How to Open a Snap Off Watch Back

USE a knife with CAUTION ! Always protect your hand with a leather glove.
Learn More About Opening Watch Backs:blog.esslinger.com/how-to-open...
Learn Watch Repair:blog.esslinger.com/watch-repai...
Buy the tools seen in this video here: www.esslinger.com/watch-back-o...
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Watches can be damaged without proper handling and while the repair you are about to attempt may seem simple, you can easily break or ruin the watch with any small mistake. If you have any doubts about this repair, do not hesitate to take your watch to a professional watchmaker or jeweler..

[@iron6988]

The massive dopamine rush when you open the watch. And the abrupt end of the rush when you find out you don't have the battery 😅

[@samuelmuldoon8054]

0:48 "Be careful not to let the blade slip, because it might scratch the watch case or otherwise damage it or the movement inside." Priorities, priorities. A little scratch on the outside/back of the watch case is not okay; a severed thumb, however, is perfectly fine.

[@gallimead]

'Tis but a scratch..

[@spicydiarrhea5662]

I gave my tissot to the authorized tissot service center watchmaker slipped 3 times scratching the cap every time in the process, dug up a large portion of the metal from the case too clearly cared more about his fingers than my property

[@michael5089]

@@spicydiarrhea5662 😡

[@spicydiarrhea5662]

@@michael5089 my tip is, do repairs yourself - no one will care about your property better than you.

[@michael5089]

@@spicydiarrhea5662 Indeed Spicy Great advice 👍👍

[@MessierM31]

0:49 or maybe instead of only caring about the watch maybe care about your fingers

[@carrite]

Tip: if you don't have a metal watch case opener - or even if you do - a safe and effective alternative is to use a plastic guitar pick, which is softer than the metal so it doesn't scratch and which generates enough leverage to pop open most cases.

[@deorty]

thank you so much omg

[@stevenikazy2943]

Pro tip. Throwing a few picks into my watch kit. Thanks!

[@maggi2536]

Thank you!

[@blackhawk7660]

I did it with my nail in 5 seconds

[@OGslays]

I have 50 dollars watches and this doesn't work at all the back plate is so tight I had to basically hammer a flad head screw driver under the lip and the pressure needed to pop the back off was digging the flat head into the metal of the watch.

[@euan1234]

"If you cannot close the back by pressing it on yourself, you will need additional tools". Said so calmly, yet you can just imagine the frustration. So close, yet so far

[@dowfreak7]

Rammed a knife into my hand repeatedly, trying to pry the back off. Luckily wore a glove after the second attempt. Realized I bought the wrong battery. Bought the right battery today, replaced it, watch is ticking and yeah, guess what, no watch press, so I guess I'll have to find something else now. Edit: Ok, nevermind, I literally just took a big hammer and applied pressure evenly and it worked.

[@Lezas10can]

Hhhhhh

[@klam77]

hell to open; hell to close

[@unboxingpro_Gadgets]

Exactly 🤣

[@SirSalieri]

Totally agreed…. Video is totally uselless, not gonna talk about the case if you dont have this knife, you get into trouble trying to do the same thing with some other kinds of knives and potentially get hurt…….

[@HowTo_Simply]

Thank you kind sir. I was able to replace the battery of my great grandfather’s watch with this video. I appreciate you

[@janboy74]

I took a knife and did the same but then i cut my thumb and all my blood is on the Floor thanks for the warming though 😂

[@Kauffman578]

jackie visser file lawsuit is possible.

[@mantas831]

huanuoya You can't file a lawsuit because there are no official instructions showing how to open up the lid.

[@ednadabbs938]

Thanks I did. It 😀

[@nasa258e]

case knives are not sharp. If you used another knife, that is on you

[@tommak6516]

As long as you do not get too much blood into the movement.

[@user-io5yn2ez5r]

I absoultely LOVE KZbin. It's my go to for everything!

[@Esslinger]

Wear it proud Piper, You did it! Thanks for watching.

[@alsaeijasim]

Great, straight to the point, no special equipment just thi gs lying around the house, thank you l

[@johnlasala4371]

Excellent to the point video. Thanks a bunch.

[@jongillett9243]

Tried EVERY flathead screwdriver in the house. Then watched your vid and used an utterly blunt "butter knife" so I wouldn't cut my hand (as others have!) 2 seconds; done👍🏼😜 Thank you so much for the pro tip.

