Watch Battery replacement.
Discussion
I’ve done those before.
That’s a Ronda 5030 movement. There are easily found videos on YouTube showing battery removal.
It was a bit of a fiddly pain in the proverbial, but it’s perfectly doable with no skill and lots of care / patience.
It’s been a while, but from memory the two prongs won’t unclip or pivot out of the way without the retaining screw at the other end being totally removed first.
Once the screw is removed, the clip can then be lifted out and the battery removed. The two prongs are unseated very easily, especially without the battery below to rest upon.
Repeat the steps in reverse order once the new battery is in place (remember which way the battery is oriented in terms of positive & negative!).
The fiddly, annoying bit was reseating the two prongs and keeping them there whilst tightening the retaining screw at the other end.
Some tips:
- Keep light finger pressure on the wishbone clip with your free hand when unscrewing with a screwdriver - the clip is sprung and will ping off into the ether if you aren’t careful. Ideally you’d have finger cots to prevent marking the movement with skin oils, but it’s not necessary.
- If you have a large, clear polythene sandwich bag or similar to place the watch inside, that can help catch any tiny parts that make a run for it.
- The removed screw is very tiny, so when removed make sure to put it somewhere safe straight away. Watchmaker’s rodico putty affixed to the desk makes an ideal sticky spot, but blue tack works well for just keeping the screw safe (not for use on movements!), or even a bit of sticky tape on the table.
- Don’t force or bend the clip, it’s sprung to keep the battery tight to the contacts.
- Take your time in a clear, clean, quiet space with good lighting and relaxed frame of mind. 80% of my b*lls-ups with watches have come simply from rushing or losing my rag.
- Tweezers will greatly help in handling that little screw, but careful not to squeeze the prongs too tightly or the screw will ping off somewhere - the blu tack or rodico can also help to remove & retain the screw once loosened.
- Whilst at it, if you have some silicone grease a (very, very) light smear of the rubber case back gasket before replacing the case back will help maintain water resistance, but be careful not to stretch, shear or crimp that seal when replacing the case back.
Good luck, it’s an easy enough task made fiddly by the small parts.
That’s a Ronda 5030 movement. There are easily found videos on YouTube showing battery removal.
It was a bit of a fiddly pain in the proverbial, but it’s perfectly doable with no skill and lots of care / patience.
It’s been a while, but from memory the two prongs won’t unclip or pivot out of the way without the retaining screw at the other end being totally removed first.
Once the screw is removed, the clip can then be lifted out and the battery removed. The two prongs are unseated very easily, especially without the battery below to rest upon.
Repeat the steps in reverse order once the new battery is in place (remember which way the battery is oriented in terms of positive & negative!).
The fiddly, annoying bit was reseating the two prongs and keeping them there whilst tightening the retaining screw at the other end.
Some tips:
- Keep light finger pressure on the wishbone clip with your free hand when unscrewing with a screwdriver - the clip is sprung and will ping off into the ether if you aren’t careful. Ideally you’d have finger cots to prevent marking the movement with skin oils, but it’s not necessary.
- If you have a large, clear polythene sandwich bag or similar to place the watch inside, that can help catch any tiny parts that make a run for it.
- The removed screw is very tiny, so when removed make sure to put it somewhere safe straight away. Watchmaker’s rodico putty affixed to the desk makes an ideal sticky spot, but blue tack works well for just keeping the screw safe (not for use on movements!), or even a bit of sticky tape on the table.
- Don’t force or bend the clip, it’s sprung to keep the battery tight to the contacts.
- Take your time in a clear, clean, quiet space with good lighting and relaxed frame of mind. 80% of my b*lls-ups with watches have come simply from rushing or losing my rag.
- Tweezers will greatly help in handling that little screw, but careful not to squeeze the prongs too tightly or the screw will ping off somewhere - the blu tack or rodico can also help to remove & retain the screw once loosened.
- Whilst at it, if you have some silicone grease a (very, very) light smear of the rubber case back gasket before replacing the case back will help maintain water resistance, but be careful not to stretch, shear or crimp that seal when replacing the case back.
Good luck, it’s an easy enough task made fiddly by the small parts.
Edited by UnclePat on Wednesday 16th March 21:58
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