New here. Nixon watch question

[Berticus81]

Hello,

I am an amateur.  I like to tinker with jewelry and my own watches, but I focus on electronics mostly. 

I have this Nixon "Comp" watch I am trying to replace the battery in.  I cannot see how this back cover is supposed to come off without taking off the straps.

The straps have a Phillips shaped thing holding each four sides of the straps on.  I suspect they may be riveted in somehow.  Because when I can grab enough meat of this "screw"(for lack of a better term), it doesn't seem to turn much or be coming out at all. 

It's unusual that they would not leave a way to get the straps off, to remove the back cover, to replace the battery.

I am wondering if anyone has seen this/these before or has any input.

pictures enclosed, back cover screws already removed in pictures.

[watchweasol]

Hi  I have had a similar watch some time ago but I was able to work the back cover off sideways leaving the straps on, a right regular P.I.A but it worked, not too sure that the screws are not loctited in, If so  A soldering iron on the screw head works but as this is a rubber strap be careful it trying that method.

[HectorLooi]

I've come across some watches from China with "fake" screws. If you inspect the screws carefully and notice that the cross is not deep enough to fit a Philips screwdriver in, it is most likely to be a fake screw. Nothing more than a case embellishment.

If that's the case and the strap has not hardened, you can try prying back the ends of the strap to see if a spring bar is hiding inside.

But as WW said, you can just remove the back without taking off the straps.

[Berticus81]

Thanks for the replies.

I cut away some of the silicone band thinking it would create the clearance to pull that cover up but, NOPE>

The silicone or rubber straps are so molded into the body of the watch there is son way to separate it.  I don't know what material it is but the straps is so damn strong I couldn't tear it with all my might.  And then the guts seem to be mounted to the back case from the front.  It's like they had the case and put it in a mold with the goop and baked the straps right into everything in layers.  It'd be great if it ran forever.

I don't think this was made to come apart and go back together.  But damn.  What a dumb design.  The battery dies and that's it? 

[watchweasol]

Hi  From the design of the case front and the intergration of the strap I would be inclined to do what Hector advised and pull/cut back the underside and check for a case bar.

[Michael1962]

Welcome to the forum @Berticus81.

How did you go with the watch?

[grsnovi]

Thanks for the intro @Berticus81 welcome to the WRT forum! I'm also relatively new and I'm in the middle of my first service of an Elgin Grade 313 movement which has been stalled for a while as I was waiting for oil and a mainspring winder. Well, my oil arrived today and luckily I picked up an identical 2nd movement so as I disassemble that one it will help me remember how to re-assemble the first one! I've posted some shots of my watches here.

Did you get the back off?