[@annetawney2408]

I read this comment aloud to my husband and he goes "two seconds, scratched." One more try later and the back popped off. He looked at me and said "put a thumbs up on that comment" lol! Thanks for the advice!

[@jongillett9243]

@@annetawney2408 Yay👍🏼👏🏼 I actually helped when offering advice...wait till I read out loud to my wife 😆😉

[@saulek]

My hands and fingers are sore but it still worked (after 20 minutes of trying) Thanks for the video.

[@dransdell101]

Worked great! Thank you for posting this video! You just saved me a ton of money at the jewelers.

[@logwind]

These things are nightmares. Screw down only from now on.

[@sylviaeverdeen7657]

To get the back on again: a genius commented on another video and said to just use a prescription pill bottle.. I tried it, it worked instantly. I just put a cloth underneath for cushion and a microfiber cloth between the bottle and back of the watch. I barley had to apply any pressure compared to using my hands. (worked for women's fossil watch)

[@todayshorse]

Excellent idea, works perfectly 👍

[@felix_the_tomcat]

Thank you very much, after watching this video I was able to replace the battery myself in under 2 minutes

[@Britts340]

you guys saved my life my watch stopped working cuz it fell in water and I was so scared but it's fixed now and I spent 0 dollars thank uuu

[@kinseylise8595]

This was excellent, thank you for the help!

[@TheSexy1049]

Thanks so much, after weeks with nothing. This worked🙏

[@maggi2536]

Thanks, you just saved my watch! Your video helped!

[@joeygargione4232]

I just used a technique to use my bare hands to close a watch back that probably required a watch press, I laid a cloth down on the table, placed the watch on it, glass down flat, placed by hand in the strap and held onto it as I used the side of my hand to basically slowly hammer-fist the back into the slot. Took a lot of force but eventually it worked! Only recommend doing this if you REALLY can’t be bothered to find a watch press or other tools to help you.

[@charlesford6636]

I used a small jewelers flat tip screwdriver, about the size you would use to tighten eyeglass frame screws, to pry off the back. Worked just fine

[@aleaenn5198]

Success! Thanks for this video and your helpful hints!

[@PpsyP]

Used a knife...took my time...I pryed the back off with minimal pressure! no blood drawn! Thank you!

[@tommak6516]

Be sure to keep the knife away from you throat.

[@HECKAKYH-ADEKBATEH]

Very nice, thank you! Btw, if you are going to replace the battery, remember that Alkaline (LRxxx) is WORSER than Silveroxid (SRxxx, better - more straight current, more capacity), and Silveroxid is WORSER than Quicksilveroxid(even more capacity).

[@blackhawk7660]

*Worse** =D

[@patp8191]

Thanks! Helpful.......took a couple of tries and came right off!

[@BruceHurley]

I found that using a flexible rubber jar opening pad was very helpful in keeping my fingers attached to my hand. When (not if) the blade slipped, I had that layer of protection. It was not easy to get off!

[@danielledawson5702]

Wish I'd known that before I severed mine

[@alikhan-uh3sq]

....THANK YOU, WORKED PERFECTLY!!!

[@lifeisshort.9869]

I miss when KZbin had only these type of videos.

[@_brockn_]

Once again, Power is the answer. 💪🏽

[@woahdursarah]

Helped massively, and pretty easy. Thanks for posting! (though I recommend to use the tip of the knife as for me it had a more secure grip on the little nook.)

[@fougeregarantie6126]

I had a hard time opening it with a oyster opener, but it worked with a little bit of effort. This saved me some money, thank you dudes

[@sydneyrossman1885]

We had a bunch of trouble but all you have to do is push the knife/tool in further. We used a small skewdriver

[@trenellclarke10]

Thanks for the upload!

[@lenschulwitz1934]

Mine didn't have a lip and I opened it without difficulty. Here is what I did: The kind of knife in the video seemed too dangerous, so I used my ever-versatile Tajima utility knife (which is just an extendable razor blade) to slowly and gradually work the tip underneath the surface, moving around the circle of the watch plate, until the tip of the razor could begin to slide underneath the watch plate. Once here, I began to slowly rotate the blade while it was under the watch plate, to pry the watch cover off. Performing this prying slowly, I rotated around the watch cover backing, so as not to break the razor, and continued going in a circle until the plate was sufficiently loosened and came up and off. This technique may take more time than the official technique portrayed in this video, but it seems to me better, because there's much less chance of hurting yourself or the watch plate, especially if you do it slowly without exerting too much pressure and keeping your fingers clear of the razor in case it slips.

