A watch is more than just a timepiece; it's a statement of style, luxury, and precision. And for watch enthusiasts, there's nothing quite as satisfying as being able to inspect the intricate mechanisms inside a watch's caseback. However, opening a watch's caseback is no easy feat, as it requires a specialized tool known as a watch caseback opener.

Removing the caseback of a watch is a must-do-step if you wish to access the movement inside, or swap your dials and hands for new ones. If you already love the SKX007 mod, then all you need to know is how to unscrew the caseback. At namokiMODS we can supply you with OEM Seiko spare parts, or some of the best aftermarket watch spare parts in the world - including the perfect caseback openers for a SKX series watch. 

 

 

However, if you want to be able to remove just about any caseback out there, you will need to find the right tool to take the caseback off without damaging it. Here we'll take a closer look at the different types of watch caseback openers and help you decide which one is best suited for your needs. Let’s get to it!

 

Why Would You Need to Open the Caseback?

There are many reasons to open a watch caseback. You might need to change your watch battery on a quartz watch, replace the gasket which makes the watch water resistant, or diagnose a problem with a mechanical watch.

For many, a watch caseback is often forgotten, as few people do their own maintenance. However, a caseback is one of the perfect places for watch modders to leave their mark by customizing the watch without changing the overall functionality.

 

 

Opening the caseback can also reveal valuable information about the watch, such as its serial number, production date, and even the type of movement inside (For Seiko watches, these info are commonly found on the outer part of the caseback though). This information can be useful for authentication and appraisals, as well as satisfying a collector's curiosity about their watch's history.

Since there are many styles of watch casebacks, you will need to make sure to have the right caseback opener for your watch. Let’s take a look at some of the most common casebacks and the correct opener for the job!

 

Snap In Caseback

Source: Esslinger

 

A snap in caseback is the most common type of watch on the market, and watches at every price point use this style of caseback. 

Before opening the caseback, it is necessary to identify the location of the notch on the back of the watch. Also, some watches have small tabs on the back or small grooves.

To open it, you can hold the watch by the case and then insert the blade or a case opener into it. Push the watch case knife and twist the handle to clip the back from the watch case. 

To avoid scratching the watch back in case the blade could slip, you can stick some sticky tape on it. Otherwise, you also can use a cloth or towel to cover the hand holding the watch in case the knife slips.

If the caseback is too tight, you can also try to pry it off. As this opener uses leverage to lift the caseback, you can easily take off tight ones without using much strength. Simply insert the fine edge into the gap between the case and the caseback, and you can pry it up easily.

To close these types of watch cases, you will just line up the back and apply pressure with your thumb and fingers with a good squeeze. Make sure if there’s a notch in the lid, that it fits over the stem properly.

 

Screw In Caseback

A screw in caseback with threads will require special tools, and you may need to have a special opener depending on the design. 

 

 

To open the caseback, you can try to use a rubber ball opener or a suction-type caseback opener. A friction ball will use its tacky surface to create a large contact area with the caseback. Meanwhile, a suction-type caseback opener will create a vacuum pressure to grip the caseback.

 

 

You just place the opener on the caseback and hold the watch by hand, then press the opener hard on the back to have a better grip and turn the watch caseback counterclockwise to loosen.

These openers are good choices for beginners as they will help to prevent scratching the caseback. However, in case your casebacks are too tight, you can try other types of openers such as two-pins/three-pins caseback openers.

 

Caseback with Screws

 

Lastly, if the caseback has screws, you’ll need a screwdriver with the right width and thickness for a good grip.

To remove the caseback, turn the screws anticlockwise to loosen them. When all the screws loosened, these can be easily taken off the caseback.

While these kinds of casebacks are relatively rare, they are out there, and you will need to have the right tools for the job. 

 

Wrap up

There are loads of great watch mods out there, and at namokiMODS, we have great watch mod parts for any project you can imagine. With Seiko Mod Watches, your imagination is the limit - so let us help you with the right parts to bring your ideas to life!