Removing the back on a Festina quartz

[GuyW]

Hi,

I left one of my favourite watches at a friend's house some years ago and have finally got it back. I need to change the battery, but I can't get the back off. I don't see a specific spot for getting the knife tool in, and I can't get any leverage. Having added many scratches trying, I thought I'd ask here if anyone knows what to do.

I took the strap off for easy access (that bit went just fine!).

 

[watchweasol]

Try using a hobby knife or stanley knife but wear gloves or a glove, The idea being to open enough gap for the case knife to get a purchase. sometimes they can be a bit tight.   The tool attached is use ful for the tight ones  but you will need a back press to get it on again

[GuyW]

Thanks @watchweasol, I'll get out the stanley and try not to cut myself

 

[jdm]

2 hours ago, GuyW said:

 I'll get out the stanley and try not to cut myself

Have a look to the thread below, it shows good case holders and the Japanese type caseback knives. Not expensive and a must have to do this work in total safety.

 

 

[GuyW]

7 hours ago, jdm said:

Have a look to the thread below, it shows good case holders and the Japanese type caseback knives. Not expensive and a must have to do this work in total safety.

 

 

Thanks! some things for the birthday present list... I have a woodworking background, so improvised with a wooden vice and a chisel. not elegant, but effective!

[watchweasol]

So You managed it, can you post some pictures of the watch for reference. and how you did it.  Might help others in the same predicament.     cheers

[GuyW]

12 hours ago, watchweasol said:

So You managed it, can you post some pictures of the watch for reference. and how you did it.  Might help others in the same predicament.     cheers

I really wouldn't recommend my method- it involved a fine-ground paring chisel that I was ok re-grinding, a woodworking bench with sacrificial wooden jaws in the vice, and a short sharp shock with a mallet. 30 years of woodworking experience meant I could get away with it, just about. The scratches on the back actually come from failed attempts with various back-opening knives.

But here's the watch opened up. The crystal was already damaged, so I decided to make this my first crystal replacement as well.

[watchweasol]

Hi  Some of those snap case backs can be wicked to open, I eventually purchased a tool to do the job  even then they can be a problem. a tool can cost around £30 but worth it in the end , saves your sanity. The one attaced from Cousins uk comes in at under £30 and is similar to the one I use.

[HectorLooi]

The bezel remover/caseback opener that watchweasol recommends above is a really useful tool for such watches. It opens them without marring the finish. 

I also like the Seiko style openers that jdm recommends. I use them for the majority of the watches I open.

But there isn't a one-tool-fits-all caseback opener. Dats why all of us have a drawer full of them. 

[HectorLooi]

4 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

Hi  Some of those snap case backs can be wicked to open, I eventually purchased a tool to do the job  even then they can be a problem. a tool can cost around £30 but worth it in the end , saves your sanity. The one attaced from Cousins uk comes in at under £30 and is similar to the one I use.

The newer models can even push out bracelet pins.

If it can push out pendant tubes too, I'll be tempted to add another contraption to my shelf.

[GuyW]

thanks for the recommendations. I'm at the stage in this hobby where every job requires a new tool and a wait while it arrives! That back opener is on my list...

[GuyW]

New crystal in, watch working again! Getting the face oriented correctly was quite tricky, but the actual crystal replacement was a snap. 

 

[GuyW]

On 2/4/2022 at 10:05 AM, watchweasol said:

Hi  Some of those snap case backs can be wicked to open, I eventually purchased a tool to do the job  even then they can be a problem. a tool can cost around £30 but worth it in the end , saves your sanity. The one attaced from Cousins uk comes in at under £30 and is similar to the one I use.

I was thinking of upgrading from the chisel... sadly that tool is 125 quid. It's the set of bits that's 30.
Not this month- maybe next!

[watchweasol]

There is a chinese version to be had on ebay or from Aliexpress that comes in around 30

[GuyW]

16 hours ago, watchweasol said:

There is a chinese version to be had on ebay or from Aliexpress that comes in around 30

good to know, thanks!