[@222Gai]

Brilliant - many thanks!! I'd just about given up as my watch didn't have a notch, either. This did the trick. I haven't seen this recommended anywhere else. I proceeded with extreme caution, protected my hand and wore glasses.

[@sheilajacquet9238]

Work perfectly, thank goodness

[@Martin2001SecondChannel]

Great tutorial, helped me

[@jaylove6722]

Worked for me..Thanks for posting.

[@EF3078]

man thanks for the vid, came in handy when i ran in to this kind of watch.

[@mertbeloglu]

wow this was easier than I thought it'd be. Last time I tried, I cut my hand badly because I hadn't seen this video. Thank you for sharing :)

[@InternDoc_]

This saved my time... Replaced old battery Thanks sir

[@michaellecompte1889]

Thanks. Worked a treat.

[@sadsithalokuge7294]

Thank you ! Very useful

[@charlotte67]

Thank you so much, this helps a lot!!

[@samwahome]

Much Thanks, I now have my watch working again!

[@pipermcmillian5778]

Thanks for uploading! I never had to open my watch back for anything before, so this really helped me make sure I don't accidently break something. (: Batteries are good as new now and I can wear my dad's watch again.

[@MatthewJones-lx3by]

thank you just thank you👏

[@wolfyk95]

Perfect, now I want to know how to remove the movement.

[@yuzurusama]

Thank you for the video, I cannot close the back, and I was afraid, I must make it with the machne, but thanks for the video, I did it myself.

[@oswaldtim12]

Tip for anyone who's struggling to open a watch with a case knife - wriggle the blade into the groove then tap/hit the back of the blade with a heavy spanner or a hammer. Because the blade is tapered it pushes it open without a prying motion. It worked for me anyhow.

[@abdul.arif2000]

But that might damage the insides and ruin the watch

[@pixelanimations7720]

I am struggling to close it lol

[@olovstener618]

Trying to do tumbs up but now my half tumb is on the floor. But the watch is unscratched and the new battery is in place! Success!

[@adonailionfishermen821]

This helped me not lose my mind thank so so so so so much

[@terrymeadows1827]

Thank you. Didn't know about the slot.

[@rbeneveds]

Perfect, thanks!

[@nigchampel6976]

I lost my finger

[@no1aviator]

Use your toe instead

[@datniquardo2693]

Do you need medical assistance? Well congratulations we have your solution!!!

[@mustafanav6970]

NigChampel 😂😂😂😂😂

[@leventemersitz40]

I hope you didnt damage the watch :_D

[@Leib33]

You might have smushed your finger inside the watch. Ways to tell: 1) Blood is oozing out of the watch 2) If watch is well sealed, you might not see blood oozing. If it has been more than a few days a smell of rotting meat might be coming from the watch. 3) The watch case back might not go back on even with a watch case press. See if you lost your finger inside. Best of luck and as always, don't drink and do watch repair.

[@Ninnu_n]

Very useful video! I can't wait to wear my old clock again. I just need to change the battery first...

[@DeltaEchoGolf]

You can use the small screwdriver that come with your home sewing machine or your eyeglass repair kit if you have one.

[@anthonyj9299]

And yet again, KZbin saves the day

[@NigelGriffiths1]

Awesome! Thank you 😊

[@sudeephirushan]

Perfectly worked

[@Esslinger]

Good to hear. Could I ask; What was the problem with it?

[@zacimboden]

Thanks. Worked perfectly for me. I used an X-Acto knife and was very careful, knowing it could slip and go right into my thumb or the blade could break off. I worked it underneath the lip of the back with a sawing motion and gentle but firm pressure. This is harder than it sounds, because you have to hold the watch from it's sides and NOT be resting a finger against the back (which you are trying to move in the opposite direction). But it worked. I'm sorry if this video didn't work for some people but they didn't have to embarrass themselves with churlish, grade-school comments. Why don't they get off their duff, figure out a solution and post it on KZbin themselves?

[@latanyaclark7205]

Easy peasy!!! Thanks!!

[@marthaspalding5534]

It worked for me. I didn't have a knife at my office so I used a boxcutter. I put a stapler on the watch to hold it down so that if the cutter slipped I would still have my fingers. All good.

