Watchmaking Tools - Case Back Openers

Case Back openers, a tutorial for watchmakers (hobby watchmakers)
Which to buy and how to use them as a professional watchmaker.
Trust me, there will be some surprises!
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Kalle Slaap, watchmaker in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Specialist in Vintage Watches.
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Tutorial on watch repair by watchmaker Kalle Slaap from Chronoglide, Vintage Watch repair specialists near Amsterdam. Watchmaking documentary.
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[@douglasgilbertson6779]

Recently stumbled onto your videos, and they are superb. Starting my way through the whole series. Thanks! One point about the knife-type openers: You mention that they are bevelled on only one side, but not WHICH side. I happen to be left-handed, and the opener I have has been no end of grief. After watching this video, I had a thought to look around to see what a left-handed opener might look like. I now have one on order. Turns out the bevel is supposed to be on the underside when used by whichever hand, so the one I have been trying (and failing) to make work is in fact for right-handers. Ah...

[@Valery9128]

I have got exclusive knowleg after wathing your vids! Thank you very much!

[@carefulthinking9528]

Local jeweler wanted to charge $180 to change the capacitor/battery on my Citizen watch. For about $50 I got a watch repair kit and the part I needed, and it works! However, there are tools and parts in the kit that are still mysterious to me. Videos like this clear up some of the mystery. Thanks.

[@alexanderevanska4274]

Easiest job in the world to change the capacitor. And cheap! Steer clear of the jeweler.

[@owenlaprath4135]

Thank you for the good tips for screw-down cases! For closing click-on cases, I bought a table-top vertical screw-vice, which came with nylon inserts for different watch sizes. I have seen people use the handheld type, that looks like a big nut-cracker or garlic press, and those are scary! When the case-back pops on, your hand is still squeezing and following down, so you take a chance at squishing a dent into the case-back, or breaking the crystal. With the screw-vice, the pressure is released immediately, when the case-back pops in, and it did not cost more than a hand-held press :).

[@TomRaine]

Thanks so much for making this. Helped me a lot in my work.

[@lumostoria8512]

For opening screw-down case backs, I always try the poor man's friction tool first, the Bergeon 8008 friction ball. For me, works in more than 80% of the cases and only fails if the case back was fastened very tight or is fastened with an extra threaded ring. I also use it to fasten the case back but use a Jaxa-style case opener for the final 30 degrees.

[@carlorobazza7569]

Thanks for the tip of NOT twisting a case knife. That's what I've been doing with little success and too much messing up of the case backs.

[@RandomRestore]

Thank you Kalle, really informativ video! 😊

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Thank you!

[@rockbod]

Hi Kalle, you can see my modification for the Bergeon style tool on my channel. It now does crystal and case snap back installation as well.

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Cool! I Will.

[@guttormurthorfinnsson8758]

I can't save this to may ur list.

[@mojah1]

New to your channel, thanks for sharing 👍

[@oldestpunkinargentina7766]

I just had a misshap with a bolt-on caseback. Took out the screws to change the battery, but the last one got stuck midway and now it wont come off or screw back in😢. Did I damage the thread? What can I do to loosen it? Thanx!

[@oldestpunkinargentina7766]

I placed an Amazon order for the 3-pronged one. Will it fit the caseback of my 50mm Invicta? Thanx!

[@Niak38240]

I hav to try my chance at lottery as my wishlist become longer and more expensive !!! Thank you Kalle for all those tips and thoughts about the tools !

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

LOL ;o)

[@lkazanov]

As is usually with everything, professional tools give professional results.

[@rockymntdan1]

I love the pause: ... perfect tool..... TO MAKE SCRATCHES! lmao

[@marcn8750]

Interesting table tool to open caseback. Can it be adapted to hold a screwdriver head to remove a very tight caseback screw?

[@RocketSailing]

Got very annoyed with my chinesium jaxa style opener. (Sloppy precision) So last week, I got an mks bench opener. Very, very happy with it. My old diver that I really didnt want to scratch. Finally gave away.. same solution as the bergeon. Still, took both hands to break it open. But not a single scratch. One of my best investments so far. (If one cant get it properly open. One cant do much repair)

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Interesting isn't it? So many solutions for the same problem.

[@iuriassumpcao]

Do you know vario “stat 3w case opener”, made by “Swiss Geneva” brand? What you think about the item? Thank you!

[@pacalanew7718]

hello! so the inovative ( spring loaded) click-case opener is from Bergeon brand?

[@kirkaldystaines]

Hi. Informative videos thank you. Do you have a brand/model for the 2 pin opener with the red and black handle? Or a recommendation for a reliable adjustable tool? Thank you.

