Two watch questions

[cnnc97]

The battery in my watch just died. What can I expect to pay to have it replaced?

Also, my watch has a stop watch with hands, not digital. The second hand has slowly moved off from the starting point. So when I reset it instead of going to 12 it goes back about 5 seconds to the left now, it's moved 1 second at a time slowly. Can the hand be taken off and put back on in the correct place?

I don't know much about watches so any advice on this would be appreciated before I take it in.

 

[Casey]

The battery in my watch just died. What can I expect to pay to have it replaced?

Also, my watch has a stop watch with hands, not digital. The second hand has slowly moved off from the starting point. So when I reset it instead of going to 12 it goes back about 5 seconds to the left now, it's moved 1 second at a time slowly. Can the hand be taken off and put back on in the correct place?

I don't know much about watches so any advice on this would be appreciated before I take it in.

The first, $10 at most, unless you have a very odd watch.

The second, yes. Fairly easily. Most watchmakers and jewelers will do this for a nominal fee.

 

[MichaelG]

you can do it yourself by pulling out the crown and engaging the pushers at 2:00 and 4:00. Here's some instructions.

The battery in my watch just died. What can I expect to pay to have it replaced?

Also, my watch has a stop watch with hands, not digital. The second hand has slowly moved off from the starting point. So when I reset it instead of going to 12 it goes back about 5 seconds to the left now, it's moved 1 second at a time slowly. Can the hand be taken off and put back on in the correct place?

I don't know much about watches so any advice on this would be appreciated before I take it in.

 

[DaveNJ74]

$10-15 at a local mall jewelry place but like another member said, if you can learn to do it yourself go for it. Thats $10-$15 spent on blades, pucks and the like...

 

[cnnc97]

The link to resetting the hands sounds like something I could at least try, but not without replacing the battery first. How do I get the back off without gouging the crap out of it? I know almost nothing about watches.

I think I only paid $90 for the watch, so don't really want to spend $30 on a new battery and to have the hands reset if it's possible to do it myself.

 

[MichaelG]

If it has a screw on back, you'll need wrench to do it. Of course, the wrench will cost about what the watch cost

There are cheaper versions out there, but these are the sort of tools you'll need. (Don't get the rubber ball thingy, apparently it doesn't work very well.)

I'm a watch nut and to tell you the truth, I don't have anything to open up watches. I do have tools for adjusting watch bracelets and changing out straps, etc.

The link to resetting the hands sounds like something I could at least try, but not without replacing the battery first. How do I get the back off without gouging the crap out of it? I know almost nothing about watches.

I think I only paid $90 for the watch, so don't really want to spend $30 on a new battery and to have the hands reset if it's possible to do it myself.

 

[cnnc97]

Is it not possible to get it open with one of those tools?

That was the reason I was planning on taking it in. Guess I may have to do that, or buy a new watch

 

[MichaelG]

The rubber ball? I've read on the watch discussion forums that it doesn't always work. The other basic wrenches are fine - you just need a simple case wrench and a case holder.

Is it not possible to get it open with one of those tools?

That was the reason I was planning on taking it in. Guess I may have to do that, or buy a new watch

 

[cnnc97]

The rubber ball? I've read on the watch discussion forums that it doesn't always work. The other basic wrenches are fine - you just need a simple case wrench and a case holder.

Sorry, wasn't very clear on that. What I meant to say was is it not possible to get it open without one of the wrenches?

 

[xillion]

You can get a wrench here very cheap, and they have two stores in your area. I used the same model to change the battery on one of my Citizen watches and it worked great.

 

[scottish steve]

I had a hell of a time wih t asnap-off Rotary caseback replacement they sent me and had to put the scratched original back on. Was not happy. I also had to bin a Royal London that I really liked after taking the snap-off back off and found it was impossible to put back on. If you're not planning on changing your A.D. or lifestyle and don't want to trust the local mall-guy, I'd suggest going out and getting a Lorus for around $50 or even a Seiko 5

 

[cnnc97]

You can get a wrench here very cheap, and they have two stores in your area. I used the same model to change the battery on one of my Citizen watches and it worked great.

That's funny, I go to Harbor Freight all the time, it's only a mile from my house. I'll have to check that out, thanks.

 

[Ghostwriter]

I just had my watch's batter replaced at a place in the mall. Cost just under $13 with tax. I know some watch brand's say you void the warranty unless you ship it off to one of their authorized service centers, but I've never worried about that.

 

[pz93c]

I'm a watch nut and to tell you the truth, I don't have anything to open up watches. I do have tools for adjusting watch bracelets and changing out straps, etc.

That's funny.

I have the case back tool but nothing for changing out straps and adjusting bracelets.

Look in your local phone book for independent jewelers that change batteries. If you buy the battery yourself, at Walmart maybe, then have them change it, it should be cheaper.

The style/model of battery may be on your case back.

You can also look up the manual for your watch online and see the battery type and how to reset the chrono/stop watch hands.

 

[cnnc97]

Wal Mart replaced the battery for only $5. Scratched the back a little, but not too bad, probably no worse than I would have done myself.

I tried to reset the hands using the link in the 2nd reply post, but no luck. I will try to find the instructions for my watch, which is a Pulsar. If I can't I guess I will have to take it to a jeweler or watch shop. Thanks for all the ideas from everybody who responded.

 

[cnnc97]

Found the instuctions on Pulsar's website, so I got the chronograph hands adjust properly. First time in about 4 years that the second hand has been correct

 

[pz93c]

Congrats.

Wear it well.