How to close snap off watch cover without watch press 

I'll try it tomorrow, my damn thumbs hurt like hell from pressing for the past two hours.

6 years later and this still is helping people, thank you!! I even used a pair of scissors and a dish towel and did this, never thought about applying straight pressure like that to close it. My dumbass was trying to push it in with my thumbs and it was not going😂

Hubby has been trying for ages to get the back back on his watch and he's been driving me nuts. I've told him over and over, take it to a jeweller and get it put back on, but no, he's an awkward sod who insists "I'll get it done, I'll sort it out". I showed him this video and his answer was "I've looked at all of those videos and none of them work". I've just put the back on his watch after watching this! I'm really not sure if he's pissed off or happy, but at least he'll shut up about it now 😁 Thanks for helping a going out of her head wife 😊

YOU are the lifesaver! My old Casio watch was just wasting away uncovered for 2 years and now I finally was able to cover it back after 15 secs watching your video, thank you very much!!

Legit. Even pressure equally distributed is the key. I struggled for half an hour before you showed me what I was doing wrong. Many thanks.

Mine took a 12 inch long wrench but it worked after a few attempts. Brilliant.. it's not often you learn something very useful. Hats off to you mate and many thanks.

I tried so many ways to put the back cover of a fine Timex ladies watch (similar in the video), but nothing worked. Then followed your video, I have a similar ranch, and voila - it worked like a charm. The trick is to put pressure on the edges of the cover, and not in the middle, and this ranch handle has middle section is lower/valley - to do the trick. Thank you so much.

My initial problem was this is a ring watch, and the band wasn’t allowing the back plate to get under the stretch of the band. I had a friend gently stretch the band away just enough for me to line up the notch with the stem. I put the glass side down on a towel, used the wrench for pressure, and it worked!! You rock!! Thank you SO much for this post!! 🌹

Thank you so much for this video! I was struggling badly to get the backs on again for the 4 watches I replaced batteries in. You saved me from unneeded costs and unwanted frustration!

I've watched about 6 vids up to now and yours is the only one that has actually shown me what I need to know about putting the back on after changing the battery! cheers mate, great job!!!

This is the FIRST video of a few that actually pointed out that the little notch should be aligned with the winder. Thank u.

Worked for me. Today I changed the battery in my wife's watch. I had no problem getting the cover off but struggled trying to get it back on. With only 10 minutes before she had to leave for work I found your video and was finally able to get the cover back on. Thanks for the tip it was very helpful.

It worked like a charm! I prefer replacing my own batteries,but then I realized I have on my hands a very stubborn back on a diesel watch. After man handling it for a few hours I just let it wait till the next day to come up with ideas,and here I am. I kept a shirt folded underneath the watch on my dinner table and carefully and slowly was able to snap the back on the watch with this method (gentle sea-saw motion-rocking left and right). It took 2-3 tries. Id say to pick a sturdy place like a kitchen table. Thank you very much for this idea. Tip : Dont try to hurry this process and Id say dont try this on a Rolex though :)

For raised glass or curved design there is a risk to damage the glass. There should be some minor mod done to accommodate the glass clearance space before attempting. Thanks for the share buddy

Thank you! Was able to close the back cover of my watch after following your tip. tried to hammer it several times to no avail 😁. thanks again!❤️🇯🇵

I used a bare metal crescent wrench and a paper towel (folded 6X). It was really tough and required huge force. I thought I was going to damage it. After several attempts it finally closed. I did not hear a pop. It left impressions in a stiff plastic mousepad. I think the value of the video is for encouragement and faith that it can be done.

I did my research online and here on youtube and I tried several of them and I want to THANK YOU your process and concept really worked and for all people saying it doesn't all that I can say is they are not doing it right and they are not following your instruction. Once again I THANK YOU! I was giving up when I found you and your procedure so simple and the tools needed so basic and handy...

Brilliant! Thank you! I had tried to snap the back of my watch on for 45 minutes with no luck...this worked so well I was able to change the battery in 4 more watches!

Thanks! Was tired of waiting for my husband to fix my watch for me....and your advice helped me do it all by myself! Thanks SO much.

straight pressure - smart! much less chance of breaking the crystal. Worked like a charm...Instead of using straight pressure I put pressure on one edge then slowly rocked the wrench over and continued pressure on the other side. WORKED PERFECTLY - thanks

Wow. Just wow. Had 3 watches sitting on my bench with the backs off cause I was too weak to snap them back on. This worked like a charm! Thanks sooooo much!

