Do you want to change your own watch battery? Are you unsure how to go about opening your
watch case? Watch this video from Esslinger.com and learn how you can open and close your
watch back that is held on with screws.
If your watch back has several screws holding the back in place, like this one, this is
the method you will use to open your watch bac k.
The things you'll need to open a watch back with screws are:
A Bench Mat OR a Selvyt cloth A watchmaker's screwdriver
A parts tray A non-magnetic pair of tweezers
Once you have the tools you'll need handy, you'll want to lay the watch out on the
either the selvyt cloth or the bench mat to protect the crystal. Today we will be using
the bench mat to protect the watch.
Make sure that watch case back is easily accessible, you should be able to reach all four screws
with your screwdriver. If you can't, you will need to open the watch band, or even
remove it. For information on how to remove a watch band, check out the links seen here.
Once you can access the screws, you will need to determine what kind of screwdriver you
need -- generally you'll need a phillip's head screwdriver like this one.
Then, test your screwdrivers in the screw until you find one that fits. Be sure to find
a screwdriver that is the right size to avoid stripping the screw head.
Now, holding the watch case steady, insert the screwdriver blade into the screw and begin
to turn it counter-clockwise to loosen the screw. Watchmaker's screwdrivers allow you
to tighten or loosen tiny screws while holding them in place at the same time.
When the screw is almost out, take your tweezers, remove it from the case back, and place it
in your parts tray to keep it from getting lost during the repairs.
Then, move on to the next screw and continue removing them until all the screws are in
your parts tray and the back can be easily lifted off.
Now you are ready to change the battery, for more information on how to change your watch
battery, check out the links seen here for our other articles.
Once you have changed the battery and are ready to close the watch back, you just need
to reverse what you did before. You may need to replace the watch gasket before continuing
- for more information click here.
Place the case back on the watch case, aligning the holes in the back with the holes in the
case.
Then, grab one screw by the head with your non-magnetic tweezers and place it in one
of the screw holes in the case back. Since these screws are generally small, it may take
a couple tries to get it placed properly in the hole.
Always be sure use non-magnetic tweezers when working with small watch parts: they prevent
unwanted electrical charges in the watch movement and they also prevent the screws from sticking
to your tweezers.
When the screw is in place, take your screwdriver and begin to thread it back into place, turning
the screw clockwise. Continue tightening until the screw is mostly screwed in.
Take the next screw and place it diagonally in the case back from the first screw you
replaced. By placing the screws in this manner you ensure that the back sits on the case
perfectly. Tighten the second screw most of the way into place before moving on to the
third screw.
Place last two screws in the remaining slots with your tweezers, tightening them most of
the way into place with your screwdriver.
After you have placed the final screw, return to the first screw and finish tightening it
into position.
Do this for the rest of the screws, always moving on the diagonal. This will keep you
from over tightening the screws and potentially damaging the watch case or the screws themselves.
When you are finished, reset your watch and wear it with pride.
To learn how to open other kinds of watch case backs, visit Esslinger.com's Learning
Center today.