Being a seasoned OzBargainer, and thanks to @WatchNerd, I now own quite a few watches. Most of them are high yield investments such as the Casio AE1200WH-1A.
However, it's becoming a chore to have to pay for their batteries to be replaced, so I'd like to know if anyone on here replaces their own batteries and, if so, how that works out.
Is there gonna be much difference between the fenix 8 and fenix 9
None, kinetically driven ;)
wtf you can charge it?? ive been buying new batterys from aliexpress and replacing it this whole time
lol my mouse stopped working last night, and I couldn't find the battery compartment. I finally realised that it's rechargeable.
Does that imply you could find the compartment if the mouse worked?
@public-secret: no, there is no compartment. I plugged it in for a recharge, and now I'm good for another 3-6 months or whatever (not sure when I bought it now).
There's no replaceable battery afaik.
You can buy replacement batteries from aliexpress? I've just been buying a new watch each time. This is going to save me a fortune.
Nah. But I just wear it as a fashion piece these days when I go out to a special event lol.
I was out at a club and I had the watch on, someone asked me for the time and I looked at my phone knowing my watch isn't working.
I've been considering grabbing a kit to change watch batteries, currently have 5 watches between two of us that need new batteries and at $30 a pop from the shopping centre places to swap the batteries it would make sense to DIY.
Batteries are cheap, just buy the basic tools needed to swap them over (>$10 on Ali) and watch a Youtube video on your watch model if still confused. Difficulty level = 1/10
for my southside brisbane homies, if you dont care about pressure tests, B & G Jewellery did some casio watch battery replacements for me for like $7 ea on the spot last year. 3 watches took not even 15 minutes.
Sure i could buy the tools, batteries from ali , but i definitely cant cover my own time at $7 a pop lol
And when you’re learning to use the tools you also scratch your case back! $7 is pretty good though
I ruined my gshock also have an open case guess watch sitting in my drawer now since I had a try changing the battery myself lol.
it varies with stores, but a local jeweler i. shopping centre was $10 without pressure test, another at the shopping centre wanted $30 without pressure test, guess it’s shop around if not doing it yourself.
Yes. I do it myself. I have a watch tool kit.
If you change your own, you can take full responsibility and don't have to worry about finding someone else to blame for issues - e.g. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/912062
Do You Change Your Own Watch Batteries?
I outsource to the Philippines…
Along with your comments.
No, that is India.
The power of the AI wave ?
हम आपकी दयनीय टिप्पणियाँ नहीं लिखते, यह शुद्ध जैविक है
yes if pressure testing is not required.
of course.
i even made my own watch
I have in the past but then I went to a solar watch and now don't wear a watch at all.
lol, it has 4 screws. just do it.
Opening the AE1200 is literally childs play.
Yes, but maybe you shouldn't if it's a Grand Seiko.
Yes, watch toolkits are quite cheap. Having said that most of my watches are automatic, solar powered or manual wind.
please share with us some of your low yield investments, asking for a friend.
Tell your friend I like the way they think. Here are the relevant high yield investment timepieces:
I have quite a few others, but most of them are automatics or solar. I'm not a collector, I just like some kinds of watches. I'm hoping a great price comes up on a Citizen Ana-Digi Temp some time.
Thank you my good sir, my friend sends their appreciation. After looking through the list, they are still a little unsure which ones are low yield investments…
Please seek help for your watch collecting addiction.
I think you are a collector there, buddy. You have 100% more watches than I do.
Not a single muiltiband 6?
I run a multiband 6 transmitter in my house, keen them accurate
I agree, who needs a watch when you've got a phone?
Agreed. But who needs a phone when Telstra lets you make free phone calls at every phone booth
… and you get free internet at work/library/school
Username checks… wait a minute…
It's definitely not a need, it's much more of a want ;p
Not everyone wants, needs or has a phone.
Same with a watch.
But more often than not, we need to know the time so choose your weapon.
But surely do not discount any method based on stereotyping others.
