Michael Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 When someone wants a watch battery replaced and you've taken the time to remove the bracelet,open the waterproof back and remove the plastic retainer to get the battery out and test it to find it's ok,do any of you charge for this. I don't repair watches or replace movements at the moment,only batteries,but it just gets on my nerves to do all this only to tell the customer I can't do anything.Maybe having a £2.50 charge to test the battery first might be a good idea. What say you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 I must say that gets on my tits aswell Michael. Always try cleaning the contacts and puting in a new "clean" battery, You may be suprised how often this is the cure. and you may aswell while you've got the thing to bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 I don't charge, but as UK says it worth a clean up to see if you can get it going! I do do replacement movements though and its easy! I would say 20% of the "you movements faulty" will have a new one fitted it its offered. Have a look at my tutorial on movement replacement here Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 I would say 80%ish movements replacement is easy, but some are and can be quite difficult if you haven't any expirience. I think Lee would agree with me there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 I would say 80%ish movements replacement is easy, but some are and can be quite difficult if you haven't any expirience.I think Lee would agree with me there I would say 95% of movements replace OK, especially on mainstream watches. its a matter of building confidence and understanding. I did change the date wheel from the supplied white one to the watches gold one and had to do some modification to get it to work that was tricky. But the worst has to be when I first started I changed a movement in a paul smith design watch that I was adviced I would need to change the steams to fit its specific hands, No problem I thought! the movement arrived in the morning post & I started straight away.......... I left work at 10pm! the longest job ever! I simply couldn't get it working! I did it in the end and have replaced the battery twice since! I simply bit of more than my experience at that time could chew. So YES some are and can be quite difficult if you haven't any experience. But don't let that put you off! I didn't have the forum to help out with problems when I started! Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 Yeah, if you don't try you'll never don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 I like the advice on dial protection with the piece of paper, so simple yet I never thought of doing that. And, there's no-one more simpler than me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 I like the advice on dial protection with the piece of paper, so simple yet I never thought of doing that. And, there's no-one more simpler than me. I often think thats the beauty of this trade, many are self taught so think out side the traditional "training" box and come up with our own (sometimes) better ways to do things. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 The last two posts are so true........Even the bit about Hugh being simple Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 The last two posts are so true........Even the bit about Hugh being simple Cheeky young man, no more Sweeties for you when you're sitting on my knee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Klazykobbler Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 Going back to the top of the thread there is a tester on the market which yo can place a watch on it and it is able to test is the battery is okay without removing the back of the watch . dont know about prices but when i saw it thought it was neat bit of kit. Klazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltshire Cobbler Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 The testers are available here http://www.agthomas.co.uk/watch_battery_replacement_tools.htm We use the Renata tester and the Etic Polytest. I also picked up a Minit TimoCheck from Ebay which allows you to check the stepping motor without having to open the watch and use probes (as with the Etic) This usually clears any small blockages that are preventing the hands from turning by making the hands turn at a fast speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted July 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 I also use the Renata tester. Today I did one watch that beeped when put on the tester but the hands weren't moving,so removed the battery to find it needed replacing.A second watch was the same,hands not moving but beeped on tester, when I took the battery out and tested it,it was fine!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltshire Cobbler Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 I've noticed this as well. It seems that some movements require a near full strength battery to drive the hands. The Renata will still pick up the pulse on a partially drained battery but the power left is too low to turn the hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 I also have one of these testers, But no longer use it as a diagnostic tool as it doesn't give a true indication of the battery. I do however use it when the watch is pulsing but the movement isn't, to show the customer its the "convincer" to get them to have the movement replaced. Don't forget to support our sponsors I believe Charles birch sell these! Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now