Put back of watch on after changing battery

Annie1960

I have a Rotary watch - not worth much, but I like it and it has sentimental value.

I put a new battery in recently. I got the back off by using a very small screwdriver to pop it off. Now I can't get the back on again.

Any tips or ideas how I can do this without breaking the glass? 

inspectorperez

You may well need a watch press set, something like this item advertised on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zacro-Closer-Watchmaker-Repair-Fitting/dp/B073GSTQRR/ref=sr_1_33?c=ts&keywords=Repair+Tools+&+Kits&qid=1687171910&s=apparel&sr=1-33&ts_id=199486031

I recently went through my collection of day to day watches and changed batteries in the whole lot. Some were quite easy, but one or two required this device which I found quite easy to use.

There are plenty of helpful videos on YouTube

twopenny

Ask someone with strong hands.

I had this problem and kept going back to it. Eventually it popped back on.

Even ask someone who does this, usually cabins around town, and give a small renumineration or donation to charity.

chrisw

I've managed to do it previously by wrapping the watch in a cloth and carefully squeezing it together with water pump pliers. Press on the frame rather than the glass.

km1500

if worst comes to worst pop into someone like Timpsons and ask them to do it

Annie1960

inspectorperez said:

You may well need a watch press set, something like this item advertised on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zacro-Closer-Watchmaker-Repair-Fitting/dp/B073GSTQRR/ref=sr_1_33?c=ts&keywords=Repair+Tools+&+Kits&qid=1687171910&s=apparel&sr=1-33&ts_id=199486031

I recently went through my collection of day to day watches and changed batteries in the whole lot. Some were quite easy, but one or two required this device which I found quite easy to use.

There are plenty of helpful videos on YouTube

Thanks, I'll try one of these.

Belenus

I have a few watches that had difficult to replace backs.

I have gently filed the rim of the backs until they can be replaced without too much force. 

Don't overdo it or the back may not stay in place.

vacheron

The "grip style" presses recommended above can work very well for the odd job, but if anyone on this thread were planning on doing more casebacks (or possibly glass) replacementsin the future I would also consider a screw down press which allows more force and more control and are also a lot more rigid, but also a bit more expensive.