remove case back

[tomsch]

I have a ladies Chopard classic watch that needs a battery changed.  I usually change batteries DIY but have not been able4 to figure out how to remove the case back on this one.  Can anyone help?

[Gpsluvr]

It looks like a friction fit pop off back, with the seam around the center line, split across the stem. You will need to have a new single edged razor blade, preferably in a plastic holder to better handle it. Nothing thicker will do it, you would just bang it all up with a screwdriver bit or any other case back tool. Carefully push it into the gap between case back and main case then try angling the blade up to see if it will start the back coming off. You may need to do it in more than one spot to get it going. Don’t be dismayed if you break pieces off of the blade. Just throw it out and grab another one. Hope this helps. It’s just one of many methods that you will have to learn If you work on enough battery powered watches. Steve


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[tomsch]

there is a slight opening in the center line opposite the stem, at 9 o'clock.  I was able to open that, but that line merely removes the movement, with the back still on it, from the crystal, which remains in the top case.  I think the part that has to be removed is the fine circle that is set in from the edge on the back of the watch.  Is that what you recommend using a razor on?

[watchweasol]

Hi   some all round pictures of the case would help in determining the method         cheers

[Marc]

6 hours ago, tomsch said:

there is a slight opening in the center line opposite the stem, at 9 o'clock.  I was able to open that, but that line merely removes the movement, with the back still on it, from the crystal, which remains in the top case.  I think the part that has to be removed is the fine circle that is set in from the edge on the back of the watch.  Is that what you recommend using a razor on?

Take the top part of the case with crystal off and post some good clear close up pics of the bottom part of the case with the movement stuck in it.

[vinn3]

single edged razor blade (safety razor blade) is a good idea.  tap on it with a jewlers hammer .  less chance of letting blood.   vin

[tomsch]

thank you all for your helpful replies.  Here are pictures, responding to one of the replies, of what I'm dealing with.  separating at the midline removes the movement from the crystal.  The close up of the back shows the disk that has to be removed to access the battery.  There is no opening anywhere along that circle.  I was able to get Chopard to tell me, at least, that it is not a screw on.  Of course they recommend sending it to them for the battery replacement, which I'm sure will cost a couple hundred at least

[Gpsluvr]

Now it looks like you have one where the movement, dial and all is seated in that half of the case. If that is so, you would gently lift up the dial from the 9 area and while turning the crown slowly, see if it doesn’t come out. It will have what is called a split stem, where the stem comes apart via a slot in it. Look up split stems and you will see what I am referring to. Steve


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[watchweasol]

Hi  Thank you for the pics Looking at the stem tube this looks like a front loader with a split stem. The stem is in two halves and clip into one an other.  As Gpsluvr mentioned look up split stems and you will see what we mean.  The idea is that you remove the half with the crown on and the movement should lift out. Removing the stem one needs to be carefull there are various methods to remove the stem but every one of them requires a straight pull. Again look up how to do it.

[tomsch]

Okay thanks again everyone!

[Marc]

As already stated this looks like it may well be a split stem in which case a quick note of caution.....

If you use any thing to lever against the case to remove the outer part of the stem make sure you use something between the case and the lever to protect the case. It can be very easy to mar an otherwise good case if you don't, and as yours looks to be a solid gold case the risk is even higher.

[saswatch88]

i hate split stem cases like this, i would suggest to avoid issues like marring as Marc said, take it to a jeweler and ask them to just remove the movement and thats it, it will cost much less, and then you could do the battery replacement yourself and re-assembling would be much easier than dis assembling.

[tomsch]

progress, thanks to all of you in this forum! It was a split stem, indeed, that had to be pulled out with scary force.  Now to the next step - energizer 341, and see if I can get get the stem back together.  

[watchweasol]

Hi  Just for interest what is the make of the movement and its caliber number,  I cannot make it out ,  Well done for getting this far.   Has this adventure fired your enthusiasm ?

[tomsch]

watchweasel, yes I'm having fun with it.  Polishing up the case while waiting for the $1.00 battery from Amazon.  
Make: Chopard

Numbers on the back: 340677 and beneath that number, 4103

Inside the case back there are a number of stamps and etchings, including:
LUC (stamped) which Chopard says designates their highest quality in-house work, made only at two locations in Switzerland
750 (stamped) designating gold
this etched at 6:00 o'clock: "MS 10/09/19"
In the center - the Chopard logo image with balance scales beneath it and "750" stamped between the scales
beneath that, "TM 19735" etched.

I wish I could take a nice close of the inside of the case back but it's all to small for anything I have to take pics.
 

[tomsch]

here's a shot of the inside of the case back.  Best I can manage.  Can't read the fine print but I listed it in my last post

[tomsch]

here's a shot of the inside of the case back.  Best I can manage.  Can't read the fine print but I listed it in my last post

 

 

 

Edited January 23, 2020 by tomsch
inserted wrong number

[tomsch]

caveat: the date etched into the back is hard to read.  the year might be 79.  Can't read it very well even with the loupe

 

[tomsch]

(couldn't be 1919 given it's a quartz movement)

[vinn3]

7 hours ago, saswatch88 said:

i hate split stem cases like this, i would suggest to avoid issues like marring as Marc said, take it to a jeweler and ask them to just remove the movement and thats it, it will cost much less, and then you could do the battery replacement yourself and re-assembling would be much easier than dis assembling.

    lots of vintage watches  have the assembly that way with the mvt. fit into the case bottom.  usely a slip fit with a notch for the stem to come out (2 piece stem not rquired.  vin

[saswatch88]

1 hour ago, vinn3 said:

    lots of vintage watches  have the assembly that way with the mvt. fit into the case bottom.  usely a slip fit with a notch for the stem to come out (2 piece stem not rquired.  vin

 Yes iam familiar with those too, a lot of Waltham/Elgin’s from the late 20s and 30s have cases like that they are much easier to open up.

[watchweasol]

Hi Tomsch  The movement looks like an ETA which chopard used , On the outside rim near the coil there should be a number like 955 12 or somthing like can you post it that is the make and calibre of the movement.  Chopard are quite often compared to  Rolex so you have a quality piece there.   cheers.

[tomsch]

watchweasol: stamped on the outer rim of the movement is "989001" .

Printed on black material in the movement is "Unadjusted" beneath that: "six 6 jewels" beneath that: "V 8"

 

[tomsch]

watchweasol: looking again, the number stamped on the rim of the movement appears to be 959001.  challenging to read these little stamps even with a good loupe

 

[tomsch]

Here is the movement from my timepiece and a screenshot of an ETA 959001 I found online: