I"m here ording a watch face for watch #5, for a client. All of her watches have been made using stretch/elastic cord and all of them are still in fantastic shape. Now, she is not as rough on the watches as others may be, but the stretch cord is better suited to her needs; she has difficulties with clasps. If you will take a couple of extra minutes to think through your design and secure your knot(s), watches made using stretch/elastic cord can have an indefinite life for your client.

I made my 89 yr old mom a watch with a popular elastic. The watch was a special occasion 'one time' wear with a fancy dress. In anticipation of 'once only' wearing, I boldly used a metal crimp bead and cover. 2 years later, she's still wearing the little stretch watch every day and even sleeps in it!!

I have had better luck with heavy elastic cord. I do have to occ. restring when the elastic gets old but I break fewer watch faces because I can get the watch to sit closer on my wrist. When it is looser, on wire with a clasp,
it is so much easier to hit the watch face on something and crack the crystal.
RNmartamai

We would recommend using jewelry wire instead of elastic stretch cord to make a watch. Elastic cord will lose its stretchy quality over time, and this process may be sped up by having a relatively heavy watch face weighing the cord down. Jewelry wire, on the other hand, will not stretch over time and will provide you with a strong, stable foundation for your watch.

To view our free watch designs in our Learning Center, click here:
http://www.artbeads.com/jewelry-design-types-watches.html

Most watch faces have a small ledge, or slot that provides leverage to open the case.

Cheap razor scrapers, such as the ones sold in hardware stores, work well for me. They have a small plastic snap case which houses a single edge razor blade.

Gently slide the razor blade under the slot in the case back. Once you have the blade under the ledge, slowly rotate the razor upward.

You may also have luck wiggling the razor underneath the case back. Gently lever the back off.

You should not have to use a lot of force. If it is too difficult to remove, stop. You don't want to scratch your watch. Try a different technique or visit a jeweler.

If the area where the slot is located does not provide enough leverage, try sliding the razor underneath the right hand side of the case back (the side opposite from the knob that you use to set the time). If you can fit the razor under the back, slowly lift the razor in a clock-wise direction. The back should lift up enough for you to remove it.

If you wish to use something more substantial to open the case, look for an item called a case knife. This is a knife made just for opening watches. The same technique applies.

Most watch faces take a SR626SW battery. This is a 377 battery. Two other popular sizes are SR621SW (364) and SR521SW (379). You can find these batteries at most drug stores.

To lift the battery out of the watch, use plastic tweezers. If you do not have plastic tweezers, metal tweezers work.

Metal is less preferable because there is a small chance that the metal could short out the watch. However, I often use metal tweezers and have never had a problem.

Placing the battery in the watch is relatively easy, but make sure that you do not bend back the little metal strip that sits underneath the battery. This is the contact. If you break it, you will have to either repair or replace the watch.

I hope this information is helpful to you!

I was told to use a small screwdriver (the kind they use on eyeglasses) to open the back. Be careful not to scratch the watch face or backing, though.

There is no such thing as a waterproof watch. Rolex used to use this term, but new restrictions prohibit the use of the word because no watch is really waterproof.

There are degrees of water resistance. The water resistance is stamped on the case back of the watch. On some watches, it is marked on the face.

If a watch does not say anything about water resistance, then do not get the watch wet. It is not equipped to handle any water.

If the watch is marked "water resistant" or 30 meters (3ATM), then it
can handle small splashes of water
(such as when you wash your hands or go out in the rain). Watches marked as "water resistant" without any other indication are not very water resistant and should never be submerged in water.

50 meters (5 ATM) Water Resistant - These watches can be submerged in shallow water. You can swim with a watch marked 50 meters, but you cannot go diving with this type of watch.

100 meters (10 ATM) Water Resistant and higher - These watches can be submerged in water up to a certain depth (pressure). You can dive with watches marked 100 meters. If you are going to depths that require the use of a tank, you must find a watch that is marked 200 meters (20 ATM) or higher.

My understanding is that all watches are water resistant meaning water will not hurt them until the first time the back is taken off. After that water can seep in to the watch. Waterproof means that when the back has been removed and put back on the watch will seal and continue to keep the water out.

5/8/10 Choose the watch style. use the watch as if it were a pendant (center it between your choice of beads., Finish it as if you were making a bracelet. (finished length approx, 7-8 ins. ) Adjust the beading on both sides of watch, add toggle clasp. Need, wire,toggle clasp, beads, crimp,crimp cover,wire cover(looks like a tiny horse shoe, & Watch.-Judie jer29v.11

5/8/2010 Choose a Watch with LOOPS on each side .remove one loop. or add more decorative beads. Now use the watch same as a pendant add a bail.. Add beads and clasp or no clasp.(continuose beading)..Adjust the lenght- I put my watch face -facing upward- easier to read without haveing to turn it . Need;Watch,beads clasp. bail, wire etc.
Judie jer29v11

The best tool is called a case knife. You can buy these at most watch parts dealers. Just search "case knife." You should find some good ones.

Another item that works in a pinch is a razor scraper. These are available in most hardware stores. They are a plastic case that houses a single edge razor blade.