Yesterday, my watch (a Swiss Military one which cost about 80 CHF about 6 years ago) ran out of juice.
Usually, I went down to the local watch place in Brugg (Migros) - and they changed the battery for cost - about 5 CHF.
Now this place has been incorporated into Mirgos M-Electronic and this service has been discontinued.
I know that I can probably prise open the watch with my Swiss army knife and find out what battery is inside and replace it - but I always worry about the seal.
I went round various Jewellers and watch shops and got quoted prices between 22 CHF and 32 CHF - for maximum 5 minutes work.
This must be a problem for lots of people - do you just pay the money - or do you just do it yourself?
Are there any other cheap places left in Switzerland that can do this operation with the correct tools and TLC? (for the right price).
If I did not have to worry about the seal - I would just change it myself - but my eyes are not quite what they used to be.
I understand that time is money - but in Migros, the last time, it probably took about 2 minutes.
I have my daughter change the battery for me. I bought her a watch maintenance kit for Christmas a few years ago for that very purpose. The kit cost less than getting the battery changed at Manor or elsewhere.
I did have a battery changed at a jewellers once. They managed to damage the seal.
I paid 30,- at Manor to have it done, it was a sportwatch of my wife of a few hundred francs, and for the sake of god i could not get the thing of, the special tool that came along broke, Migros said that they after trying would not make further attempts since they would not want to cause damage and pay for such.
Manor put it in a special clamb, and after 5 minutes of trying different things he finally had it open without scratches.
You cannot do it yourself (lack of knowledeg, experience, or tools), you have to pay. If the job were simple you could do it yourself. Btw: Also others want their 120k
10 years? That is not long. How can you get a new battery in Gitmo?
I understand what to do - just lacking the eyesight. I will buy my stepson something like this - I found plenty of youtube links which show you how to do this operation on all types of watches - mine was the kindergarten version.
Could be a good paying hobby for the future for him.
Wish I had a ten year battery - would not need too many more in my life. (just the one probably)
My wife works at Manor and she could have got the battery changed for free - but she has 2 weeks holiday now and did not want to get "kidnapped" to go back to work by showing her face. I need my watch now.
I got one of those tools to replace the rechargeable battery in my kinetic (they last about twenty years normally, but I didn't wear it for a month and that killed it after ten).
Dead easy to get the back off and for a normal battery that would be fine; the kinetic was a bugger because you pretty much have to take it to bits to replace the battery, and those parts are really small.
1) a battery pocket cover like many of the swatches. (Comes off with a 10 Rp coin used as a screwdriver).
2) A press fit cover. The tool is very like a pocket knife, but the edge isn't as sharp (or brittle) as a pocket knife.
3) a screwed on back which has some kind of keying around the periphery. Watchmakers use a tool called a Jaxa which has various inserts to suit the keying form.
For the most part it's pretty simple:
1) Clean the back of the watch to remove dirt and dead skin.
2) Open the case/remove the cover.
3) Clean out the dirt that has now fallen into the watch.
4) Replace the battery.
5) Check that the watch runs.
6) Lubricate the sealing ring between case and back (better yet, replace it).
That and a bit of Rodico (for cleaning), and some seal lubricant (silicone grease) is about all you need. (Go easy on the silicone... I use a toothpick to pick up the tiniest amount of grease, then apply just a thin film to the seal by rolling the toothpick along the surface).
Or identify which attachments belong to which machines. An Inca table saw with all the attachments will sell for more if it's got all the right bits with it. If Jim doesn't feel he needs a table saw and decides to sell it then having the rods from the mortising attachment in a drawer in his basement won't serve him any good, nor will it help the buyer.