But how will I find where I put my phone without my watch's Find Phone function?
What if there is Nuclear catastrophre or EMG pulse?
Then again, they'd be stuffed.
Time to buy one of these
looking at phone in client meetings is ruse to clients, looking down at your writes at a watch seems to be much more subtle, also i usually have my phone in my bad when walking or shopping, really can’t be bothered to get it out of my bag, especiallly when walking. also when. swimming, don’t have issues with my watch, but phone is in locker or car.
I change batteries on my watches.
Recently I took my Seiko G757-4000 out of ~35 year hibernation. Nearly lost a tiny screw as it flew out like an angry bird when i unscrewed the battery thingy off. Fun times :)
I recently replaced the battery in my Samsung S20 FE phone so of course I would do my watches.
Why would I want a watch when I can use my sun dial for free.
I am still reliant on my water clock…..
yes & watch band links. Kit from ebay
I certainly change my own batteries. I have my own tools and am able to change links as well. In fact, the biggest change I've noticed about our current era is that finding the correct battery has become trivial.
You cannot imagine having a special sized watch battery in your hand and not wanting to pay the inflated prices they have at watchmakers - and not having any other easily accessible source of the correct size. At those prices, I might as well have had them change the battery for me.
I'll replace coin batteries but usually bin anything smaller. My red line is watches with frustrating little screws. I terminate them with extreme prejudice.
Before you terminated it, did you say: “Your time is up!”?
I have a Casio and take to the watch shop to change the battery. But this is only every 2 or so years and I can't remember when the last time was! It's still keeping the correct time!
Yes, easy.
How did you did not learn this?
Apparently you can learn almost anything by self proclaimed YouTube Experts.
Nah, when battery dies I throw the watch out and buy new one. I'm on my 42069th Samsung watch
I'd like to buy a watch battery replacement tool kit, is there a particular one that you guys have found to be best bang for buck? If you have a link it would be very helpful
Dude if the watch is under $10k just change it yourself.
If water proof testing is required, then get someone to do it for anything above $5k.
Be awary of those shopping centre guys as they don't necessarily have the best equipment.
My Mudmaster battery died only about three years after I bought it. I haven't looked into how much the battery would cost to replace, given the pressure testing required (not that I need it pressure-tested, I guess).
The only watches I have that I replace the battery in occasionally are my wife's and mine Tag Heur's that were a wedding present to each other which I get pressure tested. Just had the battery changed in my wife's watch and the pressure test failed, the seal around the display sapphire crystal had a small leak so had that replaced at the same time. Wouldn't have found that if I did it myself and it's not worth me buying a pressure tester just for myself.
I'm not really into watches but I have to admit that the Casio in your link looks great
Thanks! I don't get the problems some people have with cheap Casios, etc. I think they look amazing. :)
As someone who doesn't 'get' watches, either buy a luxury watch or if you can't afford that, a cheapie. I don't see the point of mid-range watches. Saying that, I have a Garmin D2 Mach 1 pilot watch which is quite pricey but that was a gift. I do use it though, but only when flying.
Accuracy: ±30 seconds per month
Yes, buy a watch repair kit from amazon for the basic tools
Yep, have been changing my own batteries for several years now.
Yes I have managed to change several watch batteries except one which I could not open….an ongoing challenge…
Between family and friends I have changed over 50 batteries and there is STILL a risk i would scratch the caseback if not careful.
Yep - although getting the back off some watches is painful. It's only really worth it if you're going to quite a few of them, if it's 1/2 every couple of years just pay the $20-$30.
If it's a screw down caseback (be careful, it can look like a screwdown but still be a snap in) then i would use a rubber ball to remove it (least chance of scratches)
If it's snap in you need a tool to remove it (I use the handle with a hook type) and you MIGHT need a tool to get the caseback back on.
If it has screws then it's easy as long as you have a basic set of jewellers screwdrivers.
