Waltham pocket watch opening

[StephenLev]

I have a Waltham open face silver pocket watch. I can't open the front to put the movement back in. The back upend by pressing the button on the top, but the movement can't fit in from the back. Any suggestions please.

[RichardHarris123]

How did you open the front to get the movement out? 

[StephenLev]

I can't remember 

I can't remember , I opened it a long time ago

[RichardHarris123]

Usually there's a slot to put a case knife in. 

[StephenLev]

I'm not sure if the front is screw off or pop off, I don't want to force anything

[RichardHarris123]

If there isn't a  slot for a case knife, try unscrewing it. 

[StephenLev]

Ok, thanks, I'll try again.

[RichardHarris123]

Just realised, you should be able to see the hinge if it snaps open. 

[StephenLev]

Definitely no hinge on front bezel

[RichardHarris123]

Any progress? 

[watchweasol]

Quite possible a screw on if not and there is no hinge  use a sharp one side blade and press it in th groove all the way round to raise the bezel..

[JohnR725]

I don't suppose we could have a picture of the movement after all this is a watch repair discussion group we like movement pictures.

Also that's a rather interesting case that you have can't quite see the hallmarks on the back but it looks like a English sterling silver case.

Look very very carefully at the front as there may not actually be a place to insert a knife. I'm guessing because the age of the case then it probably just pops off. As it's not something you do on a regular basis it's not going to have a big groove to insert a knife. We could also give you a date for when the case was made if we could see the hallmarks better. The same as if we had the serial number of the watch would you give your date of that.

Then out of curiosity don't have a location under your name I don't suppose you want to give a country that you're located in or the country that the watch perhaps came from not the country was manufactured in but the country works purchased from?

[CYCLOPS]

look for a small lip on the bezel if no recess for a blade, I bet it is a snap on, not all snap on bezels have a hinge, try a razor blade and be careful.....Happy New Year

Edited January 1, 2024 by CYCLOPS