Thank you so much for this. I struggled yesterday trying to tap it back in using gentle pressure with a hammer. I came across this video today and used a rolling pin to pop it back in, and it worked like magic.

After many tries on a Kenneth Cole watch (curved crystal) using just thumbs, I realized that's impossible. Then saw and followed ALEX's video. Used 3/4" newspaper under face, then marked stem location with marker. Used 6" rubber handle wrench (longer would be better but 6" one was fine) First few tries was no go - but THEN I REMEMBERED THE TIP >> Always apply pressure at ONE END of the wrench and then ROCK OVER to the other end - and then suddenly it SNAPPED - first time. So DO NOT try to apply EVEN pressure at both ends of wrench. Too much and you will surely break the glass! I doubt I used more than 8-15 lbs of pressure with a rocking motion. Thanks Alex. Awesome :-)))

Brilliant. I got the watch open, changed the battery and couldn't get it closed again. Was worried I'd have to buy a press. This video is a lifesaver. Cheers.

I used the handle end of my toothbrush on top of my watch instead of a wrench. And then I hammered on the toothbrush because I didn't have enough body weight to apply pressure. The concept worked!! Thank you!

Thank u! I did it with the wrench - just like your demo! My newly bought closing press is USELESS.... You are brilliant !

This technique closed my beautiful SKAGEN back cover back on after I couldn't get the cover back on for 3 months ... my wrist is styling once again. Thanks man!!!!

Dropped my Timex about a year ago and the back popped off and the second had stopped moving. I've been trying with much aggravation to get it back on. Tried this and it worked right away, and now the second hand is working again! Double win! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks! You've saved me! I couldn't close the darn thing no matter how hard I tried! This technique has helped.

I have a watch I'd been working on for weeks. Your method really worked. Thanks so much.

I've always replaced watch batteries and sometimes even fixed a bit more complicated things. Today was the first time I ever face a problem putting the back cover on gain. I tried many things (even damaged it slightly!!!).... But this trick worked really well! it was so easy. the wrench I have is not padded so I just used some masking tape instead. Thanks for the tip !

I was struggling to get the back cover on but your technique saved the day for me. It has worked so well for every watch ive opened. Thank you

I’ve been trying to get my watch back in for hours, watched your video, worked perfectly. Thank you!!! I was going insane!!

Thanks! I didn't have a suitable wrench (or anything flat and rigid), but you inspired me to use a metal clamp, the kind you use to pin wood or other materials to a surface before cutting them, and it worked well. Just make sure that the clamp is perfectly centered to the lid when you apply pressure. Thanks again, this was great help!

THANK YOU. I had been struggling for nearly an hour with this and tried some other tutorials that didn’t work. This one worked within seconds!!

Thanks, it worked after two tries. People need to make sure that you use something like newspaper as he did under the watch glass as it needs a firm surface with a little give. I failed the first time because I had to much cushion underneath the glass as I was worried about breaking it.

Excellent tip! Was surprised by how much pressure was required but worked a treat :)

I was so confused and was about to just give up and tape the battery in lol! You saved the day!

can confirm this works! Struggled for half an hour and then saw this, it helped me a lot!! thank you!

Spent over an hour trying to snap the back on, then I found your Vid, worked a treat. Had to change my underpants when I heard the ominous "crack" though. Looked at another tip with a set of pliars, (the handle force pressing the back in) but this did not work. Watch cover put on watch in 2 minutes, your a star. Thanks for your expertise, appreciated. CHEERS.

Cracked the glass on my GF-s watch, these are maybe my last words...

3 times trying... Finally was a succes!! Thank you for this tutorial!!! FIRST --- was my own personal try with multiple back cover positions, alone thinking... no chance :(((, SECOND --- was after i saw your video, on a newspaper (with multiple pages under) I pushed with a flat metal tube, flat tube (diameter is a rectangular) with cotton towel around it, i pushed directly ON the back cover! (directly and perpendicular) hmmm pushed again directly and perpendicular with all my 80 kilos.....HMMM no chance!! :(((( and I watched again the vidoe more carefully and... THIRD --- same position, good centrated and... the secret is when you push is not doing directly and perpendicular, the secret is to a very little movement right-left and click was closed!! A good sugestion is that the OBJECT you use to push (silicon, wood or wood-metal with towell... doesn't matter) to be LONG more than 20cm 30-40cm!! like a ruler and your hands to be more ... to the extremity of this long object... SUCCESS!! to everyone!