This article is a pretty good summary:
https://www.namokimods.com/en-au/blogs/namokitimes/different…
In terms of a snap in remover tool i find the blades too fiddly so i use one of these: (I didn't buy it at walmart, just had the right picture) https://www.walmart.com/ip/Besufy-Watch-Back-Cover-Case-Open…
Snap-ins is my sign of cheap junk fashion watches, with cheap movements.
Solar quartz is the GOAT!!!
I agree! I have a Seiko Prospex Diver V175 that's among my favourites (I don't wear it that often because I don't want my other watches to know I have a favourite).
Yes, generally very easy, done with care under good light on a stable surface.
My wifes watches requires a press to get the back on, my 2 watches both require pressure testing so no definitely not doing myself and only need to replace battery every few years anyway. plus the place I bought the Tag from offers lifetime free battery replacement.
You can buy a press for $20 off Amazon
Hey Guys,
Just throwing this into the ring….
Some of the prices are nuts. I agree. Occasionally you will get a sale or see a gem….
Google Casio ecodrive. I have had very good success having not changed the battery now for 8 years after purchasing it.
Its a daily driver as well.
Last battery I changed on a watch I put the screw driver halfway through my finger and said enough was enough.
I think Eco Drive is a Citizen brand - I have a few and you're right, they're great!
Hey, you were right! I totally had a brain fart. But I knew it started with c ;D
I don't get why people don't just get ecodrive or a solar watch….
Yes Citizen Eco-Drives appear to dominate the solar watch market. I've heard from many sources of them running non-stop for over 20 years. However everyone needs a Casio or two or three in their collection.
FYI - Don't store solar watches away in the dark somewhere, that's the worst thing for them.
I just like battery as they are more accurate and reliable until they need a new battery, which is every 2 to 3 years or so.
tend to buy more solar watches now, so no issue with pressure test or battery replacements, but still have lots of quartz ones, about 10, bought the tools so do it myself now, even got the little grease thing for the o-ring , tend to use renata batteries with good use by dates, or energizer. had to get an extra large case tool for one of my watches , $20, but shopping mall jeweler didn’t have one that fitted either. getting about 3 years out of a battery.
Yes I change own batteries. I got sick of paying the $15 to $20 a time, without the pressure test.
I got the 3 prong adjustable thingy to remove the screw off backs. Then I got a pack of the seals/rings for any that look worn.
Recently I cracked my glass, and I ended up replacing it myself. Tools: hammer and 2 pieces of wood to spread the load, although I would recommend a press. The pressure test comes whenever I'm next in the swimming pool.
I replace my watches batteries when I go to overseas to an Asian country and just put them away in my drawer until I make a trip. I tried getting the battery changed at a local shop and he asked for freaking $40. Not bothered anymore to get any watch repair done locally.
What is a watch, hold gimme a shovel gonna dig up something.
I’m an idiot.
I get overcharged at Jewellery shop.
I had 3 replaced batteries only and 1 replaced with pressure test.
Next time I won’t do the pressure test.
Watches valued $500-$1200 each.
I changed the battery in my gshock GA-110 myself. but the replacement battery only lasted 6 months before it went flat. I dont wear it so i havent bothered to investigate if i left some function on that was draining the battery
What brand & where did you buy it?
i bought them off ebay. I think I still have 2 left. Cant find them right now. They are either panasonic or maxwell (cannot remember)
Probably fakes or old stock.
Car batteries and watch batteries are quite easy to change. YouTube is your friend. 30 to 40 dollars for a few minutes worth of work to replace a battery worth only a few dollars is a rip off.
yep, I change my watch batteries.
Invest in a good watch kit, watch some youtube vids, then you will be fine
YouTube and a set from amazon
i purchase Naviforce watches and other cheap ones from Aliexpress.
NAviforce seem to hold time well and i have a few models in my case with no batteries……
yes if i like the watch ill keep it BUT the cost to purchase another one brand new is calling me all the time. if i dont like the watch ill box it back up and go for hand me down or donate.
current watch is a Xiomi mi band 9 and is handling the punishment really well.
Solar charged Garmin Fenix