[@wesleysmith9997]

I have 2 watches with snap off backs but neither have indents that I can find. I have tried most things to pry off the backs but cannot get them apart.both good watches so do not want to damage the front glass nor throw them away.

[@tchern75]

I tried till my fingers and hands are sore and it doesn't move a micron. Decided to throw it away.

[@TheAbaker87]

Peep smart

[@serefberktosun]

Thank you.

[@kenw9681]

I was able to pry the snap-off back off of my Timex Indiglo wristwatch for the first time tonight, with the tip of a blade in a utility knife. This can be dangerous though, as this very thin razor sharp blade can break or cause cuts, if it isn't handled carefully.

[@fusionspace175]

Worked for me, thanks. But I love the other people's snarky comments too.

[@Piecjag]

Worked, thanks.

[@seifseif1077]

Thank you

[@lukejanis2016]

Watch companies have got to make this easier.

[@MsShanarun]

Thank you!

[@heatherlawles9145]

Thank you for the perfect instructions! I was going to the mall and paying 10$ before 😊

[@milk5635]

Heather Lawles, HOW?

[@milk5635]

I cant get it off

[@mollyparrish2237]

$10 ????? It’s now $15

[@Tato_Vazquez]

Thank you sir

[@buzzufy]

Great info

[@HentzDude]

Make sure the knife is very sharp so its easier to open, but double check to not damage your fingers

[@mine-ht4vb]

it worked! thnk you 😊

[@user-sk4zh3gl1g]

wow it works. thanks alot

[@jeanninecathcart627]

I used a permanent Sharpie marker to make a tiny mark on the back of the watch where the 2 parts line-up so that I could line them up to close the back after I replaced the battery. The mark wont show from the front when you wear the watch, and it will help the next time you want to replace the battery again. Then I dropped the battery and it bounced under the kitchen stove out of reach. So much for that! 🙄

[@Divinesoull1111]

Thankyou so much sir 😢❤❤

[@jovicrazed]

My watch is totally flat on the back and does not have a little notch like yours does where you put the knife in. I cannot for the lift of me figure out how to change the battery. So maddening! I'd be so grateful for any suggestions you may have. Thanks!

[@Esslinger]

jovicrazed Not all watches open from the back. Sometimes there is a special opener required. Read more here blog.esslinger.com/how-to-open-a-watch-back/

[@jovicrazed]

Esslinger.com Thanks so much for answering so quickly! I'm going to take it in to a watch repair shop as I don't want to end up damaging it.

[@ivan_navidoo]

Good content! 👍👍

[@pincheguerro]

my second hand fell off of my watch any tutorials on how to replace it? it-s just a simple timex battery watch.......

[@gygamy]

Thanks you

[@monikamera9747]

Thank you so much

[@sahrul1409]

Thx for your share this tutor...

[@Options4Options]

Thanks.

[@mbadkins6648]

If you can’t close it take the handle of w wooden spatula and lay across the back of the watch so it’s an even press and just apply body weight

[@theblackshadow3694]

I try it and it was a nice idea

[@integrationofmanandmachine4714]

i am about to visit asslinger website but it is not related to this video?

[@brandlessheadphones]

Thank you!!

[@anwaranwiro922]

thank you

[@forloop7713]

instruction unclear accidentally cut my watch in half

[@michaellent1089]

I am sorry

[@zunairwithsupergaming]

Thanks

[@maldipvikma6994]

ty for help

[@alastrim2978]

My snap off back is very tight and the lip is extremely tiny. Will a generic watch bench knife (cheaply sold online) or other generic tool (screwdriver) make it? What can go wrong?

[@Lifeisfun84]

It worked.... Thanks

[@twade909]

thankyou-success 😊

[@pjhauser]

Great tip on the watch press. I didn’t have one so I used a C clamp that had plastic over the contact surfaces. It covered the glass completely to allow even pressure. Gently tightened it and the back snapped right on. Thanks for making and sharing this video.

[@sceptickle]

C-clamp worked well for me on my Seconda watch. However, I used a socket (27mm) with the exact diameter of the watch back (from a socket wrench set) between the watch back and the clamp jaw so as to apply pressure on just the rim. A bit awkward to assemble and hold but back just snapped into place (listen for the click). Also, my watch had a tiny notch on the inside rim that had to be alligned with the winder, so watch out for that!

[@donb1183]

Thanks for this tip