Opening a watch and removing the movement: How to do it safely

Do you have a watch with a speck of dust on the inside of the glass? A tiny spot you can no longer ignore? Do you want to take the movement out of the case because you want to clean the inside of the glass, check a component, or for some other reason? If so, it’s best to visit a jeweller or watchmaker. But if you’re handy, the watch is no longer under warranty, and you think you can manage this yourself? Then you can get started straight away with our tips! But please note: when it comes to watches, working carefully is absolutely essential. One wrong move can damage the crown, the movement, the gasket or even the mechanism itself.

A simple job, isn’t it? Or is it?

With many quartz watches, removing the movement is broadly the same: first you open the case, remove the plastic holder around the movement if necessary, unscrew the crown, take the movement out of the case, clean the glass and then put everything back together in reverse order. It sounds straightforward, but it’s the details that make the difference between working carefully and causing damage. So much for the theory.

When should you open the movement?

Opening the watch may be necessary for various reasons. Think of checking the inside of the case, replacing a battery, inspecting a gasket or reattaching a loose part. But removing the movement (complete with dial) is a bit trickier. The most common reason for doing this is a smudge or speck of dust on the inside of the glass. This is particularly noticeable on a dark-coloured dial. Alternatively, a repair to the hands or hour markers may be the reason.

If you are working on a watch from one of the well-known collections of men’s or women’s watches, the basic principles are often the same. Nevertheless, the construction varies by brand and model. With a simple quartz model, this task is still reasonably manageable. With an automatic watch or a model with higher water resistance, the risk of errors is greater.

Not every watch is suitable for opening yourself

A simple quartz watch with a steel caseback is usually the most accessible option for beginners. But if you’re dealing with an automatic movement, a diver’s watch, a model with a screw-down crown or a watch with complex gaskets, more experience is advisable. Even with watches from well-known brands such as Seiko, Citizen or Orient, the construction can vary significantly from model to model. And if your watch is still under warranty, you should definitely not try to tinker with it yourself.

It is important to realise that a watch is not automatically waterproof again once the case has been closed. A gasket may have shifted, been damaged or no longer seal properly. This is a crucial point for anyone wishing to tinker with their watch themselves. 

What do you need to work safely

You don’t need a fully equipped workshop, but you do need a tidy and clean workspace. Think of a soft cloth, good lighting, a case opener, a fine-tipped pin or small screwdriver, plastic tweezers, a small bellows and a clean microfibre cloth. The most important thing is to work in a dust-free and quiet environment. Opening a watch on a messy table or in a dusty room is asking for more dirt rather than less.

Always work with as little force as possible

That is perhaps the most important rule. Virtually every part of a watch is small and precision-made. As soon as something doesn’t cooperate straight away, you mustn’t push or pull any harder. That is usually the moment when damage occurs.

Step 1. Open the case

The back of a watch can be secured in various ways. Sometimes it is a screw-down case back, sometimes a snap-on back, and sometimes a back secured with small screws. Always use tools that are suitable for the type of case. This prevents scratches, slipping and deformation of the case.

When you open the case, pay immediate attention to the rubber gasket. It may be inside the back cover or in a groove in the case. Do not touch it unnecessarily and take note of how it is positioned. This will make it much easier to put it back later.

Step 2. If necessary, remove the plastic holder from the movement

In many watches, the movement is housed in a plastic ring or casing. This holder ensures that the movement sits securely and correctly within the case. Carefully remove it and take a good look at how it was positioned. If necessary, take a photo with your phone before removing anything. This is no luxury, as such a ring often only fits back in one way.

Pay close attention to the position of the opening for the crown

The holder usually has a recess for the stem and the crown. If this is not positioned correctly later on, you will encounter problems when reinserting the movement or when pressing the crown. In the case of a chronograph, the holder often contains small components that must align precisely with the movement; otherwise, the chronograph push-buttons will not function.

Step 3. Loosen the crown and stem

For many people, this is the most nerve-wracking part. On many quartz movements, there is a small pressure point, lever or indentation next to the stem. Whilst pressing this very lightly with a fine pin or small screwdriver, carefully pull the crown and stem outwards.

