Edward Hale
Opening a pocket watch is simple once you know which kind of case you are holding. The trick is never to force anything. The right spot and a little patience will open any watch without leaving a mark; brute force is what cracks crystals and bends lids.
I am Edward, and I have opened a few thousand case backs over thirty years at the bench. Let me show you how to open each type safely, the front lid and the back cover, and what to check once you are inside.
- First work out your case: open-face, hunter, snap-on or screw-down.
- A hunter lid usually pops open when you press the crown.
- A snap-on back levers gently from a small notch on the rim.
- A screw-down back turns anticlockwise to come off.
- Never pry at the crystal or force a stiff back; that is how damage happens.
Know your case first
Every safe opening starts with identifying the case. Look at the watch: is the dial already exposed, or under a metal lid? Then turn it over and study the back for a seam, a notch or fine screw threads. This table covers what you will find.
| Case type | How to open it |
|---|---|
| Open-face | The dial is always visible; the back snaps or screws off for the movement |
| Hunter | Press the crown to release the sprung front lid |
| Half-hunter | Read time through the window, or press the crown to open fully |
| Snap-on back | Find the small notch and lever gently with a thumbnail or case knife |
| Screw-down back | Grip and turn anticlockwise; a rubber ball helps a tight one |
★★★★★ 4.7 · 16 reviews
Old Gold Pocket Watch
A classic hunter-style case with a lid that springs open at the crown. Lovely to handle and easy to open right.
Shop now · $69.99Opening a hunter, the front lid
A hunter has a hinged lid protecting the dial. Resist the urge to dig a nail into the seam. Instead, hold the watch in your palm, press the crown straight down with your thumb, and the lid will spring open on its own. The crown is connected to the catch, so this is the way the watch was designed to open. To close it, press the crown again and lower the lid gently rather than snapping it shut, which wears the catch over time.
If you would rather not open a watch at all to enjoy the movement, choose a skeleton design. The dial is cut away so the gears are on show through the front, no opening required.
★★★★★ 4.7 · 17 reviews
Silver Skeleton Pocket Watch
An open dial that shows the movement turning, so you can admire the gears without ever opening the case.
Shop now · $99.99
Opening the back, snap-on or screw-down
To reach the movement or a battery, you open the back cover. First decide which kind it is. A snap-on back has a faint seam and usually a tiny lip or notch on the rim. Rest the watch on a soft cloth, find the notch, and lever very gently with a thumbnail or a proper case knife until it releases with a soft click. A screw-down back has fine threads; grip it firmly and turn anticlockwise, and if it is stubborn, press a soft rubber ball against it for extra grip rather than using pliers.
★★★★★ 4.7 · 15 reviews
Black Mechanical Pocket Watch
Open the back of this one and you can watch a true mechanical movement at work. A satisfying first watch to explore.
Shop now · $69.99Never lever against the crystal or the dial side, and never force a back that will not move. Work on a clean cloth, keep fingers off the movement, and if a case feels seized, let a watchmaker open it rather than risk a slipped blade.
After you open it
Once inside, touch as little as possible. The movement parts are delicate and skin oils attract dust. Take a look, do what you came to do, then close the case promptly to keep dust out. Storing the watch in a soft-lined pocket watch case between wears keeps grit away from the seams so it stays easy to open next time. If you are still learning the parts, my guide on what a pocket watch is names them all.
★★★★★ 4.7 · 12 reviews
Antique Pocket Watch Case
A genuine-leather case that keeps dust and knocks away from your watch between wears. Simple protection that pays off.
Shop now · $29.99Frequently asked questions
Press the crown straight down with your thumb. The crown releases the catch and the front lid springs open. There is no need to pry at the seam.
If it snaps on, lever gently from the small notch on the rim with a thumbnail or case knife. If it screws on, grip and turn anticlockwise, using a rubber ball for extra grip if needed.
Look closely at the back rim. Fine threads mean it screws off; a clean seam with a small lip or notch means it snaps off. When unsure, try a gentle anticlockwise turn before levering.
Often yes. Hunters open at the crown, and many snap-on backs release with a clean thumbnail. For stiff screw-down backs, a soft rubber ball gives grip without scratching.
That is all there is to it. Identify the case, use the crown or the right spot on the back, and let patience do the work. Open a few and it becomes second nature, the same quiet pleasure it has been for collectors for generations.
