The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Does this work as advertised?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

"HORB it's a BALL. The Safe & Easy way to remove casebacks. Squeeze, press, and turn and remove even stubborn waterproof casebacks with ease. Completely safe for all finishes - will not scratch or mark. Great alone or in addition to a bench-mounted caseback opener. Extremely 'sticky' surface for maximum gripping strength."

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Chronomat :: Evolution Red | Evolution Frecce Tricolori | Longitude
Navitimer :: Montbrillant Eclipse | Old II | Current
Professional :: B-1 | B-2 w UTC
Colt :: GMT

If I am travelling to a sale I'll take a ball with me to open screwback cases rather than carry my Jaxa style opener with me and they usually work pretty well - you don't need a fancy one - just a regular rubber ball. Carpet tape also works.

All that said, I only use it for opening vintage watches that I am looking to buy, I would never dream of opening the back of one of my Breitlings.

Guyz, I'm obviously not the brightest, how does that work?

Cheers

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Currently:
Avenger Skyland(Black)
Super Avenger(White)

Moved on:
Montbrillant Legende(Silver)
Panerai 312
SOHC 125th Ann. LE(Silver)
Navitimer World(Pearl)
Panerai 441

Just friction I suppose. Press the ball on the caseback and twist. Like one of this jar opener-grip thingies.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

Correct.

You have to press fairly hard sometimes, but it works with most.

I actually use a cat / small dog toy that looks like a mini basketball. The dimples on the surface seem to help with the grip.

I guess the trick is to overcome initial stage of the turn, once the case back starts moving - one can finish opening without any tool, just bare fingers will do.

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Chronomat :: Evolution Red | Evolution Frecce Tricolori | Longitude
Navitimer :: Montbrillant Eclipse | Old II | Current
Professional :: B-1 | B-2 w UTC
Colt :: GMT

Roff mentioned carpet tape, but I've used Selotape wrapped around my hand a couple of times and that works just as well too.

And to echo Roff, I'd never dream of popping the back on any of my "decent" watches - only old beaters. But that's just me.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I use carpet tape on stubborn screw backs on pocket watches. I always use the proper case tool for screw backs that are designed to be opened with a tool. When I'm at a show, I always ask the seller to open the case if I want to see the movement. If they refuse, I pass. I never open the case on someone elses watch unless I have it on my bench for service.

I'll never forget an auction I attended a few years ago. The watch was a grand complication pocket watch. When I asked to see it, the auction house worker handed it to me and told me one of the lookers had popped the bezel off the watch and the crystal came out. Not good. As it turned out, it was a very low grade movement from an unknown maker (piece of junk) not worth my time. It sold for over $9,000 plus the BP. Talk about buyer's remorse! I'm sure the new owner was surprised to learn the value when he had the crystal replaced.

Which leads me to question why you want to open the case unless you're a watchmaker. You are only asking for trouble when you expose the movement. If you can touch the watch and examine it with a magnifier, you should have a pretty good idea about the authenticity without opening it. If it's a fake, you are going to pass on it anyway. Why assume the additional risk? If it's your watch, you can do whatever you want with it but a slight mistake could get expensive. At a minimum the gasket should be lubricated, if not replaced, before reinstalling the back.

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

Very wise words indeed.

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Driver8

Site Moderator