The 3 Easiest Ways to Remove the Back of Your Watch Without Tools

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   Try your thumb on some cheap, simple-looking watches. Some watch cases can be opened by prying open a simple hinge in the back. Examine your watch to see if the backing will allow this. If there are no screws in the backing, it can most likely be opened with your thumbnail. [1]

   • This method will only work if your watch backing does not contain any screws.
   • While other fingernails may be used, your thumbnail is usually the largest and strongest.

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   Find the hinge of your watch. On simple watches, the hinge will appear as a small indentation along the back edge of the watch. This is where you'll put your thumbnail to pry the backing off.

   • Do not take your eyes off the task at hand. Maintain control of it with your other hand while prying it open.

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   Insert your thumbnail beneath the backing hinge and lift. As you work, make sure your nail is facing the back of the watch. To avoid chipping or bending your thumbnail, lift slowly. The backing should come off with some pressure and patience. If the backing is difficult to remove, avoid using your thumbnail to avoid damaging it. [2]

   • This method works best if your fingernails are long and healthy.

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   As an alternative, use a razor blade. If the hinge is too tight or your thumbnail is too short to pry the backing off, a flat razor blade will suffice. Insert the razor blade's edge through the hinge opening and lift until the blade is pried off. [3]

   • You can use this method with a razor blade if there is no indentation but only a space between the back and casing.
   • If you don't have a razor blade, small kitchen knives will suffice.

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1. 1

   Get a soft, mashable rubber ball. Rubber balls frequently have enough grip to pry watch straps off. Choose a rubberized ball that is both squishy and tacky so that it can latch onto the back of your watch. [4]

   • Stress balls can be a less expensive alternative.
   • Avoid using rubber balls made of hard materials. The ball must be soft and pliable in order to grip the backing.
   • A super-cheap alternative is to wrap a new tennis ball in duct tape until completely covered. The duct tape adhesive is extremely sticky, and the tennis ball provides something to grip.

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   Set the watch on a flat surface. Although you can work while holding the watch in your hand, placing it on a flat surface will allow you to work more comfortably and efficiently. If your watch is expensive or fragile, place it on a towel to rest on while you work.

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   Firmly press the ball into the watch's backing. The rubber ball must be firmly pressed against the backing, particularly the screw notches. As you move the ball against the backing, apply firm pressure so that the ball can establish a strong grip. [5]

   • To avoid accidentally damaging your watch, apply pressure in increments.

4. 4

   Counterclockwise rotate the ball. Most watch models loosen when turned counterclockwise and tighten when turned clockwise. As you turn the watch, the screws on the back should loosen. Twist quickly and firmly to maintain the rubber ball's firm grip on the backing. [6]

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   The ball should be used to loosen but not remove the backing. Once the backing is loose enough, you can remove it completely with your fingers. Twist the backing with your fingers counterclockwise until it and the screws come off. Keep the backing and screws somewhere safe so you don't lose them. [7]

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   After that, use the rubber ball to secure the backing. Once you've done whatever you needed to do while removing it, make sure to secure the backing tightly. Place the cover on the back of your watch and press the rubber ball firmly against it. Turn quickly clockwise to tighten the backing up again. [8]

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   To loosen extremely tight backings, use scissors. Rubber balls may not provide enough grip if your backing is not tightly screwed on. Scissor tips are usually small enough to reach the screws on your watch and twist them off, just like a specialized screwdriver would.

   • To avoid injuring yourself if the scissors slip, choose a pair with blunt tips.

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   Place the watch on a firm, flat surface. By placing the watch on a flat surface, you will be able to work safely while using the scissors. If your watch is valuable or delicate, place it on a soft towel while you remove the screws.

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   Find the screw notches on the watch. These notches indicate where your screws should go. Open the scissors handle, then insert one of the scissor tips into a screw notch as you prepare to unscrew it. To avoid losing your grip as you turn the scissor, place the tip firmly inside the notch. [9]

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   In a counterclockwise motion, twist the notches. Turn the scissors counterclockwise to loosen each screw, just as you would with the rubber ball method. After you've removed the first screw, repeat the process with the remaining notches. [10]

   • When you're ready to replace the backing, repeat the process but twist in a clockwise direction.

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   As an alternative, use a precision screwdriver. If you can't or don't want to use scissors, pick up a precision screwdriver from your local hardware store. Precision screwdrivers are typically small enough to unscrew watch backs without the need for specialized tools.

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