This worked great for me. In fact Alexis' tip was proven to be the best way. I didn't want to go out to the garage to get my long handle wrench so I tried various other implements first. Nothing would get the back to snap back on. Once I went to the garage and found my long handled adjustable wrench and tried again...voila! Snapped into place. Many thanks.

Thank you! This saved me a trip to the jeweler. So happy when I found the right battery and so frustrated when I couldn't get the cover back on. You solved it!

Thank you very much for posting this. I used a wrench and was able to close the back of a Skagen watch with no problem. Great advice!

Super useful! Thank you! We used a rolling pin and the tip about newspaper is spot on. Great stuff :D

Thank you. I don't have a wrench like yours, but I tried your method with a hammer handle which is made of wood and it worked just fine.

After reading about the fragility of Skagen watch backs, I am so glad to have found this video. I do not want to use a mechanical press! Thankx so much for the tip!

Awesome instructions! I used a wooden rolling pin to press the back down and it worked great.

Fantastic tip man... I had been looking for long for this kind of simple tip for long. I even broke a crystal trying wrong way !!... Wish you good luck and may more good ideas come to you mind to simplify living :)

Thank you so much! I thought I'd tried everything to get that closed and this method worked within seconds! Perfect.

THANK YOU! Worked! Bought this watch 10 years ago and battery died years n years ago. havnt worn a watch in many years and batteries just came and went right to your video to do this it. Took a few tries, some strength and all my weight. I used a piece of hickory I use for smoking.

Thx mate, I was finnally able to snap that back cover thx to your tip.

that click you hear, is the back clipping in..or your glass cracking..lol

still helping 8 years later😁😁.. I was struggling too until I saw this... I was amazed at how little pressure it took.. I was afraid of breaking the glass too so I tried just a little pressure. grateful. If I did have a glass that wasn't flat I could have made a a dip in the surface I was pressing against... in the end it was so quick and easy. 👍👍

I use to sell watch batteries in a place I worked many many years ago in high school. Customers would ask me to change the battery and I would. This was back when the faces were glass and could crack and scratch easily. I could pop the back on with my thumbs on worse case the heel of my hand with a towel underneath. That said I have NEVER had such a hard time getting the back plate back on the watch. The idea I had to use a wrench to do it was crazy talk to me. I actually had to do it FOUR times because I couldn't believe I could put that much pressure on the watch without smashing the "glass". Thanks dude. You have me the courage to just go for it. Push crazy hard and put my weight into it.

I tried this with a drop forged 1/8 inch thick steel wrench. I pressed down with all my strength lifting myself off the ground even. The cover would not snap back on and I now have a bent wrench. WTF?

I tried this. Now in addition to the back lid being still open, my glass is also snapped in half and i have a bent hammer.

Thanks buddy! I managed to get it off and change the battery but couldn't get it to snap back on - your wrench trick worked perfectly!

I do mine with a towel at the bottom folded about 3 times to make sure I won’t brake the glass. I never had a problem doing that. Instead of the wrench 🔧 I use a piece of wood and a coin between the watch and the wood. Nice video. ^_^

This truly depends on what type of watch you have. It should be referenced in the description or better yet, the title! I destroyed my watch trying this. I even used extra padding, not just newspaper, still didn't work, then poof the glass cracked.

Great tip, did this and broke the glass on my mothers watch... 100% wouldn't try again!

Great tool to use. After struggling for 15 minutes, I grabbed the wrench and got it on in seconds. Thanks for posting!

Thank you! Finally a smart watch video that actually tells you stuff!

Thanks! I was so frustrated before I watched this video. Sooo basically I need brute force to get the back on... lol

First attempt crushed the top glass cover and the second attempt, after removing the crushed glasses, succeeded. Used a meat cleaver.

Thanks so much for your video! I had acquired my late fathers older wind-up Timex and I took the back off to clean it but couldn’t get it back on. I watched your video and your technique worked like a charm!

Woohoo. Worked for me too! I couldn't put so much body pressure. So, I placed the rubber handle of my wrench, and gave a strong smack with a hammer. Worked. Thanks!

this method caused my screen to crack

if your cristal is flat works perfectly if it's round press with caution

Here's what I did. Placed a towel on the hard surface, than watch upside down and used rubber handle screwdriver. Pressed on one side of handle first and shifted my weight on the other side and it took few trial to make it work. But it did work. Thanks for video.

