# How do I open my pocketwatch?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-my-pocketwatch/232896>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 6, 2004, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-my-pocketwatch/232896 "2004-03-06T22:06:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-my-pocketwatch/232896/1 "2004-03-06T22:06:40Z")

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I’ve got a pocketwatch, quite new (6 months) but not worn for 2-3 months, a full hunter, and the cover won’t open. If I depress the button on the stalk, the cover should spring open, but it doesn’t. I can’t get a fingernail underneath; I’ve also tried with a jeweller’s screwdriver (carefully, of course), I’ve tried warming it in my hands in case it’s air pressure or coldness, I’ve tried winding the spring, but the dratted thing stays resolutely shut.

So what’s happenned and how do I open it such that I can close it and re-open it again?

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**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-my-pocketwatch/232896/2 "2004-03-06T23:44:25Z")

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Head for the jeweler or store where it came from. I’m assuming it’s got at least some semblance of a warranty - let the store/jeweler take the risk of scratching or damaging it.

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**Author:** ![Willmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ad7895/32.png) [@Willmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Willmore)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2004, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-my-pocketwatch/232896/3 "2004-03-07T12:04:14Z")

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if you really need it open, try looking for a very small hole on the reverse side. Ususally closer to the bottom, not all watches have them, so it’s not guaranteed. Anyway, if you find that hole, use a pin, or a needle, or some other such object, to press it, it might take a nice push, and a quick hold.

Well, hope it helps, if it doesn’t, go to a jeweler.