Case back die

Gary Ball · Mar 13, 2022

Morning
I have a Omega 41mm Seamaster 300 Quartz and need a case back die. Does anybody know the size I need? I think its the 33mm but not 100% sure
Thanks

Spruce · Mar 13, 2022

Photos of your watch will help 😀

Donn Chambers · Mar 13, 2022

G Gary Ball
Morning
I have a Omega 41mm Seamaster 300 Quartz and need a case back die. Does anybody know the size I need? I think its the 33mm but not 100% sure
Thanks

I have found that the ball case openers work just as well for my purposes. They are also cheaper and you are less likely to mar the back.

https://www.esslinger.com/watch-case-opening-friction-ball-watch-back-opener-tool/

I’d give one of them a try before dropping money on a die for that specific case back.

Gary Ball · Mar 13, 2022

I've tried a few ball case opens and never had any luck. Im have one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...3CHP3&linkId=c5bba5692a8604cfacc14e730a457dca

Very good quality for the money

Gary Ball · Mar 13, 2022

Dan S · Mar 13, 2022

G Gary Ball
I've tried a few ball case opens and never had any luck. Im have one of these.

Very good quality for the money

I also have one of these Chinese clones of the Bergeon 5700, and it has become my go-to opener unless I know that a particular watch is not closed tightly, in which case I will use a standard L-G three-prong tool with the watch held securely in a holder with plastic pins.

I don't know if I'd say the quality of the Chergeon is fantastic, but for someone who opens one or two cases a month, it's fine, and I enjoy using it. For me, it just wasn't worth $750 for the Bergeon given how infrequently I'd use it, and I was willing to take a chance on the $130 item. Of course, only time will tell if it was a good decision if the tool doesn't hold up.

I also bought some of the urethane "suction" dies to go with the press, but I think I haven't quite figured out yet how to use them correctly, they just seem to slip. I will have to ask my watchmaker next time I see him.

Archer · Mar 13, 2022

Dan S
I also bought some of the urethane "suction" dies to go with the press, but I think I haven't quite figured out yet how to use them correctly, they just seem to slip. I will have to ask my watchmaker next time I see him.

Clean both the case back and die with 99% alcohol before you try to open the case...it will remove any oils that will cause the die to slip.

Dan S · Mar 13, 2022

Archer
Clean both the case back and die with 99% alcohol before you try to open the case...it will remove any oils that will cause the die to slip.

Many thanks, Al. I will try that ASAP. I like the idea of using those dies routinely as a first try for a new watch, since they don't require much fiddling and are low risk. Also, they would be useful for watches with asymmetrical backs like the OP, or the multi-faceted case-backs, especially if already damaged.

Gary Ball · Mar 13, 2022

I'm in the UK and only paid about £70 for mine. I've never had a problem with mine and have used Horotec dies which fit perfectly

Archer · Mar 13, 2022

Dan S
Many thanks, Al. I will try that ASAP. I like the idea of using those dies routinely as a first try for a new watch, since they don't require much fiddling and are low risk. Also, they would be useful for watches with asymmetrical backs like the OP, or the multi-faceted case-backs, especially if already damaged.

I use urethane dies 99% of the time, so if they are of good quality they should work. There’s the occasional watch that they don’t work for, but honestly most times they open pretty much any watch.

Case back die

Gary Ball

Spruce

Donn Chambers

Gary Ball

Gary Ball

Dan S

Archer

Dan S

Gary Ball

Archer

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