Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Greetings All,

I hope this is not a silly question but I'd like to identify what tool(s) I might need to open this type of screw back watch case (see pic. below). This is an inexpensive Victorinox Swiss Army watch and I really don't want to spend $20-$25 at a Jeweler's to have the battery replaced. I know it's definitely not a snap/pop off case.

 

Thanks,

 

Klimi99

 

post-935-0-07987200-1429520480_thumb.jpg

Posted

A sticky ball would work.

I have a Swiss Army watch (same as Victorinox) and I was able to open it by laying it flat on a soft cloth and using another cloth on the back to turn the back (it's a screw on back). You'll need quite a bit of down pressure to get it to move, but don't break the glass !!!! 

The sticky ball might be a better and safer alternative.

 

Welcome to the forum btw !

Posted

I believe it is a pressure back not a screw in...they do that sometimes to mimic more expensive watches. You'll find inside a regular Ronda 515 movement (if only a date dial). I believe if you try Rolex type dies to open it you will find none of them fit...because it is not a screw on! Hope this helps.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

 

PS. I believe there is an indentation on the case to fit the knife. You will need a press to close it back!

  • Like 1
Posted

Thanks for the tips. I've had this little guy since 1999 or so. The few times I've taken it to a Battery Plus or similar store that replaces batteries, I am told they can't do it because they lack the special tool to open it. When I go to a Jeweler -- and overpay for a battery change--  the watch guy goes to the back, does his magic, but never explains what type of tool he used. 

 

I bought a sticky ball and will try that just in case it is a screwback. I have other watches on which I can use the ball.

 

Thanks,

Klimi99

Posted

Ok, although I believe this particular watch is NOT a screw back, please let us know how you get on.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

Posted (edited)

"overpriced" It's not overpriced, you're paying a professional for his time and expertise. (though I do believe what I charge for this particular watch works out to be a little less, 10 GBP)
"never explains what tool he uses." why should he?

Edited by Ishima
Posted

Well, I got a hermetic non-reply from Victorinox. Reading the subtext I guess this is an oyster back case.

 

Thank you for contacting Victorinox Swiss Army.

 

You have one of our Original watches.  Large 24221, small 24241.  Battery changes and repairs should be done at an authorized repair center.  I would send your watch to...

 

They then provide the address to some watch servicing center here in TX. 

:geek: 

Posted

Another original Swiss military watch, deceiving back is NOT screw in but pressed in.

 

post-253-0-42306100-1429639305.jpg

 

Did you check if any Rolex type dies fit yours? Normally they shouldn't fit or grab if not screw in... and it takes quite an effort to remove these pressure backs and will need a press to put it back in.

 

Hope it helps,

 

Cheers,

 

 

Posted

Mystery solved! It is a press in back with a faux oyster back motif. I guess the people who didn't want to open it were fooled by the little grooves and the fellow at the battery place who tried to open it but could not didn't quite know what he was up to. I took it to a local jeweler who replaced the battery for US$13.00 (around 8.70 pounds). It took him all of 2 minutes. I might invest in a press and the proper opening tool to do this at home. I have a small collection of inexpensive watches that need batteries every so often.

 

Thanks for the info and tips - 

 

klimi99

Posted

I believe it is a pressure back not a screw in...they do that sometimes to mimic more expensive watches. You'll find inside a regular Ronda 515 movement (if only a date dial). I believe if you try Rolex type dies to open it you will find none of them fit...because it is not a screw on! Hope this helps.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

 

PS. I believe there is an indentation on the case to fit the knife. You will need a press to close it back!

Your call was spot on Bob! :)

  • Like 1
Posted

Good catch Bob !

That back had me fooled for sure ! I was pretty sure it was a screw on, my Swiss Army watch has the exact same type of back, but it's a screw on !!!! Same brand, same back, even same movement !!!

  • Like 1
Posted

Yep. He's a certified Seiko repair shop, so if anything happens to one of my Seikos there will be a place to go.

