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Looking for a relatively affordable case back opener

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pdsf
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Looking for a relatively affordable case back opener

Post by pdsf »

Hi all, I know "affordable" is all relative. :) I have come across case back openers are that meant to be good, such as:
Screenshot 2020-09-20 102346.png
and [mention]tjcdas[/mention] wrote a review on another one: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1659#p55342

Have members had good experience with cheaper alternatives? I have a vintage Seiko VFA and want to change the battery myself. I think this is probably one of the easier ones to open so I might not need to buy a posh case back opener.
VFA back.jpg
I am guessing a rubber ball option like this would not work.
Screenshot 2020-09-20 102243.png
On a related note, I have a GS 9F and I'd love to be able to put in a new battery when the current one runs low. I asked for quotes from a few places last year and they wanted to charge me double because it's a GS even though they didn't need to do anything special to replace the battery....

Many thanks in advance for any input or advice you have! A total newbie here when it comes to doing anything to watches apart from wearing them.
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Re: Looking for a relatively affordable case back opener

Post by TheJohnP »

Rubber ball all day, every day.
Should work easily on that style of battery cover.
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Re: Looking for a relatively affordable case back opener

Post by tjcdas »

A Duct tape ball works wounders also for the small battery door one of those $5 two prong openers should do.
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Re: Looking for a relatively affordable case back opener

Post by mplsabdullah »

x35 on the rubber ball. Although I don't open many casebacks it's always worked when I needed it to. I don't see why it wouldn't work for what you need.

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Re: Looking for a relatively affordable case back opener

Post by watchpalooza »

Ever since [mention]TheJohnP[/mention] convinced my to try the rubber ball, it is my first choice. Great for opening all sizes of all but the tightest casebacks.
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Re: Looking for a relatively affordable case back opener

Post by pdsf »

Thank you all! I thought the rubber ball would not work on a smaller area but I was wrong! I am clumsy so the added bonus of using a rubber ball is it won't scratch anything.

Who would have thought a rubber ball can open case backs?! It must have very good traction. I guess it could double as a stress ball when not used as a case back opener. :)

Thanks again! :)
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Re: Looking for a relatively affordable case back opener

Post by PetWatch »

The rubber ball works great, until it doesn't sometimes, specially on older watches that have not been opened in years. I have been using a cheapie opener that comes in one of those cheapie sets, works great, tolerances are loose so go slow and take your time to get a good grip.

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