How to Open a Snap Off Case Back
Opening a watch back is pretty easy, you just need to identify what kind of watch case back you have and then get the right tools to open it. In this article, we will be addressing how to open a snap off case back. You can tell that a watch case back is a snap off by looking at the back: if it has a small gap or indentation in the case back where a pry tool could fit in between the back and the case, that is a strong indication it is a snap off case back watch.
Tools Needed:
- A Watch Case Knife or a Bench Knife
- Optional: Magnifier or Eye Loupe
- Optional: Case Holder
Step 1
Before you start, you may need to remove the watch band so that your tools can fit on the watch back. Read this article on How to Remove your Watch Band for help.
Step 2
Take the watch case in your hand and find the notch or tab that will help you pry the back off. It may just be a slight cut or indentation so you might want to use an eye loupe or other magnifier to help you find it.
Step 3
Once you have identified the indent or tab, turn the watch case so it will be easily accessible and slide your bench knife’s blade under the tab with your other hand.
Step 4
Once the blade is in place, use it like a lever to pop the back open. Gently push the handle away from the watch back by slightly twisting your wrist away from the case back. Use a little downward pressure to help you get
under the watch case tab.
Be careful not to let the blade slip because it could damage the watch or cut your hand.
Finished
With your efforts, the back should easily pop off the watch, and when it does you can lift it off with your fingers. Now you are ready work on the inside of the watch. When your repair work is completed, check out How to Close a Snap Off Case Back to close the watch.
10 Comments
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June 2, 2016 at 10:35 am – Reply
good! what if i dont have “notch or tab”? THANKX
June 2, 2016 at 1:42 pm – Reply
If there is no indication of these, it could be another design that is opened by a different method. There are many mechanical ways that watch backs are designed to open.
June 2, 2016 at 2:13 pm – Reply
ok, thanks but e.g. what? 😀
November 10, 2018 at 8:53 am – Reply
I tired this on many watches, usually with ease and no problems,
But on Chinese GuanQin watches the watch back is oressed in with insane force.
On one watch the first knife blade broke in full length when trying to pry the watch open.
Needless to say the lid would not want to be pressed back in place after reparing the watch.
I tried all known tricks, including freezing the lid down to -20C to shrink it . it would not snap back in place.
When eventually using a press tool the front crystal shattered due to the extreme forces needed.
Currently I am facing the very same situation once more, again on a Chinese mechanical GuanQin watch.
Not sure what trickery they use on their cases. Unfortunately these watches are about the worst when it comes to misaligned hour/minute hands and horrible speed adjustment by the factory, so they MUST be opened.
I never saw the advantage of pressed backs over screw backs – the latter can be easily handled. and create a good controllable pressure on the seal for water resistance.
August 24, 2020 at 3:35 pm – Reply
I bought a guess chrono with a snap back. Battery died and I tried getting the back off. No luck. took it to an accredited Horologist who said he would use a guillotine to get it off. He could not get it off. I tried everything to get it off ,but I could not shift it. I got a small hammer and thin screwdriver and whacked it. It came off with out damaging the watch. Replaced battery and then tried getting it back on, using a watch case press. No luck. I then dremeled some grooves in the back case ,to ease it in. No Luck. Ground down the inner ridge to try and get a better fit. No Luck. I pressed it down and it caught, but was raised on one side. Got the hammer, put watch on fleshy bit of my knee and hammered it. Case back on, and a few scratches on back. Thats the last guess watch with a snapback I buy !
November 4, 2020 at 10:39 am – Reply
I had a very similar thing happen with a Timex! That thing had me so frustrated it nearly took a swim in the river. Never again!
December 9, 2021 at 4:17 pm – Reply
For those having trouble putting the back of a less valuable watch on using other methods, a last resort that works well is using a c-clamp (very cheap ones for a couple of bucks are available at stores like Harbor Freight, Walmart, etc.). After having significant trouble with my old watch, I was able to press the back on quite easily with a c-clamp from my toolbox, but just be sure to pad both sides of the watch with folded pieces of paper towels or a cloth so it is well protected from getting scratched. I wouldn’t recommend this for an expensive watch, but mine was a worthless old one.
August 15, 2022 at 2:28 am – Reply
I been searching for how to open a Seiko collaboration watch called “Wired” it’s a Seiko chronograph. The back is smooth and I can’t find a notch. YouTube is of no help.
It’s a 7T92 but I have yet to find anyone opening a Wired watch…and no it’s not a smart watch.