£85 battery, should I be shocked?

[minghis]

My trusty 5 year old TAG Heuer's second hand started doing 4 seconds at a time, so time for it's first battery.

Took it into local dealer (jeweller) and they tell me the battery change will cost £85 and they have to send it off to TAG to be done as they're the only ones that will ensure it's integrity (waterproofness) and that anyone else could ruin it. Oh, and it'll take up to 3 weeks to get it back!

As it's such a nice watch I went ahead, and they lent me a TAG to use while it was away.

Have I been done, or is this normal?

[croyde]

I got my TAG done by the guy in Debenhams, Wimbledon who has a little repair place there. £25 I think it was, to replace the battery and he guarantees that it will remain waterproof, and it has.

OK he doesn't lend you a TAG but he was done in an hour.

TAG also recommended that I have the watch serviced once a year at the cost of £200 a time That's about what it costs to service my Beemer. Needless to say I don't.

Edited by croyde on Wednesday 25th January 15:13

[Shaw Tarse]

croyde said:

I got my TAG done by the guy in Debenhams, Wimbledon who has a little repair place there. £25 I think it was, to replace the battery and he guarantees that it will remain waterproof, and it has.

OK he doesn't lend you a TAG but he was done in an hour.

Edited by croyde on Wednesday 25th January 15:13

Right time? (or something like that)
There's also one in Debenhams Merry Hill centre.

[Mattt]

I never saw the point in servicing a quartz, especially not every year.

TAG charge enough for a cheap movement as it is.

[BrabusMog]

I've got a quartz Aquaracer (cherished 21st birthday present) and I have had the battery changed twice by a local jewellers, don't pay loads to get it done by Tag.

edit - just re-read your OP! Well I was going to get it done by Tag the first time but decided to risk it, I guess the extra is worth it for peace of mind. When I wear mine I wear it everywhere - gym, swimming, surfing etc and it's not leaked yet...

Edited by BrabusMog on Wednesday 25th January 17:07

[Hoofy]

Mattt said:

I never saw the point in servicing a quartz, especially not every year.

I don't think Tag see much point in servicing it. They probably bin it and fit a new movement. (Like most other companies with quartz offerings.)

[Podie]

minghis said:

My trusty 5 year old TAG Heuer's second hand started doing 4 seconds at a time, so time for it's first battery.

Took it into local dealer (jeweller) and they tell me the battery change will cost £85 and they have to send it off to TAG to be done as they're the only ones that will ensure it's integrity (waterproofness) and that anyone else could ruin it. Oh, and it'll take up to 3 weeks to get it back!

As it's such a nice watch I went ahead, and they lent me a TAG to use while it was away.

Have I been done, or is this normal?

On the basis that I've had a battery change and a refurb on a Breitling for less than that... yes.

[minghis]

Sounds like I should have shopped around... problem is I fell for the 'if it's not done properly you could end up with a £1500 watch that doesn't work' line.

Still, you never know, they may give it a clean and polish while it's there.

[Hoofy]

Look on the bright side. If I send my quartz Breitling for an official battery change, I expect they'll charge £300+. I'll buy a battery from RTL Watches for about £3, thanks.

[carreauchompeur]

I read this topic expecting it to be about car batteries. £85 for a watch battery? Ludicrous.

[Hoofy]

carreauchompeur said:

I read this topic expecting it to be about car batteries. £85 for a watch battery? Ludicrous.

When you put it like that...! I spent £70 on my new battery and that includes the Halfords guy getting his hands dirty. I just stood there eating crisps.

[Thom987]

A change of battery from Tag cost me £35, took about 10 days.

[audidoody]

"£85 battery, should I be shocked?"

Definitely. If you put the tip of your tongue against the + end.