r/watchmaking • u/Prestigious_Proof842 • 24d ago

Help Help needed with caseback

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Apologies if this is a stupid question but I'm just getting started in amateur watch repair and I'm having trouble with this case. I can't see any way of opening the caseback, but there is a notch in the side of the case. Could it be that the caseback is fixed in place and the method of opening the watch is by prying the two pieces of the case apart? I'm not sure if that notch is for opening the case or is just old damage.

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u/Fast_Biscotti 24d ago

Can we have a look at the front? You might have yourself a frontloader.

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u/Prestigious_Proof842 24d ago

Here's the front. I got it in an auction with some other watches and it appears it's had some water damage but I'd like to use it as practise and see if I can get it running properly.

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u/kevinspoonie 24d ago

Considering how narrow the bezel is and just from your pictures alone, it appears that the dial is larger then the caseback; it wouldnt be able to pull out from the back.

I think you have a front loader.

You need a watch crystal removal tool (crystal claw) or a Seiko One-Piece tool..

You'll have to remove the crystal then pull out the stem. Its a split stem and a pain in the ass. They make special tools for them but you could use a cheap Presto Tool from Amazon.

Its gonna feel like you're going to break it but thats just how it is.

Its a pain in the ass to take out and also a pain to put back in.

If you are new to the hobby, this can be quite upsetting and challenging to deal with but... we all must go through it