Took watch for new battery and now....

Eydon

Guardsman wrote: »

I have a Seiko that automatically winds in response to the movement of my wrist, I vigorously give it a good winding twice a day.

Twice a day :eek: - you'll go blind :rotfl:

pmdf

I'm a bit of a watch collector and aficionado, as sad as that might sound! In my experience, renewing the water resistance of the watch - whether it's just a check of the seal or replacing them and lubricating if required - is always an additional cost to fitting a battery. As soon as you take the back off a watch, there's a risk of compromising the resistance.

It'll usually cost a fair bit more than just the battery replacement, as a good watch shop will pressure test the watch to be able to guarantee the resistance. That requires their time and the use of pressure testing equipment which isn't cheap. I can replace a watch battery myself and on cheaper watches I do just that, but on a watch I value that requires water resistance, I'll always leave it to a professional with the proper WR testing equipment.

pmdf

Guardsman wrote: »

I have a Seiko that automatically winds in response to the movement of my wrist, I vigorously give it a good winding twice a day.

Exactly why real men don't require automatic watch winders. :beer:

Herongull

I also replace my own watch batteries - it is very easy to do. A high quality silver oxide battery costs only £1.50. Don't use el-cheapo alkaline "watch batteries" - they don't have a stable voltage and they can leak and ruin your watch.

But this means that the watch may or may not be waterproof as the seal is not tested.

If you take it to a jeweller and they charge you between £7 and £12 to change it, but this doesn't include a waterproof test. Many High St jewellers do not have the kit to test waterproofness.

If the jeweller does test for waterproofness, it costs much more usually £20 to £35 (or more for high end watches).

Moral: pay more or pay less (DIY), but don't pay £7 to £12 for something you can do yourself.