Bulova BPAC caliber case back removal a no go

[Yokespring1]

This watch has 2 parts..a center cover held on bt an outside ring. The ring is notched like mant one piece backs.The outside ring is on for the ages! Nothing has made it budge, including PB Blaster in the crease. Any suggestions on a method to try?

[RichardHarris123]

Photos please. 

[AndyGSi]

Welcome to the forum.

Photos of yours will help but I presume you mean like this.

What tool have you tried to remove the ring with?

[HectorLooi]

Whoa! Bummer!

You can't even use the glued nut hack on this.

[Yokespring1]

The watch back looks like the picture Andy posted…i tried the adjustable tool for lugged casebacks but to no avail.i have used the superglue and nut method on other watches, but , as mentioned, it wont work here…or will it? Now i am thinking a socket wrench with the correct diameter glued ti the caseback outer ring might work…

[HectorLooi]

4 hours ago, Yokespring1 said:

The watch back looks like the picture Andy posted…i tried the adjustable tool for lugged casebacks but to no avail.i have used the superglue and nut method on other watches, but , as mentioned, it wont work here…or will it? Now i am thinking a socket wrench with the correct diameter glued ti the caseback outer ring might work…

Too risky. If the superglue seeps into the threads of the ring, it's done for.

Just spray penetrating oil and wait.

Spray and pray.

[AndyGSi]

4 hours ago, Yokespring1 said:

i tried the adjustable tool for lugged casebacks but to no avail

Depending which tool you've got you'll probably need something like this.

[RichardHarris123]

A socket wrench may work if you adapted it to fit the notches.  Hold the case in a case vice.

[JohnR725]

5 hours ago, Yokespring1 said:

superglue and nut method on other watches, but , as mentioned, it wont work here…or will it?

the problem is the back is held on with a threaded ring. The back itself is not meant to rotate typically it has a tab which drops into the slot to hold it in an exact location. If you attempt to rotate the center part you'll break that off with the bonus that it's not coming off because you have to unscrew the ring.  with just a reminder the ring is not actually attached to the back it's just a locking ring.

8 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

Depending which tool you've got you'll probably need something like this.

then a tool like this is always outstanding for stock case backs and/or rings that won't rotate. But just a reminder as they usually have adjustable jaws you only want to rotate the ring. In other words you only want to have your jaws pushing on the ring this would also include your hand wrenches just get something into the ring notches do not push on the back.

 

 

[Yokespring1]

Thank you folks for your suggestions..I am going to give it another go today and will post my results. 

[Yokespring1]

Here is the naughty girl. After applying pb blaster with a cue tip, it cleaned the thread area..appears some ring threads are showing..wondering if last person cross threaded the ring! Tried the adjustable removing tool. Good purchase on the lugs but not budging in either direction yet.

[AndyGSi]

34 minutes ago, Yokespring1 said:

Here is the naughty girl. After applying pb blaster with a cue tip, it cleaned the thread area..appears some ring threads are showing..wondering if last person cross threaded the ring! Tried the adjustable removing tool. Good purchase on the lugs but not budging in either direction yet.

What exact tool is it you're using?

[clockboy]

Two cheap tools that should work.

 

[Yokespring1]

I have the both of the tools shown, Clockboy..neither is working for me. I cant see buying the tool shown by Andy at this time.

[AndyGSi]

38 minutes ago, Yokespring1 said:

I have the both of the tools shown, Clockboy..neither is working for me. I cant see buying the tool shown by Andy at this time.

Where in the world are you?

Is there anyone close that maybe able to help.

[GuyMontag]

I believe I have this or a similar watch. On mine (1957 to your 1956) the tab that is supposed to slot into the cutout in the case is right above the 'O' in 'Bulova'. If it is in the same place on your watch then the tab has rotated out of the slot and is likely deformed and wedged against the caseback. That shouldn't stop the outer ring from rotating but sometimes on the Bulova's with these outer rings the two pieces can stick to one another so that when you turn the outer ring it wants to turn the caseback too which may be difficult with the wedged tab.

Try and put pressure with your thumb on the caseback so that it doesn't rotate while you or someone else turns the outer ring CCW.  Once you get it off when you go to put it back on keep a thumb on the caseback while you rotate the outer ring CW. If you do use one of the bench tools to do that you have to be careful not to put too much downward pressure on the outer ring or it will turn the caseback with it and crush the tab (ask me how I know). The same applies when taking it off in the future.

 

Edited December 29, 2024 by GuyMontag

[JohnR725]

15 minutes ago, GuyMontag said:

tab has rotated

yes that was bothering me in the picture. With the back like this it would always go on the exact same location be nice and symmetrical with the case unlike the one in this example where the back has obviously been rotated. As I said at the problem a lot of times when people are using case wrenches they clamp it down nice and tight their clamping onto the case back and that was not supposed to be rotated.

so specifically look at the serial number it should be at the very bottom like an example up above versus the example in this discussion which is now in a location where it's not supposed to be.

 

 

 

[AndyGSi]

Is that a split in the case?

[GuyMontag]

Yes, it is the cutout in the case where the tab on the caseback fits. Here is a photo from a Bulova I just serviced showing the caseback tab in the case cutout with the outer locking ring removed.

Edited December 30, 2024 by GuyMontag

[Yokespring1]

Well, after numerous futile attempts at getting the outer ring to even budge, I broke down and ordered the super wheelie tool for casebacks as shown by Andy earlier.  Yikes! The ring immediately turned and came off.  I can”t recommend this tool highly enough. It proved well worth the purchase price of around 90 bucks. Incredible tool.  So, now the naughty girl is running strong in need of a total service but that can wait for me to practice a little more on automatics with a cheaper watch. Thanks for all the suggestions, and see you on the next watch.