Alright, so the other day, my trusty Bulova decided to take a nap. Battery, most likely. I’ve got a bit of a tinkerer in me, always have. Remember taking apart my dad’s old radio when I was a kid? He wasn’t too pleased, but hey, that’s how you learn, right? So, I figured, why not try to open this watch myself? Save a trip to the jeweler, maybe learn something.
Figuring Out the Back Type
First things first, I grabbed the watch and took a good, long look at its backside. Not all watch backs are created equal, you know. Some you gotta twist off, they have these little notches around the edge. Others, like many Bulovas I’ve encountered, are snap-on backs. They just press into place. Mine looked like one of those. Smoother, mostly, but I was looking for a tell-tale sign.
I ran my fingernail around the edge where the back case meets the main body of the watch. Sometimes, you can feel a tiny little pry spot, a small indentation or a slightly wider gap. It’s often opposite the crown, but not always, so you gotta be patient and look carefully. Took me a minute or two of turning it under the light. Found it! Just a tiny little lip, barely noticeable.
Gathering My “Tools”
Now, I don’t have a fancy watch repair kit. Let’s be honest, most of us don’t. I’ve seen those kits online, with all the tiny screwdrivers and spudgers. Maybe one day. For this job, I needed something thin and sturdy, but not sharp enough to gouge the metal badly or, heaven forbid, slip and scratch the watch or myself.
- My first thought was a tiny flathead screwdriver, like for eyeglasses.
- Then I considered a dull, thin knife blade – one of those utility ones that isn’t too sharp.
I settled on a very small, thin precision flathead screwdriver. It seemed like the best bet to get into that tiny lip without doing much damage. I also grabbed a soft cloth to put the watch on, just to avoid scratching the crystal on my table.
The Actual Opening Process
Okay, moment of truth. I laid the watch face down on the cloth. Held it steady with one hand. With the other, I took my little screwdriver and carefully positioned the tip right into that small lip I’d found earlier. The key here is gentle but firm pressure. You’re not trying to force it like you’re prying open a paint can.
I applied a bit of upward leverage, sort of wiggling it slightly. For a second, nothing. Then, I felt a little give. I kept the pressure steady, and POP! The back came off. It wasn’t dramatic, just a clean little pop. Success! It’s always a good feeling when something comes apart the way it’s supposed to.
Inside, there was the battery, just as I suspected. And all the tiny, intricate workings of the watch. Always amazes me how much tech they cram into such a small space. It’s like a tiny city in there.
A Quick Note on Closing
After I (theoretically, for this story!) swapped the battery, putting the back on was pretty straightforward for this type. You just line it up – sometimes there’s a little notch or pin to align – and then press it down firmly and evenly. I usually use my thumbs, pressing on opposite sides, until I hear or feel a solid click. You want to make sure it’s sealed all the way around.
So, there you have it. That was my little adventure in opening a Bulova watch. It’s not rocket science, but you do need a bit of patience and a gentle touch. It reminds me of the time I tried to fix our old toaster. That didn’t go as smoothly, ended up with more springs on the table than in the toaster. But this watch thing? Totally manageable. Just take your time and be careful with your tools!
