Help me open solid case watch?

mfili98
Posts
22
Likes
2
Hello everyone, I just bought a 14k gold Geneve quartz watch, mainly because I got a good deal on it. The only problem is, the battery died shortly after I got it and upon trying to open the case back to change it, I realized there was no case back 馃槻 Now, I know that the movement must come out through the front (crystal) but I have no idea how to go about removing it and I don't think it wise to go messing around with it blindly 馃榿 Any help would be appreciated.
 
image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg
JimInOz
Posts
17,465
Likes
36,611
It's either lift the crystal, or lift the bezel/crystal combined, or maybe just split the case.

You need to look closely at the sides of the case to see if there are any obvious joins where a blade can be inserted.

But as you said " I have no idea how to go about removing it and I don't think it wise to go messing around with it blindly" so I think it would be a good idea to see a watchmaker who has the tools, knowledge and skills to do the job.
 
WatchWarlock
Posts
307
Likes
230
I'm assuming crown out and crystal out first. Never dared tried since I've seen people botch it and damage the hands/dial on vintage Omegas. Not mall kiosk, but any watchmaker should be able to do it.
 
redpcar
Posts
4,200
Likes
10,033
You changing the battery? Melting it down?
Have you opened a watch before? A closer pic of the crown side would help.
 
vinn2
Posts
441
Likes
65
if you paid a lot for it, no sense i scaring it up or bleeding all over the kitchen table. if its a " cheepie" ; and there is no seam on the back side, its a "front loader". cheers vinn
 
STANDY
Posts
16,853
Likes
47,844
Two choices

A
image.jpeg


Or a
image.jpeg
 
Amadeus
Posts
106
Likes
100
Let's see if I can be of help, firstmost could you show me a profile picture of the case just to be sure? but I think it opens just like you would open an Omega Dynamic.

Take a look at this video:
 
vinn2
Posts
441
Likes
65
i could not open the video, no problem, i have opened a few. just don't get any blood on the work bench.
 
SpeedyPhill
Posts
6,700
Likes
12,318
Watchmaker with caseback tool/knife would be my prefered option... LOL can't open the video 馃槻
 
Archer
Posts
29,113
Likes
75,239
SpeedyPhill SpeedyPhill
Watchmaker with caseback tool/knife would be my prefered option... LOL can't open the video 馃槻

You can't remove the case back on this one...did you read the thread at all?
 
SpeedyPhill
Posts
6,700
Likes
12,318
indeed but I had to type something funny as "unable to open the video" has some hilarious textual link with the topic title 馃榾
 
ChrisN
Posts
2,219
Likes
4,946
Amadeus Amadeus
Take a look at this video:

Poor old thing. Dropped face down onto a cushion after picking up fingerprints on the dial.

U ulackfocus
I know how to solve the problem completely.

8cxrd5Ezi.jpg

Clearly overkill. The @Mad Dog method is much more precise and delicate plus it works with front and rear loaders. Hell, you don't even need to figure out which one it is, just get opening!

Cheers, Chris
 
Archer
Posts
29,113
Likes
75,239
pippy pippy
Here is a link for you. Good luck.

From touching the movement with fingers, to gripping the battery with metal tweezers (shorted it), to forcefully yanking out a stem that is not a split stem, there's awhole lot wrong with how that is done...not a good example to follow at all.
 
pippy
Posts
1,386
Likes
23,149
Did not say it was a good example. Hopefully, they would see that the job should be done by someone with experience and not by someone that was in the process of destroying a watch.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...