Help with new case back style.

Lebete · Oct 27, 2025

I was looking at a watch that I believe to be a 6232 cal 351. I wanted to open it to check the case back and movement and came across something new to me. The case back has flat edges all around the outer portion of the case back. I’ve seen the typical smooth back and the typical screw on with the spots on the back to insert a case back tool but never this. Is it a screw down like a nut, or just a press in?

dsio · Oct 27, 2025

It's a bit hard to see but does look like a keyed back, not a design I'm super familiar with but I was fairly sure these were snap-back. Could you take some more in-focus photos?

hant26 · Oct 27, 2025

Looks like a G6525. You may need a friction ball or a proper tool to open it.

Lebete · Oct 28, 2025

based on hants reply I looked up pics of that ref. My phone takes horrible pics, but I copied a shot of the back of another watch that has an identical back that you can clearly see. It looks to be press in.

gatorcpa · Oct 28, 2025

dsio
It's a bit hard to see but does look like a keyed back, not a design I'm super familiar with but I was fairly sure these were snap-back.

They are technically both.

There is a screw-in ring that secures a drop-in case back.

A watchmaker’s ball isn’t going to work here as the middle part of the caseback doesn’t turn. I have JLC’s and Bulovas with similar set ups.

You have to have the proper tool to grip the outer ring. I’ve opened this kind of case with a Jaxa wrench, but you need to be very, very careful. Especially with a 14K gold case back.

I would go to a watchmaker, and realize that not every watchmaker will have the proper tool.
gatorcpa

Dan S · Oct 28, 2025

You will need to use a wrench on that big multi-sided nut.

Your phone took a perfectly good photo, focused on your hand, not the watch. For photos, back off a bit, tap your finger on the screen to indicate the focus location, and crop the photo afterwards. With practice you can take decent photos with your phone.

Help with new case back style.

Lebete

dsio

hant26

Lebete

gatorcpa

Dan S

Similar threads

Help with new cal 420 2759-9

strap help with new watch seamaster 300 rose gold

Omega Celebrates The Seamaster’s 75th Anniversary In Style With New Seamaster 300 And Diver...

2531.80 enlarged lug holes - laser weld or new case?

Help with new purchase?

3861 New Style Speedmaster Bracelet Fitted on 1861 Case (Pictorial)