There is one golden rule here. Never use force. The stem should come loose without any force. If you have to pull hard, you’ve probably not found the correct release point, or your watch uses a different system.

Not every movement works the same way

Some timepieces do not have a pressure point but a small screw that you need to loosen slightly to release the stem. Never unscrew such a screw completely unless you know exactly what you are doing. Otherwise, you could disrupt the crown mechanism, and a simple cleaning job suddenly turns into a proper repair job.

Step 4. Remove the movement from the case

Once the stem has been removed, you can usually carefully remove the movement from the case. Hold the movement only by the sides and touch the hands and dial as little as possible. These are delicate parts that can easily be marked or damaged.

Work calmly and preferably use plastic tweezers or support the movement carefully with your fingers at the edge. The aim is simple: the movement must be removed without bending, touching or moving anything that does not need to be touched.

Step 5. Clean the inside of the glass

Now that the movement is out of the case, you can clean the inside of the crystal. First, use a small blower to blow away loose dust. If anything remains visible, use a clean microfibre cloth or a suitable cleaning material for delicate watch movements. Always work carefully and without applying pressure.

It is best not to use kitchen roll, a handkerchief or your bare fingers. These can easily transfer fibres, grease or new smudges. It would be a shame if, after carefully removing the movement, you were to leave a new fingerprint on the inside of the glass.

Step 6. Replace the movement in the case

After cleaning, prepare the case again, ensuring it is free of dust. Then gently place the movement back into the correct position. Make sure the opening for the stem is properly aligned with the case tube. If the movement is crooked, replacing the crown almost always goes wrong.

Next, replace the plastic holder or movement ring. Check that everything fits snugly and is not jammed. It is precisely this component that ensures the movement sits securely in the case.

Step 7. Push the crown with stem back in

With many quartz watches, you can simply push the stem back into the movement. It usually clicks into place by itself. This should be a smooth process. Push straight down without using force. If you feel resistance, first check that the movement is positioned correctly and that the opening is properly aligned.

Then test immediately whether the crown is still working properly. Can you adjust the time normally? Does the crown switch between positions smoothly? Is everything running as it should? If so, you know that the stem has been correctly reinserted.

Also check the date function

If your watch has a date or day display, test that as well. This way, you’ll immediately notice whether the crown and stem are making proper contact with the movement again.

Step 8. Check the rubber gasket

Before closing the case, check the rubber gasket. Is it still sitting neatly in the groove? Is it clean? Can you see any cracks, drying out or deformation? A gasket that doesn’t fit properly can allow dirt and moisture to enter the case later on.

If you have a watch that you often wear in the rain, during sport or for everyday use, this is an especially important point. Take a look at our collection of diving watches and water-resistant watches if you’re looking for models that are inherently more resistant to moisture and intensive use.

Step 9. Secure the case properly

Place the back cover straight back onto the case. Gently screw the cover shut or press the snap-on cover evenly back into place, depending on the type of watch. Again, it is important to work carefully and with control. Closing it crookedly or pressing too hard will only cause problems.

After closing, check once more that the crown is secure, that the watch is running smoothly, and that there is no dust or smudges visible under the glass.

The most common mistakes

• Using too much force
  People who are in a hurry or get frustrated often use too much force. With watches, this is almost never the right solution.
• Pressing the wrong lever
  A watch contains several small parts situated close together. If you press the wrong spot, you could cause damage.
• Forgetting the gasket or fitting it crookedly
  A poorly fitted gasket can lead to moisture problems later on and compromise the watch’s reliability.
• Thinking that ‘sealed’ always means ‘waterproof’
  A closed case is not automatically the same as a waterproof case. This is an important distinction, particularly with older watches, watches rated water-resistant from 10ATM and diving watches. 

Which watches is this blog relevant for

This explanation is particularly useful for people with a simpler quartz watch. With more luxurious or mechanical models, you’re more likely to be better off consulting a specialist.

If you’re still looking for a new model or want to compare different styles, do take a look at our collections of watches, automatic watches and chronograph watches.