH TO HOLD WATCH FIRMLY. TOO MUCH TENSION WILL DAMAGE THE WATCH HOUSING, THE STEM OR ANY BOTTONS. VISE SHOULD NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FOREMENTION ITEMS. IF THE WATCH IS FAIRLY NEW OR EXPENSIVE HAVE THE JEWELER DO IT. ITS NOT WORTH THE EXTRA COST FOR INSTALLTION OF A NEW BATTERY OR WORST YET PERSONAL INJURY. DEPENDING ON THE WATCH, WITH CARE THE BACK SHOULD COME OFF. DONE THIS MAMY TIMES WITH TIMEX AND CASIO.SOMETIME THEY CAN BE REAL DOGS.

ANDY
February 2006