Discussion
I treated myself to one of these back in'99 after completing a Scuba course.
The original battery lasted an incredible 5 years, I got approx 18 months from the next one, and the last battery only lasted 8 months. The watch has been sitting abandoned and unloved ever since.
Bearing in mind the last 2 battery changes have cost me £45 a time, I'm rather putting off getting it done again. However seeing some of the lovely watches on this thread, I'm tempted to get it up and running as my "smart" watch. I have a Seiko 5 as a daily thanks to you lot!!
Can anyone suggest why the batteries a lasting such a short time?
The watch hasn't been used for diving since I first bought it, so it's not like I'm using all the functions all of the time.
Any suggestions, before I pack it of to Citizen greatly appreciated.
The original battery lasted an incredible 5 years, I got approx 18 months from the next one, and the last battery only lasted 8 months. The watch has been sitting abandoned and unloved ever since.
Bearing in mind the last 2 battery changes have cost me £45 a time, I'm rather putting off getting it done again. However seeing some of the lovely watches on this thread, I'm tempted to get it up and running as my "smart" watch. I have a Seiko 5 as a daily thanks to you lot!!
Can anyone suggest why the batteries a lasting such a short time?
The watch hasn't been used for diving since I first bought it, so it's not like I'm using all the functions all of the time.
Any suggestions, before I pack it of to Citizen greatly appreciated.
I suspect there's a relationship between charging £45 and the battery not lasting very long. I'd demand a new one for free, and tell them to make it quick (hope you kept your receipt). I just got my watch back from a battery replacement - 5 weeks and £40 on a Maurice Lacroix - ridiculous. It's a five minute job, a £2 battery and a pissy little membrane. They used to do it while you wait in some jewelers until the manufacturers realised they could better shaft the customers if they brought the service back in-house.
TypeR said:
That was my original thought, but the watch was sent to Citizen's official service centre both times. I'd hope they were using good quality batteries?
Open it, tell us the brand. If it sounds like someone dropping kitchen utensils on a tiled floor ( 
), then I suspect the answer is that they are using ultra cheap batteries.I decided to bite the bullet and send the watch to Citizen's service centre in Bracknell.
I've received an estimate of just under £100 to service the watch.
Being the tight fisted Pikey that I am, I'm rather shocked at that price, however I suspect that's probably the going rate.
I seem to remember paying abot £300 for the watch back in '99 and have seen new ones for under £200 at places like Creation.
The fact that a service will cost 50% of the price a new watch is making me sit on the fence as to whether I get it done.
I've received an estimate of just under £100 to service the watch.
Being the tight fisted Pikey that I am, I'm rather shocked at that price, however I suspect that's probably the going rate.
I seem to remember paying abot £300 for the watch back in '99 and have seen new ones for under £200 at places like Creation.
The fact that a service will cost 50% of the price a new watch is making me sit on the fence as to whether I get it done.
I found the same with my Seiko (old Chronograph). Original battery lasted 6 years, second a few years, last one lasted 6 months. Didn't get it fixed, as the crown wheel falls out, the back o-ring is shot, and there's dust in the face. Costs more to get it fixed than it's worth.
Also have a Seiko 5 automatic, but it gains 5 minutes a day, so it's in the same little box in the drawer - my daily is a Casio Waveceptor.
Also have a Seiko 5 automatic, but it gains 5 minutes a day, so it's in the same little box in the drawer - my daily is a Casio Waveceptor.
I made a phone call to the Citizen service centre to get an idea what of I'd get for a 100 quid watch service.
Watch is fully dismantled, circiut board and 2 lcd displays replaced, all seals, gaskets replaced, depth sensor recalibrated/replaced if needed, watch mechanism checked/replaced, 2 X pressure tests, 1 Yr guarantee.
I get the impression that I'm getting all new gubbins fitted into the original case.
So I've agreed to have the work done.
As my dear old Dad said, (and Shakespeare) "A fool and his money........."
I get the bloody thing back in 8-10 days.
I'll let you know if I've been bent over and shafted by the Service Centre or not.
Now, where's the KY jelly????
Watch is fully dismantled, circiut board and 2 lcd displays replaced, all seals, gaskets replaced, depth sensor recalibrated/replaced if needed, watch mechanism checked/replaced, 2 X pressure tests, 1 Yr guarantee.
I get the impression that I'm getting all new gubbins fitted into the original case.
So I've agreed to have the work done.
As my dear old Dad said, (and Shakespeare) "A fool and his money........."
I get the bloody thing back in 8-10 days.
I'll let you know if I've been bent over and shafted by the Service Centre or not.
Now, where's the KY jelly????
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