Tissot Touch (Pro) - Battery Replacement issue

gtech on 15/08/2017 - 13:52

Hi All,

Just wanted to find out if anybody had any issues replacing the battery on Tissot Touch (Pro) line of watches.

I was given the original Tissot Touch (est value 900-1000) for my birthday about 10 years ago. When the watch battery ran out after 3-4 years I took it to a Tissot dealer. I was told that the watch needed extensive work and that it would cost me $300-500. At which point I refused to pay that amount and left the watch as is. (eventually the battery was replaced in Europe for less then $100)

Fast forward a few years and I was given another Tissot Touch Pro (est value $1200-1500) for my birthday. Again the watch ran for 3-4 years until the battery ran out. When I took the watch to a Tissot dealer they advised me that this should only cost me $175 for replacement, however if the watch required any additional work then I would be provided a quote. Imagine my amazement when the dealer called to advise me again that my relatively new Tissot Touch Pro would need $500 worth of work on it.

Please note that in both cases the watches operated perfectly before the battery ran out. They did display signs of wear and tear but nothing that I would consider major damage. (cracked screen, water damage etc etc)

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • tonyjzx on 15/08/2017 - 14:06
    +3

    yeah this is unbelieveable

    i would try any competant jeweller… i use a guy in a suburban mall, he's been there for decades and it would probably be $10-$20

    from the looks of it, this watch uses a cr2025/32 or something like that so the battery isnt expensive, infact they are a coupla bucks

    the process doesnt look too hard, maybe 15-20 mins

    IMO tissot who are part of the swatch group are all rip off merchants if you go to the official channel

    my advice is that if you're not sentimentally bound to these watches, just sell them, they aint worth the bother

  • PJC on 15/08/2017 - 14:30
    +1

    You can replace the battery yourself. There are inexpensive tools on eBay for opening and re-closing casebacks.

    • tonyjzx on 15/08/2017 - 14:34
      +2

      there's youtube vids

      its not the easiest thing ever but its not impossible

      it feels like tissot are charging $200 an hour and then $25 for an o-ring and $50 for a battery etc etc.

      • PJC on 15/08/2017 - 15:01

        Yes, OP has been taken for a mug punter.

  • apple2016 on 15/08/2017 - 14:36

    I have one of T-Touch Tissot . I bought it in europe. the battery ran out for the first time under 2 years so it was replaced for free in melbourne. Again the battery ran out in 2 yrs. I was quoted $200 for battery due to pressure testing requirements. I felt $200 to too high for the watch and did not go ahead.

    • vinni9284 on 15/08/2017 - 15:19
      +1

      Pressure testing is only good for if you a prone to expose the watch to water,such as wear in the water and the like.

      If not, then it shouldn't cost more than $50 for a decent battery at a reputable jewellery shop.

      I have a Longines Conquest purchased for around $1200 and needed a battery replacement. Salera's Jewellers charged me $45 for supply and fit.

      Works flawlessly.

      Btw, Tissot is the sister/daughter company of Longines so there is some relation here :-)

  • grabngo on 15/08/2017 - 14:53
    -2

    I know the place that u went to cos I used to deal with them previously.
    They are a group of high end jewellery stores.
    They are a bunch of thieves.
    Go to the swatch group directly and they will charge u a portion of the price.
    They may charge u $10 to deliver back to you.
    it is a big rot dealing with the jewellers.
    Admitedly there is some work that goes into it but the jewellers make a biiiig cut.

    • WatchNerd on 15/08/2017 - 14:58

      This is really bad advice, no way would I be posting an expensive watch to get the battery replaced.

  • WatchNerd on 15/08/2017 - 14:54
    +1

    Why do you keep getting given the same brand watch?

    I would suggest the same a PJC - The cheapest way is to do it yourself & don't wear it in the water anymore. This is Ozbargain after all.
    Just watch some youtube video's & buy the tools on eBay or get a local jeweller to do it without the pressure test, it shouldn't cost more than $30.00.

    • tonyjzx on 15/08/2017 - 15:47

      he was given both as presents

      i think the costs comes from the fact there seems to be a specific tissot proceedure and tissot parts and then the pressure test and then a functional test since this is an LCD chrono

      IMO if this watch needs this every 3-4yrs then its not worth it

      protip: get a swatch irony of some sort

      free batteries for life from any swatch store

      i do count myself as a swatch omega longines fan and they are swatch group too but some swatch brands are terrible like tissot

  • Domingo on 15/08/2017 - 15:39
    +1

    I used to have a Tissot, the movement got stuck after about 9 months (second hand ticked but didn't returned to the same position afterwards).

    Took it to the service centre in Melbourne and didn't hear anything for ~2 weeks. Eventually I called them and they said that the damage had been caused by me as evidenced by scratches on the band and that I must have dropped it. I asked them to send me a photo of the damage which they refused to do, so said I would come in and inspect the watch in person and have them explain how I had damaged it. They said not to come in and that they would call me back with more information.

