Replace Battery in a Tag
Discussion
Hi
I have a Tag 2000 or something that I purchased in 1998. I wore it often, It had its battery changed several times over the first 15 years once it started doing that 4 second tick thing they do. The last time I wore it was at least 4 years ago and I put it in a drawer and forgot about it. Bought an Omega.
I now want to get the battery changed but the local dealer who took the watch and sent it off have now quoted £295 to replace the battery and a whole load of other work. They say that the movement has high consumption and therefore draining more power from the battery than normal. Caused by oils in the gear train beginning to congeal....a new crown, pressure test and a replacement of the hands due to the luminous starting to crack.
Ive asked for it to be sent back as it is. Im not saying that the price is not fair, I have no idea whats involved but I cant imagine the watch is worth £295 and it certainly doesn't mean enough to me to have all that done. I asked if they would just replace the battery and I accept that it might need replacing again in a year but they wont complete that type of work.
My question is : can any one replace the battery or does it have to be done by a Tag re seller? I'm sure if I can find someone to take the back off and put in a battery they would be happy to do so. I really don't care about it being waterproof and Im sure that with a watch as mass produced as this there must be other ways to change the battery.
Thank you
I have a Tag 2000 or something that I purchased in 1998. I wore it often, It had its battery changed several times over the first 15 years once it started doing that 4 second tick thing they do. The last time I wore it was at least 4 years ago and I put it in a drawer and forgot about it. Bought an Omega.
I now want to get the battery changed but the local dealer who took the watch and sent it off have now quoted £295 to replace the battery and a whole load of other work. They say that the movement has high consumption and therefore draining more power from the battery than normal. Caused by oils in the gear train beginning to congeal....a new crown, pressure test and a replacement of the hands due to the luminous starting to crack.
Ive asked for it to be sent back as it is. Im not saying that the price is not fair, I have no idea whats involved but I cant imagine the watch is worth £295 and it certainly doesn't mean enough to me to have all that done. I asked if they would just replace the battery and I accept that it might need replacing again in a year but they wont complete that type of work.
My question is : can any one replace the battery or does it have to be done by a Tag re seller? I'm sure if I can find someone to take the back off and put in a battery they would be happy to do so. I really don't care about it being waterproof and Im sure that with a watch as mass produced as this there must be other ways to change the battery.
Thank you
Edited by oldaudi on Wednesday 20th September 17:38
Yeah anyone who takes care should be able to replace the battery no problem. They may not want to guarantee the watch or the life of the battery if it has high consumption (and for this reason some guys may not want to touch it), but a Tag 2000 has nothing particularly difficult in there. In fact the movement is pretty much the most durable and ubiquitous quartz you can get, you see them in loads of Swiss watches even today.
Had batteries changed in back of high street Jewellers for my Tag from £30 in past, literally took them 5 minutes... so must be an easy thing to do.
I also had to pay £230 for a replacement battery when the "pcb" went... which included a polish, suspect that is point you are reaching.
I wear my watch daily and have done so since 2001 so numerous batteries over the years..
I also had to pay £230 for a replacement battery when the "pcb" went... which included a polish, suspect that is point you are reaching.
I wear my watch daily and have done so since 2001 so numerous batteries over the years..
I'm guessing the retailer sent it back to TAG Heuer? Official Brand servicing is always more expensive, but even so...
Take it to any independent watch maker - google for decent ones (not one who also mends shoes or cuts keys!) and check for reviews (there's a lot of hacks around). But as stated, even know-nothing high street jewellers can change a battery for £20-£30.
I've no idea if what they are saying re movement 'consumption' is correct, but that cost sounds extortionate.
Even if you wanted to replace the entire movement (which is what they will do), then generic Quartz movements of the type that will be in your watch are dirt cheap - £25 or less. Of course, there is (minimal) labour and some small skill involved in replacing it.
A new crown is deemed necessary because the rubber gaskets around it will have deteriorated and the watch is almost certainly no-longer fully waterproof. The signed crown may be a TAG OEM part that's tricky for an independent to source, but even so, if you're happy not to wear it in or around water then it probably doesn't need replaced. It's just something that often tends to be replaced as a matter of course at service.
In the same fashion, the rubber o-rings around the crystal & case back are also likely to be a bit decrepit with age. Again though, that's really only an issue around water. The case back o-ring could be replaced by a generic one bought online - there's loads of sets for a few quid online, and you can buy a silicon grease tub also for under £10 which would last forever. You'll not be able to do the crystal or crown gaskets yourself, though.
