Beat-up Bulova and unsnappy back

[JohnC]

Hi all, I am working on a very sad Bulova from the '40s-'50s - a "tank" type where the case fits over the caseback and the movement basically sits inside the back.

When I first got the watch, as I was poking for a place to get my springbar tool behind the (very dirty) metal stretchy band, I was surprised to find the caseback, complete with movement, sitting in the palm of my hand. In other words, the back is way too loose. From what I can tell, the lip on the caseback rim that the front should snap over is worn down.

Is there anything I can do to tighten this thing up? I am worried about messing with the case front, but obviously I don't want the movement falling out at random.

Many thanks.

 

[Orologi67]

Any pictures?

[JohnC]

Seems like there's been a fair bit of moisture ingress.

Sorry seems like pics may not be high res enough. Hopefully you can see the "snappy" bits look worn, both on case and caseback.

 

[rodabod]

I think your best option with a case like that is either to spread the case back somehow, or close the mid case. The former is less likely to be noticeable cosmetically, but you might have to be good at improvising a method. 

[JohnC]

Thanks - yes I think the midcase would definitely be easier to bend, but run the risk of messing it up pretty obviously.