    When they did call back I got the same story, so I again insisted on coming in to be shown the damage prior to any work being done. At this point they offered to fix it under warranty as a gesture of goodwill, but stated that for similar damage in future I would be liable. The watch stopped working ~6 months later and I got rid of it, will never get a Tissot again.

  • altomic on 15/08/2017 - 16:46
    +2

    I spent $8 on my last watch. when it dies in 2 years Ill throw it into my drawer of watches with flat batteries and buy another. maybe one day I'll get out my watch repair/opening kit and buy some batteries from aliexpress and just replace the batteries.

    • WatchNerd on 15/08/2017 - 18:29

      What watch do you have?

      • altomic on 15/08/2017 - 18:32

        Artscow personalised watch.

        • WatchNerd on 15/08/2017 - 18:41
          +2

          Maybe move up from the Cow to some Deerfun next.

        • tonyjzx on 15/08/2017 - 18:56
          +2

          Because of this guy I now own 3 (THREE) Naviforces.

          All up $30.

  • shaz0316 on 15/08/2017 - 20:46

    Have had my T-touch for 8 years now, battery had been replaced twice in that time so seems quite normal. Both times it cost S200 and I went through Angus and Coote as they are the only Tissot dealers in Tas and they sent it to the swatch group. Its steep to pay but the T-touch had functions which I want to know is understood by however is working on it.

    • WatchNerd on 15/08/2017 - 21:41

      Replacing a battery doesn't require in depth knowledge of the functions of the watch.
      It's very easy to do if you are handy with tools.

  • DirtyMunchy on 15/08/2017 - 22:52
    +2

    Reading this thread I no longer feel guilty about "splurging" on my Apple Watch!

    $200 for a tissot battery change wtf!

  • srhardy on 16/08/2017 - 07:35

    You need your own watchmaker and repairer. My 'guy' is in Bundaberg, Ill post him a job when its too far to drive as he is awesome and knows who to send a job onto if its a rolex, say. You need a guy like this in your life. Yellow pages and never, ever goto a jewellers! They employ guys like him

  • Wriggle on 16/08/2017 - 08:52
    +1

    If you are in or near Sydney, I suggest you go and visit Max Schweizer Swiss Watch Service
    Suite 313 Level 3 375 George Street, 02 9290 1469. He is supremely knowledgeable, trustworthy and charges a fair price.

  • gtech on 16/08/2017 - 12:02
    +1

    Hi All,

    Thank you for the helpful comments.

    just to address some of the points in made

    1. Although I agree that "fool me one once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" …… in my defense it was one of those watches that looked elegant and has some awesome functions.

    2. Although I do understand that watchmaking/repair is a dying skill set and I'm happy to pay the $175-200 for a battery replacement, anything above that seems to me to be ridiculous. (i do understand that that the T-touch is unique in its functions and pressure testing is not cheap…but I can't see how a battery replacement and pressure test could take more than 1hr unless you run into some issues)

    3. Yeah, both watches have sentimental value so there is no way I'm parting with them.

    4. The reason I went to a jewelry store is that apparently, they are the authorised to retailer/repair of Tissot watches. (I actually visited few boutique watch stores here in Perth who advised me that they are not authorised retailers for Tissot as such they do not to provide support)

    5. I will check out the youtube videos and as a last resort see if I can replace the battery myself.

    I contacted Tissot group to see what they can do, as this charge seems to be over the top. I'm currently liaising with them to see if they can assist in my case.

    Once again thanks to all for you comments

    • WatchNerd on 16/08/2017 - 16:34
      +1

      Maybe look at a Citizen Eco-Drive or Seiko (Orient) automatic for your next watch.

      It will cost you less than you're willing to pay for a battery change on the Tissot and give you many more years of trouble free service.

      • gtech on 16/08/2017 - 17:17

        Thanks, mate had a Citizen which lasted me for years. (can't go past Japanese for quality gear these days)

        • srhardy on 17/08/2017 - 08:22

          japanese watches are made mostly in china and thialand. Nothing from say seiko is made in japan unless its RRP is almost $1k. They get to put japan (even dosetic watches) on the dial as long as someone japanese is on the inspection line at the foreign factory.

  • cimrak on 16/08/2017 - 19:41

    If you want it pressure tested, I'd personally just take it to a shopping centre jeweller (Mr Minute etc). They can do a battery change and pressure test within the hour and sometimes while you wait if they're not busy.

    Heres a short 9min video showing how to change the battery on a T-touch "Expert". Yours should be very similar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRZKkPPe2oI

  • gtech on 17/08/2017 - 11:05

    Thanks All.

    I keep forgetting that Youtube has this kind of content, and not just pirated moveis, vbolgs and cats/dogs videos.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/08/2017 - 22:50

    I've always read in various forums that bringing your watch to an AD (or even a boutique) is not a good idea for repairs or services. They will often say that a lot of parts are broken even though you only need a certain part replaced. However, there will be cases where they're your only choice. Some watch brands are now limiting spare parts for sale to smaller independent watch repairers. The community responded saying it's a cash grab and they're defending with they only want the best repairs for your watch.

    As mentioned above, have a look at Max Schweizer Swiss Watch Service. They're quite reputable all around and honest with pricing.

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