Replacement watch battery

bluenoseam

Given the value of gold it's not exactly a bad practice to avoid replacing batteries on gold watches - have to bear in mind that it's all about the risk involved.

Still could be worse, the last time I had a quote on a battery replacement was for my old G-Shock and it was £30, chiefly because of the waterproof seal. I don't have problems with that though as the watches themselves are about the only ones I actually trust with day to day wear, damn being a clumsy oaf!

takman

bluenoseam wrote: »

Given the value of gold it's not exactly a bad practice to avoid replacing batteries on gold watches - have to bear in mind that it's all about the risk involved.

Still could be worse, the last time I had a quote on a battery replacement was for my old G-Shock and it was £30, chiefly because of the waterproof seal. I don't have problems with that though as the watches themselves are about the only ones I actually trust with day to day wear, damn being a clumsy oaf!

You should get the one with the rechargeable battery that has a solar panel in it. You never need to worry about getting it replaced them.

Joe_Horner

The problem with quite a loot of the small gold watches (especially Sovereign brand) is that you have to remove the glass and pull the stem (winder) completely out of the watch in order to get to the battery because they have a one-piece case.

It's not a problem to do but bear in mind that the "expert" in places like Goldsmiths or Samuels has probably been on a 1 week (if they're lucky) course and is unlikely to have things like a crystal lift on his bench.

teddysmum

Joe_Horner wrote: »

The problem with quite a loot of the small gold watches (especially Sovereign brand) is that you have to remove the glass and pull the stem (winder) completely out of the watch in order to get to the battery because they have a one-piece case.

It's not a problem to do but bear in mind that the "expert" in places like Goldsmiths or Samuels has probably been on a 1 week (if they're lucky) course and is unlikely to have things like a crystal lift on his bench.

Mine's an over thirty year old Accurist (so has had lots of replacements), but they didn't ask for any details; being gold was enough.

Joe_Horner

Shouldn't be a problem to do then, and they're refusing on the basis of "may damage the gold" then they're basically admitting their own incompetence!

At that sort of age it's quite likely that they're really more concerned about the chance of the watch not working. If they make a mistake and break it (or are accused of) then the movement will be obsolete and they'd probably be looking at supplying a new replacement watch because there's not many of us out there now that'll repair old quartz.

Given that Accurist 9kt are around £500 on leather straps and over 1k on bracelets now that's an expensive mistake if it happens!

teddysmum

Joe_Horner wrote: »

Given that Accurist 9kt are around £500 on leather straps and over 1k on bracelets now that's an expensive mistake if it happens!

My goodness. That much ?


Mine is on a gold bracelet, but it's exactly like this going at only £134 on Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ladies-accurist-9ct-gold-watch-/161986024087?hash=item25b71e9297:g:atoAAOSwezVWxyAJ.


You had me really excited for a minute or two.:p

Joe_Horner

Yes, but in an argument over your sentimentally priceless watch they've just broken you're not likely to settle for something they pick up on ebay or pop over to Cash Converters for

Nearest current model is probably this one at £800 retail (probably around £400 +VAT to them), next model up is £1050. Like I said, a big risk if they're at all nervous of their in-store "experts'" abilities!

http://www.accurist.co.uk/watch/womens-9ct-gold/8801/

teddysmum

Joe_Horner wrote: »

Yes, but in an argument over your sentimentally priceless watch they've just broken you're not likely to settle for something they pick up on ebay or pop over to Cash Converters for

Nearest current model is probably this one at £800 retail (probably around £400 +VAT to them), next model up is £1050. Like I said, a big risk if they're at all nervous of their in-store "experts'" abilities!

http://www.accurist.co.uk/watch/womens-9ct-gold/8801/

That is the price of a new watch with a large chunk being tax, though and unfortunately, mine is, as originally expected, only worth about what I paid many years ago (and then there I was thinking it would be an investment for one of my granddaughters, when you mentioned enhanced values).


Anyway, I have been recommended a good, local, small jeweller, so am fixed up.

cfw1994

I have a rather nice Tissot T-Touch watch, bit of a luxury item. Original battery lasted 7 years, so not bad....but when it needed replacing, most places have to send it off and charge £50-80 *gasp* !
I discovered Robert James in St Albans (from another forum) - had some great communication with him, so I carefully wrapped it & posted it off for less than half that price. If you lived near enough to drop off, even better!

As a bonus, he removed some minor scratches that the titanium models do tend to suffer from!

Now if you wanted it guaranteeing for diving etc, you would likely want the full "pressure test" service, but for normal wear & tear, I think this is just fine....hopefully the battery (he used a Maxell lithium) will last another 5-10 years!