My $1000 watch battery replacement

[Trog]

Back many moons ago when I wore a suit to work and attended many formal events, I purchased a nice gold Omega Deville to compliment my attire.

Fast forward 30 years, I now find myself retired, in jeans, and the only formal events I attend tend to be at Starbucks. I still have the watch, but it’s never (or rarely) worn.

But as with all Quartz watches, the battery still needs to be replaced regularly. So, every couple of years I would head to my AD, plonk down $50-bucks (ouch), and have the battery replaced.

But this year was going to be different. I decided that it was time to learn how to change a watch battery. How hard can it be?

So, I watch a few YouTube vids explaining how to remove a press-fit back and proceed carefully. With dull knife in hand, I twist the back, and with a satisfying ‘pop’, the back separates from the case. COOL!!

I examine the battery, note the model number, and order a bunch from Amazon. Didn’t take long for the replacement battery to arrive.

So, with great care, I remove the depleted battery from the case, and install a fresh one. Flip the watch over, and am pleased to see that it’s working fine.

Next, time to pop the case back back on. Well, that wasn’t going to be easy. No amount of fiddling and squeezing was going to get that back fitted.

So back to YouTube where I learn that I’m going to need a ‘press’. Again, I find myself on Amazon where I order up a watch-press for $20-bucks c/w an assortment of dies. EXCELLENT!!

Two days later I have the press in hand..so I get to work.
I select the appropriate dies for the case and back then place the watch into position. Gently, I press down on the handle listening for the satisfying ‘snap’ of the back as it returns to its proper place.

I press, press, press…and then…CRACK!!!!!

Oh no..what have I done?!!!

I slowly remove the watch from the press only to find shards of glass, mangled watch hands, a snapped crown, and dented dial. SHITE!!!!!

I’m guessing the watch case slid out of position with disastrous results.

I proceed to dismantle the watch, remove the balance of the busted crystal, and put it all in a baggie.

The next day I headed to the local scrap gold shop where they gave me $3000 for the gold value…which was $1000 less than I was offered for the watch last year.

Expensive lesson learned.

[alpharulez]

Originally Posted by Trog

Back many moons ago when I wore a suit to work and attended many formal events, I purchased a nice gold Omega Deville to compliment my attire.

Fast forward 30 years, I now find myself retired, in jeans, and the only formal events I attend tend to be at Starbucks. I still have the watch, but it’s never (or rarely) worn.

But as with all Quartz watches, the battery still needs to be replaced regularly. So, every couple of years I would head to my AD, plonk down $50-bucks (ouch), and have the battery replaced.

But this year was going to be different. I decided that it was time to learn how to change a watch battery. How hard can it be?

So, I watch a few YouTube vids explaining how to remove a press-fit back and proceed carefully. With dull knife in hand, I twist the back, and with a satisfying ‘pop’, the back separates from the case. COOL!!

I examine the battery, note the model number, and order a bunch from Amazon. Didn’t take long for the replacement battery to arrive.

So, with great care, I remove the depleted battery from the case, and install a fresh one. Flip the watch over, and am pleased to see that it’s working fine.

Next, time to pop the case back back on. Well, that wasn’t going to be easy. No amount of fiddling and squeezing was going to get that back fitted.

So back to YouTube where I learn that I’m going to need a ‘press’. Again, I find myself on Amazon where I order up a watch-press for $20-bucks c/w an assortment of dies. EXCELLENT!!

Two days later I have the press in hand..so I get to work.
I select the appropriate dies for the case and back then place the watch into position. Gently, I press down on the handle listening for the satisfying ‘snap’ of the back as it returns to its proper place.

I press, press, press…and then…CRACK!!!!!

Oh no..what have I done?!!!

I slowly remove the watch from the press only to find shards of glass, mangled watch hands, a snapped crown, and dented dial. SHITE!!!!!

I’m guessing the watch case slid out of position with disastrous results.

I proceed to dismantle the watch, remove the balance of the busted crystal, and put it all in a baggie.

The next day I headed to the local scrap gold shop where they gave me $3000 for the gold value…which was $1000 less than I was offered for the watch last year.

Expensive lesson learned.

Take it to Omega and ask them how much to service and fix?


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[rolehex]

Oh that's terrible. Sounds like something that would happen to me.

[CKizzy]

Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all ;)

[AEC]

Originally Posted by CKizzy

Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all ;)

[1William]

Oh well.

[JR16]

Oh man, that’s terrible. Why didn’t you find out how much it would cost to replace the crystal?


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[Fredcohiba]

That’s terribly sad. Sorry to hear your story.
I too did something similar with a Seiko thin gold tone quartz about 20 years ago. Actually bent a lug and dial. I still have the watch.
Fast forward to just five months ago when I saw the same Watch on eBay. Bought it, installed my original, band, and was immediately transported back in time - when I used to have hair... It is good to have my old friend around again.
You may have similar feelings and find an exact replacement to fill the void.

[Undefeatable]

Originally Posted by JR16

Oh man, that’s terrible. Why didn’t you find out how much it would cost to replace the crystal?


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"I slowly remove the watch from the press only to find shards of glass, mangled watch hands, a snapped crown, and dented dial."

It would have cost more than the watch is worth to fix all those things. It sucks but in the long term, I think the OP did the most cost effective thing. Assuming it was worth $4,000 and he got $3,000 from a shop due to the gold, I dont think anyone would have purchased that for near $3,000.
Sucky situation for sure but at least there was value in the gold! If it was steel, would be left with a case and movement to sell haha.

[Trog]

I appreciate all your sympathies and suggestions. But the watch is now gone.

I never had any emotional value attached to this watch..it was just the right watch for the time.

I'm taking the proceeds of the scrap-gold sale and putting it towards the new Speedmaster Ed-White 321 edition.....(which I've been patiently waiting for).

Some might say that this is my second bad watch decision. But the heart wants what the heart wants.

With hope, I'll have a more uplifting 'Incoming' story to share soon.

[archaeoastro621]

That's the spirit-share the lesson learned and then face forward!

You have probably just spared a bunch of us from "how hard can it be?" mistakes. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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[77T]

Originally Posted by Trog

I appreciate all your sympathies and suggestions. But the watch is now gone.

Sad end to a beautiful watch.



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[Auto16610]

That Speedmaster Ed-White 321 edition looks awesome! I am sure you will like it a lot more than the other watch. Will look forward to your incoming!

[Rebel]

Ouch.

[KBM]

Sorry to hear. Here's to hoping the new speedy fills the void and is enjoyed for many years.