You don't need a pressure test if you don't care about it being waterproof.
The hands don't really matter, unless you particularly want fully-working lume or the aesthetic look annoys you. In theory, crumbling lume is replaced because watchmakers don't want to run the risk of servicing a mechanical movement only for crumbly lume to work its way in & ruin their work. Of course, TAG will also recommend it 'just because'. Also, if you replace them you'll likely have new hands that don't match the look of the older dial. It's a Quartz movement, you're fine to leave them untouched.
If you want to change the battery yourself, it's really not that hard. The case back will be either a snap-on or screw-off. If the former, a sharp knife will get it off - there'll be a small lip/space in the case. If the latter (and it almost certainly is), then you need an adjustable case-back opener. For that though, you're best buying a cheap watch tool-kit from Amazon or e-bay for £10 and it will contain everything you need - case-back knife, case-back opener, bracelet adjustment tools, screwdrivers, tweezers etc. They'll all be rough & cheap but they'll get the job done ok. Google the battery type you have & buy one for a couple of quid online. Be careful poking around inside the movement & use a wooden toothpick or something plastic to pry or poke the battery in/out. Tape off areas on the case if necessary & take your time to avoid scratches. If the case back is snap-on, they can be tricky to press on again, but patience & a flat surface with consistent pressure should do it. Again, you can buy a case back press & dies online for £10.
Take it to any independent watch maker - google for decent ones (not one who also mends shoes or cuts keys!) and check for reviews (there's a lot of hacks around). But as stated, even know-nothing high street jewellers can change a battery for £20-£30.
I've no idea if what they are saying re movement 'consumption' is correct, but that cost sounds extortionate.
Even if you wanted to replace the entire movement (which is what they will do), then generic Quartz movements of the type that will be in your watch are dirt cheap - £25 or less. Of course, there is (minimal) labour and some small skill involved in replacing it.
A new crown is deemed necessary because the rubber gaskets around it will have deteriorated and the watch is almost certainly no-longer fully waterproof. The signed crown may be a TAG OEM part that's tricky for an independent to source, but even so, if you're happy not to wear it in or around water then it probably doesn't need replaced. It's just something that often tends to be replaced as a matter of course at service.
In the same fashion, the rubber o-rings around the crystal & case back are also likely to be a bit decrepit with age. Again though, that's really only an issue around water. The case back o-ring could be replaced by a generic one bought online - there's loads of sets for a few quid online, and you can buy a silicon grease tub also for under £10 which would last forever. You'll not be able to do the crystal or crown gaskets yourself, though.
You don't need a pressure test if you don't care about it being waterproof.
The hands don't really matter, unless you particularly want fully-working lume or the aesthetic look annoys you. In theory, crumbling lume is replaced because watchmakers don't want to run the risk of servicing a mechanical movement only for crumbly lume to work its way in & ruin their work. Of course, TAG will also recommend it 'just because'. Also, if you replace them you'll likely have new hands that don't match the look of the older dial. It's a Quartz movement, you're fine to leave them untouched.
If you want to change the battery yourself, it's really not that hard. The case back will be either a snap-on or screw-off. If the former, a sharp knife will get it off - there'll be a small lip/space in the case. If the latter (and it almost certainly is), then you need an adjustable case-back opener. For that though, you're best buying a cheap watch tool-kit from Amazon or e-bay for £10 and it will contain everything you need - case-back knife, case-back opener, bracelet adjustment tools, screwdrivers, tweezers etc. They'll all be rough & cheap but they'll get the job done ok. Google the battery type you have & buy one for a couple of quid online. Be careful poking around inside the movement & use a wooden toothpick or something plastic to pry or poke the battery in/out. Tape off areas on the case if necessary & take your time to avoid scratches. If the case back is snap-on, they can be tricky to press on again, but patience & a flat surface with consistent pressure should do it. Again, you can buy a case back press & dies online for £10.
Woah! Thank you for your detailed responses. It would appear that Tag obviously want to keep the integrity of their brands by doing the Full Works on this watch when reality is I just want a battery.
Ill take a look around the Bristol area and find a smaller dealer who might be able to complete the work. Its good to know that they dont need special equipment that costs £10Ks from Tag in order to do the work and that its possible to get the back off with some smaller tools!
