How To Open a Pocket Watch Back

Pocket watches are a beautiful accessory that many like to carry with them. Care must be taken with this type of watch as it is very delicate and the mechanics are located at the surface of the case. When you go to remove the back of your pocket watch, you need to know how to take this piece off carefully so you don't damage anything inside.

Watch cases come in a variety of styles. Knowing which type you have is of extreme importance when removing the back. Here are the most common types you may encounter and how to remove the back from each.

• Hunter Style Watch - This type of pocket watch comes in many sizes. Push down on the crown of the pocket watch case. When you do so, a case lid will open. The portion of the watch that did not open is the back. On the back, you will need to locate a very small lip. Gently insert a knife under this lip. Slowly apply pressure with a twisting motion. The case back will open and most likely you will see another cover. This is known as the cuvette. Here you will insert your knife along the edge right where you see a case ring. All it takes to open this case is to insert the knife in this space. The case pops right up. Take care when doing so. If your knife slips, the watch movement may be damaged.


• NAWCO Watch - There are very few watches of this type to be found. Here you will need to remove the bevel and screw fastening on the back of the case. Once you remove the case back, a cuvette will be found. Slip the edge of a sharp knife into the groove of the cuvette and pop it off.


• Screw on Bezel Watches - This is the most common of the pocket watch case types. Along the case edge, you will find a line that is very fine. The bezel and back connects to the case ring here. To open this type of case, unscrew in a counterclockwise direction. If you find that your case is stuck, a piece of thin rubber may be used to help grip the watch bezel and case back.


• Swing Ring Style Watches - Watches of this type have a line located beneath the bezel. This line is designed to hold the glass crystal. Unscrew the bezel and crystal here. When you do so, a small groove will be exposed at the 6 o'clock position. Carefully pull the crown out as this will remove the stem from the movement. Once this has been done, you can remove the movement from the case. Take care as the case and swing-ring are hinged together. Damage can occur when opening and closing the type of watch.