  • 3 years later...
Posted

cheap watches (including pocket watches)  are designed to fool you.  the press backs use to have a slight notch to insert a "knife type tool".   another problem is poor manufactioning,  the back may never "pop off".  i use a jewelers hammer and a razor blade if i suspect its pop off.    the should be held in a "fixure" to hold it vertical. vin

Posted
cheap watches (including pocket watches)  are designed to fool you.  the press backs use to have a slight notch to insert a "knife type tool".   another problem is poor manufactioning,  the back may never "pop off".  i use a jewelers hammer and a razor blade if i suspect its pop off.    the should be held in a "fixure" to hold it vertical. vin

I use the jewellers hammer and my Swiss Army Knife. Safer than a razor blade.
Neil


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Posted
3 hours ago, Neileg said:


I use the jewellers hammer and my Swiss Army Knife. Safer than a razor blade.
Neil


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

3 hours ago, Neileg said:


I use the jewellers hammer and my Swiss Army Knife. Safer than a razor blade.
Neil
         what every works without too much blood in the case.  actually,  you can sharpen a knife to have the same edge as a "safety razor blade".  vin

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Posted
 


Dead right Vinn3. But the knife has a handle and the blade is more robust. If the razor blade works for you then go for it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Posted
19 hours ago, Neileg said:

 

 


Dead right Vinn3. But the knife has a handle and the blade is more robust. If the razor blade works for you then go for it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

   here is another thought,    the ( safety razor blade)  is SO thin,   it will open the seam - allowing the case opener to enter?  be shure to use a jewelers hammer an not a hand sledge.  vin

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

If the hammer is large enough, all problems with the watch are quickly solved, no matter how complex those problems may have seemed. 

“Brute Force always prevails.”

  • Similar Content

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Hi All, I’m having a hard time finding a balance assembly or even a working donor movement for a Gruen 330.  Any leads appreciated.   Gruen doesn’t stamp the caliber number of the movement but lust in the case back.   
    • Why do you think this is Fontainemelon ?  The balance staff you will need to source separately.  But first it's important to accurately identify what you have there. Research Ebauches Sa, see who was in group, to find the brand that made this movement. 
    • Hi Watchrepairtalk, I have some questions about part sourcing I was hoping someone here might be able to help with. I'm working on an FHF 180 movement with a broken balance staff, broken regulator pins, and damaged cap jewels (both top and bottom). Some Googling says that this is similar to other FHF calibers like 150s, 160s, 180s and so on but I can't figure out what the functional difference is between these movements.  Is there any reason I wouldn't be able to acquire a donor FHF 150 or similar (with no shock protection) and use parts from that or would it be smarter to source replacements individually? Also are there any sources someone could recommend to get bulk cap jewels like this? Thank you for the help!
    • Hello and welcome to the WRT forum.
    • interesting video nice to see the machine what it can do now I wonder what it costs and I'm sure it's not in my budget. Plus the video brought up questions but the website below answers the questions? What was bothering me was the size of his machine 4 mm because I thought it was bigger than that? But then it occurred to me that maybe they had variations it looks like four, seven and 10. With the seven and 10 being the best because way more tool positions in way more rotating tools. Although I bet you all the rotating tools are probably separate cost https://www.tornos.com/en/content/swissnano   Then as we been talking about Sherline. Just so that everyone's aware of this they have another division their industrial division where you can buy bits and pieces. I have a link below that shows that just in case you don't want to have the entire machine you just need bits and pieces. https://www.sherline.com/product-category/industrial-products-division/   Let's see what we can do with the concept I explained up above and bits and pieces. For one thing you can make a really tiny gear very tiny like perhaps you're going to make a watch. Then another version the center part is not separate it is all machined from one piece. Then fills gear cutting machines have gone through multiple of evolutions. A lot of it based on what he wanted to make like he was going to make a watch unfortunately eyesight issues have prevented that. Another reason why you should start projects like this much sooner when your eyesight is really good or perhaps start on watches first and then move the clocks then local we have from the industrial division? Looks like two separate motors and heads. Then it's hard to see but this entire thing is built on top of a much larger milling machine as a larger milling machine gave a very solid platform to build everything.   Then like everything else that had multiple generations are versions the indexing went through of course variations like above is one version and the one below was the last version. Now the version below I mentioned that previously and somewhere in the beginning to discussion and somebody else had one in their picture. As it is a really nice precision indexing. Then I wasn't sure if I had a the watch photos here is his unfinished watch. No he wasn't going to make a simple watch like none of his clocks were simply either what would be the challenge and that.    
×
×
  • Create New...