Opening an old Waltham

[GonzaV]

Hi everyone,

I found this old Waltham watch to service it, but I don’t know how to open it. I see someone tried to open it from the side and messed up the watch a bit. I’d like to be smarter than that with help from you wise ones.

Would anyone know if this is a pop crown kind of watch or a weird screw back? Any help is welcome. 
 

 

[AndyGSi]

Looking at the photos the back should just pop off.

Is there no other notch around between the case and back and what case tools have you got?

[GonzaV]

I have a case back opening knife and tried to pop it where someone already tried because that is the only part that seems to have a notch. It was so hard that I thought I would end up scratching it more. It doesn’t seem to have any other notch or holes for screwing it off. I’m stuck on this one

[rjenkinsgb]

In the first photo, it looks like there may be a knife groove just under the right strap lug?

Try a bit of penetrating oil around back joint, in case there is some internal corrosion??

[AndyGSi]

As @rjenkinsgb said it does look like a groove here.

You're also probably best using this type of tool which is used as a wedge rather than a pry.

 

 

[spectre6000]

Crazy thought, check to see if it has a split stem. There's a type of case that LOOKS like a pop off back, but isn't. Three piece case to where you'd want to press the crystal down through the bezel/lug ring. I've never seen a Waltham with that style case, but it's a thing.

Alternatively, someone might have glued the case back on for some reason or another. Try giving it a little heat maybe?