Pittsburgh Watch Case Opener
This is, in my experience, the only tool one needs to open a threaded watch caseback, which are found mostly on 'waterproof' or water-resistant wristwatches. It's definitely a two-handed operation, but can be done by hand, with no other tools. The wrench comes with several sets of different-shaped pins, which you arrange on the tool to match the precise notch pattern on the caseback. This wrench will work with casebacks that have notches in amounts divisible by 3 and divisible by 2, which makes the tool adjustable to just about any size caseback.
It's not apparent from the appearance, but the tool's large handle rotates to adjust the bottom pin, and the thumbwheel in the middle adjusts the two pins above. Takes a little getting used to, but it's a good, solid feel when the adjustments are correct. Slow, constant force works best; no need to quickly jerk anything.
This type of tool is available from other stores, but Harbor Freight offers the best value. I'd say mine paid for itself about fifteen times over during the first week I had it. Over the last few years I've had several batteries run down on watches I own, including a Fossil titanium watch and a no-name Army field watch. So far, I have only used the tool's round, pin-end pegs. I'm actually not sure what watches require the other types of pegs included, but it's nice to be prepared.
Be aware the possibility of marring the caseback exists, and therefore you should be moderately careful when using this tool. Marring hasn't been an issue with the watches I've fixed, but if the metal is soft (gold alloys, for example), or if you're not careful, this could easily happen. The pins on the wrench appear to be hardened steel and would very likely be much harder than the watch caseback.
-- John Spurlin
Pittsburgh Watch Case Opener
$4
Available from Harbor Freight
Favorite (15)
Moon
Wow. That's great. So that's what those Sears people are doing when they turn their back to you. They always hide what they doing and they charge $10 to do it plus the battery cost.
Seems like $4 would be a good investment.
schwillis
I saw this same exact tool at a kiosk watch shop when I brought it in after I butchered the back of my watch trying to get it open myself. Even though their was barely any indentations left on the watch back to get a grip on with the tool, they still got the back off, and sold me a new watch back.
jbrandt
4 bucks? Wow. I think I paid more than that for mine from a watch parts store online, although it's a different brand.
I also have a really old one that I acquired as part of a box of tools-- it's in a swanky bakelite case with differently-shaped tips.
I actually mostly use the rectangular tips, since my watches mostly have rectangular notches on the casebacks...
Austin
Another good thing about automatic or solar watches - no batteries...
Paladin
There's a lot more to replacing a watch battery with the caseback wrench (I have one). You should have a loupe, fine jeweler's tweezers, jeweler's screwdrivers and gasket lubricant. What could be worse than replacing a battery only to misalign and damage the gasket.
Cjstuff
Cheap screwback watch case openers are copies of the high-quality Jaxa brand case wrench that has been a standard jewelry store tool for many years. Though the wrenches look similar, the inexpensive wrenches rarely have the same precision in their parts, meaning that their grip on the watch's case back is uneven. That's a big reason that these wrenches break loose, often seriously scarring a case back. I started out with one of these wrenches--mine cost $7.99--and butchered a number of watches. I have had far fewer problems since buying a used Jaxa at a parts house.
Speaking more positively, the other essential component when opening watch backs is a watch case vise. Typically, these are made of wood so that the metal case isn't marred. The $4-5 you spend on one of these gives a huge return on investment. You end up with a much firmer grip on the watch, permitting a much better grip by the case wrench and more even leverage. The wrench is much less likely to slip, and you're able to open backs that have become glued to the case body through heat and time.
Of course, if you want to open *any* kind of watch, you'll want an LG Openall wrench, but that's a different kind of beast.
metavitae.com
A really good pick for Cool Tools.
I have this same one and it is AWESOME! -Got it on eBay with ship for like $10 from a jeweler.
I press down against the watch as I unscrew at first, to keep the bits from skipping the notches.
Def. pays for itself.
Sometimes, it seems like the O-Ring is too large for the slot and needs a quick dip in Ice Water to fit back in again upon re-Install.
Good Job, KK.
-W
Patrick
Try covering the metal in some sort of heavy friction tape. Should keep the metal from marring & still keep a good grip on the watch.
ab
One thing worth noting, the pros also have a selection of rubber o-rings. The o-ring often needs to be replaced as it gets deformed and stretched when you open the watch.
Ed
Think long and hard before you buy anything from Harbor Freight. Sometimes a bargain aint a bargain. Really cheap chinese crap. There's a reason it' so cheap. Remember that cheap goods are a false economy.
Luigi
If you're not a watchmaker, you shouldn't be upening your case back in the first place. That goes twice for the people at Sears.
CT Reader
I purchased watch case opener item # 91550.How do you use it to open watch cases that have no notches at the back?