Case Openers: Overview
Opening watch cases is not the easiest of
the watchmaking tasks. But it is always the first to be done. I admit that I was
always very scared when opening watches, especially watches that were not mine.
I do not like opening marks and scratches and assume that other people despise
them too.
I have seen the most unbelievable examples of abused watch backs when browsing
the flea markets in Bangkok. Yes, I know, tools are expensive, but trying to
open a water resistant case back with slots with an old rusty screwdriver and
chiseling parts off that case back is really barbaric. But it is obviously done
quite often.
I soon realized that opening watch cases is a lot easier, if
you have some practice
you have the right tools
you have holders or pads to put the watch on while opening them
I might have to add here, that you could buy one of those big case openers with a handle (they often work as case presses too), they cost around USD 500 to 700 and they come with a large array of bits to fit about any watchcase. If your budget and space allows that, then just buy one of those and you do not need to read further.
You are still reading?
Great, then let us
have a look at the various openers that come at affordable prices and let us see
what we will be able to open with them.
Last but not least: It
is a myth...
That a case back has to be closed with a huge momentum in order to guarantee
water resistance. Many people use too much force when closing case backs. A
gasket ring in good condition is much more important then too many KN (Kilo
Newton) closing momentum!
A) Hand held case back openers
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| Types of Case Backs | Bergeon 5394 Movement Pad |
JAXA Universal Case Opener Swiss Made (If you are more experienced, go for the single handle version) |
The very "Poor Man's" Alternative: China Made Openers | Meikosha 19400 Made in Japan | Bergeon 5338-1 F Swiss Made** | Bergeon 5537 Swiss Made |
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Typical Asian street price (ca. 2003, since then we had an oil price almost doubled, so expect higher prices today) |
USD 10 | USD 100 | USD 11 - 14 | USD 50 | USD 70 | USD 80 |
| For >>> | N/A |
Cases with Slots Cases with round Holes |
Cases with Slots Polygonal Cases* |
Cases with Slots Polygonal Cases* |
Cases with Slots* Polygonal Cases |
Cases with Grooves (Rolex) |
*
grey choices in the
For >>> row mean, that the
case opener can open those cases, but is not the ideal tool.
** additional bits for the Bergeon 5338 are
available: for Cases with Holes, Curved Edges and Cases with Grooves, although I
would always prefer the Bergeon 5537 for Cases with Grooves
B) The professional Bergeon 5700Z and accessories
C) Pocket case opener tools for case backs with slots (screwed case backs) and snap-on case backs:
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Pocket Case opener Made in China, the very similar original Bergeon opener (with much better quality of course) costs almost USD 50 |
Great Bergeon opener 2533, this is the most gentle watch opener, a must carry for flea market browsing |
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Cases with Slots Knife for Snap-on Case backs |
All screwed case backs not sitting too tight |
D) Case opener tool for non-screw (snap-on) case backs:
Opening grooves
Please note that many watch cases or case backs
provide opening grooves to facilitate positioning the opening tool. Sometimes
the cut-outs in either the case backs or the watch case are very small and
you probably find them with a loupe only or by driving your finger nail
carefully around the edge of the case back. Common positions for grooves are
Most often at the 5 o'clock position opposite the lower right lug (you are looking at the watch from the front with 12 o'clock pointing up)
Alternatively the opening grooves are located opposite the other lugs at 7 o'clock, 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock
Sometimes the grooves are right in between the lugs either at 12 o'clock or at 6 o'clock
On some Seikos I have found grooves in the case back opposite the crown at 9 o'clock (e.g. the Seiko Quartz Discovery series).
It is really worth to look for these opening grooves as they allow a much saver positioning of the manual opening tool. The Case Crab opener below is especially helpful for very tight case backs or where an opening groove is missing. Please find additional Opening Hints here.
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HOROTEC MSA 07.115 Case Crab |
Bergeon Tool - my Favorite! |
Japan Made "MKS" and Bergeon Opener (Opening Hints) |
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Snap-on Cases normally found on Quartz
watches (There are some exceptions, notably some automatic Omegas come with snap-on case backs) |
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