[@downsouth1678]

It's an horrotec case back opener

[@vayde]

Hello! I was wondering when you started changing the heads, whether this tool could also be used to reattach crystals, with the appropriate attachment dies, replacing the need for a Robur press, for example. What do you think?

[@walnutsandbeastiality866]

I'm not a watchmaker, but I think it also rotates the head, making it not suitable for pressing in crystals

[@equaliser2265]

What about the rubber ball?

[@rubinsteinway]

The tool at 12.51 - where can I get it? I couldn't find it anywhere. thanks

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

It is a Bergeon 6929 case opener, Horotech sells them as well.

[@rubinsteinway]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking Thanks!

[@samhalsey5051]

Will caseback opener work for bezel on seiko?

[@averymountjoy4227]

Would the bergeon 6929 be good for bezel removal?

[@tjelinic]

I noticed that panerai uses driven caseback or some kind of bayonet caseback fore some models. What do think about this kind of casebacks and what tool do you use for them?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

We are fortunate enough to have bought the complete panerai set of openers. Usually the yellow bergeon friction openers (polyurethane the same material of skateboard wheels) will do the trick without leaving scratches. Good luck!

[@jtcustomknives]

What’s your thoughts on the T style Horotec case back opener?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Interesting, I have no experience with that one, do you?

[@yandenuts]

I've always liked the rubber balls, though I guess they do not have the control and torque like the Steel tools. I was ecpecting Calle to mention them

[@gpraceman]

I first try the ball. If that doesn't work, then pull out the caseback opener.

[@ElderPinto254]

hallo kalle ik heb een vraagie over de laatste caseback opener, de caseback opener die je moet drukken.. ik wl deze graag bestellen maar hoe groot is de kans als je deze gebruikt dat je doorschiet , omdat je deze moet drukken tot hij klikt . bedankt !

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Het uitschieten is een stuk minder met deze geveerde versie. Ik vindt 'm heerlijk werken.

[@ElderPinto254]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking thnks kalle dan ga ik over tot bestellen, ik zie jullie de 5de volgende maand

[@rockymntdan1]

why they don't make the tips on the wrench from carbon fiber is beyond me. less scratches

[@Watcheyes]

This series is great with all info about tools etc. But i was thinking, the most important thing is maybe the table and the chair where you work. It can be quite hard to get the right things and if having the wrong workspace some issues with for an example neck, back etc can be very serious. A normal person might not be able to buy a table that is for watchmakers but for my self i bought an electric table, sitting and standing. I saw that IKEA had a very robust electric table (it has 3 stabilizing bars against the flor on both "legs"), i felt this table in the store and it was very robust, no vibrations when shaking it, This table would definitely be suited for watches and for ordinary workspace. My electric table has some vibrations in it when shaking it and i regret this. Just my few cents =)

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

I fully agree, that is so important!

[@WarFreak131]

Hi Kalle. I have two Timex watches that I am having difficulty removing the back. One is a screw off case back, but the holes to fit the wrench into are so small and oddly shaped that I can't fit the wrench pins into. I tried filing down the pins to fit in, but I had to file them down so small, and the case back is on so tight that the pins on the Jaxa tool will bend. The other is a snap off case back, which I normally use my case knife for. Normally on snap back watches there's a dedicated spot that lets you get the knife under the caseback. But with this watch, the dedicated "spot" on the caseback doesn't actually let you get under the caseback. I've tried like crazy, but I cannot get the knife in there. What do you suggest I do?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

They can be very tricky indeed Gregory, i do not have too much experience with exotic Timex watch cases here in The Netherlands. Sorry

[@FOURTEEFIVE]

Super glue the largest nut that you can onto it put it in a vice and unscrew with wrench

[@marcn8750]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking another good video. Thanks. Had a watch where the caseback screw was stuck. Had to drill the head off. The shaft of the screw was stuck in the hole. Had to drill out the shaft of the screw that was stuck in the caseback. Then retap the thread Such a pain. Have you had this situation before?

[@cgnicolis]

@@FOURTEEFIVE degrease case and nut with acetone first for better adhesion.

[@gonzchi]

The only problem with that Bergeon is that it costs like $1000 :-)

[@FOURTEEFIVE]

These tools with the play in the prongs have destroyed my morale and case backs! I am here to be done with these terrible torture devices!

[@tanthiennguyen9308]

Wie kann man sich gut auf der Medizinischen Sprache Refresh haben.....................?

[@alexi2460]

Useless, I bought the kit on Amazon

[@MrRoomba2321]

Interestingly enough, I had the opposite experience with those first two openers. The two sided opener I have has no wiggle at all on it and the three sided opener has an insane amount of wiggle. Although I suppose it really just comes down to machine tolerances and where you buy it. My 3 sided opener I got from a cheap chinese kit and the 2 sided one I got from a plastic blue pouch kit made in india.