I was very nervous when you took out the wrench.....but am happy to report that it worked a treat! Great video 😁👍👍

thank you so much bro ... you saved me money and time.

As a jeweler and a watchmaker, let me give you a tip! You are going to break the glass if you do this!!!! You are going to mess up your watch trying to save a few bucks!

Bro you save my life, i was strugling almost hour, i searched for the solution and boy u made it so easy. You are genious. God bless you!

After three years, I tried this. I used a towel under the glass, the handle of a hammer, and had to step on the damn thing, but I finally got it to SNAP! Thank you. Now I have to replace the battery.

Mannnnn! My glass shattered!

Thanks Man! Really helped

Thanks for making the video. In my case the watch was a Raymond Weil ladies. I placed the chrystal side on a knit placemat to protect and help distribute the load. I used the flat side of a paintbrush handle to bear down. I must admit I must have pressed down with roughly 60lbs pressure before it snapped on.

Thank you! So glad I watched before I attempted to put the back on 10 more times without success!! Very helpful!

Broke my glass. Do not use this method.

I tried various methods described by others. None worked. This method, using a wrench worked. Thanks

I used the handle of a hammer to close the back. I've been trying to close that watch for hours. thank you!!

7 years later now, and it worked for me. Thank you so much!

Glad to know that I'm not the first one feeling mad over not being able to put it back!

Thanks for this video. I have 2 watch’s I had dropped and the backs popped off and couldn’t get them back on. After I watched your video. It took me 2 minutes to fix them. I used a much smaller wrench and a thick layer of paper towels under the glass, the trick is to just press hard enough to snap it on. For all the people saying they are breaking the glass. _don’t hulk press it_

Wish i had watched your video first before wasting half a day, getting it wrong, and almost breaking my watch. After watching, the back went on in 15 second, thank you!!

OH MY GOD!! THANK YOU! I could not get the back of my Amitron watch on and I was ready to start hitting it with a hammer! Three seconds after putting the watch on a folded tea towel and using the wrench it was closed. THANK YOU...THANK YOU!

At first I thought you were going to do something really ugly with that wrench, but the trick is ingenious! It worked great for me too. Many thanks.

I was afraid to apply pressure to the small watch, but this video helps a lot 👍

I, too, struggled for a bit. But got the newspaper and click, it worked. Saved a few bucks. But now know how to get it done! Thank you.

I owned several watches and one of my watches was a pain in the ass to snap the cover back on. It was a very nice watch too. I was frustrated while trying to snap it back on with my fingers until it became sore. I gave up the other day but today I decided to try it again. I came across your video and decided to give it a shot. I used the wrench and a sock, rather than a newspaper lol. The damn thing finally snapped closed. I can't thank you enough. I'll know what to do next time.

I was going crazy trying to put the back on. You saved my sanity. Thank You !

Thanks. After I failed even with sharp taps with a hammer I googled and found your "wrench method" and it worked fairly easily, BUT before I tried that way I put the watch-cover in the freezer to shrink it. To get the back OFF I got help from a bloke who first failed with the proper prising tool in his hand. Then he put the watch in a small plastic mortice had to put the tool in the groove and tap with an hammer and even then he had trouble twisting. I was going to lube the cover with graphite for next time but googled and read that graphite can pit some stainless steels.

Thanks for the video! This worked for me. I was getting frusterated trying to use pliers and wrenches (no jeweler near me). I unfortunately scratched my watch up a bit. I tried this as a last resort and miraculously it worked!!! Note of caution to others, I have a flat faced watch with steel frame.

Thanks for this video. Your suggestion of using the rubber covered wrench was the wisest I came across.

Thanks mate ...... Helped to save my wife's watch ..... Worked like a charm.... Only suggestion is to use it on a narrow surface than a wide one so that when you apply pressure on ranch the distribution of pressure will be centred towards back of watch.

Damn son. I'm mind-blown because it works!!! I used a metal wrench and didn't hear the click sound but when I examined, the snap-off watch cover went in! AMAZING.

Thank you. This was very helpful. I worked on it for an hour and was so frustrated. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Worked great! Remember the newspaper or something , not only to save the face from scratching but to give a little resistance so as not to break it.