Thank you all
Ill take a look around the Bristol area and find a smaller dealer who might be able to complete the work. Its good to know that they dont need special equipment that costs £10Ks from Tag in order to do the work and that its possible to get the back off with some smaller tools!
Thank you all
Well this fortuitous....... just got off the phone from my local EJ..... I handed my watch in on the 12th August and after much faffing and it went from a new battery to a full service. I got told after calling EJ today I can expect my watch back on the 24th October!!!!
What the ACTUAL..........****.... I don't mind paying for it but for it to be gone almost 2 1/2 months which is stupid.
EJ are saying because it was found to need a new movement on 23rd August and confirmed by me to go ahead with the work on the 25th its actually within the 8 week work it can take........
Advise please? I'm fuming.... its only a bloody quartz movement watch (which holds sentimental value)........
What the ACTUAL..........****.... I don't mind paying for it but for it to be gone almost 2 1/2 months which is stupid.
EJ are saying because it was found to need a new movement on 23rd August and confirmed by me to go ahead with the work on the 25th its actually within the 8 week work it can take........
Advise please? I'm fuming.... its only a bloody quartz movement watch (which holds sentimental value)........
The idea of an expensive 'service' of a quartz movement is a bit of a joke, I've had an ETA movement in an old Tag F1 replaced for a lot less than that after I left it with a dead battery and it leaked. 
As has already been mentioned, buy a cheap Chinese watch tool kit from eBay/Amazon for £10 pop the back off, buy a replacement battery from eBay for about £2 and fit it, if you can change the battery in a car alarm fob you can change one in a watch.
If it was something really expensive and you required the watertight performance then yes, I'd get it done somewhere that can then pressure test it, but if the only water it sees is a splash when washing your hands then I wouldn't worry about it, I've changed batteries in my Omega Seamaster, Tag F1, and the Mrs's Accurist using the above method, my Brietling B1 is a little more tricky due to the case back design but I have a man I take these things to, so avoiding the 'main dealer' tax.
As has already been mentioned, buy a cheap Chinese watch tool kit from eBay/Amazon for £10 pop the back off, buy a replacement battery from eBay for about £2 and fit it, if you can change the battery in a car alarm fob you can change one in a watch.
If it was something really expensive and you required the watertight performance then yes, I'd get it done somewhere that can then pressure test it, but if the only water it sees is a splash when washing your hands then I wouldn't worry about it, I've changed batteries in my Omega Seamaster, Tag F1, and the Mrs's Accurist using the above method, my Brietling B1 is a little more tricky due to the case back design but I have a man I take these things to, so avoiding the 'main dealer' tax.
I went to EJ for a battery replacement, they sent of to there department advised it would cost £50,
waiting 2 weeks to be told it needed to be sent to Tag Service as they couldn't fix it.
4 weeks later EJ called and advised it needs a service not a battery as a pin that holds the battery in place is broken and come part of the service pack, which would cost £270.
I Declined as EJ was taking the piss making me wait 6 weeks just to figure out the problem was,
it took another 2 weeks to get the watch back.
currently sitting in a draw at home, waiting for my to save enough to send for service.
any recommendations in the Oxfordshire area.
waiting 2 weeks to be told it needed to be sent to Tag Service as they couldn't fix it.
4 weeks later EJ called and advised it needs a service not a battery as a pin that holds the battery in place is broken and come part of the service pack, which would cost £270.
I Declined as EJ was taking the piss making me wait 6 weeks just to figure out the problem was,
it took another 2 weeks to get the watch back.
currently sitting in a draw at home, waiting for my to save enough to send for service.
any recommendations in the Oxfordshire area.
MURRAY007 said:
4 weeks later EJ called and advised it needs a service not a battery as a pin that holds the battery in place is broken and come part of the service pack, which would cost £270.
What watch is it? I bet the part is available for under a tenner from some sort of 'online' trader. 
MURRAY007 said:
I went to EJ for a battery replacement, they sent of to there department advised it would cost £50,
waiting 2 weeks to be told it needed to be sent to Tag Service as they couldn't fix it.
4 weeks later EJ called and advised it needs a service not a battery as a pin that holds the battery in place is broken and come part of the service pack, which would cost £270.
I Declined as EJ was taking the piss making me wait 6 weeks just to figure out the problem was,
it took another 2 weeks to get the watch back.
currently sitting in a draw at home, waiting for my to save enough to send for service.
any recommendations in the Oxfordshire area.
Variomatic on here, though he is taking a much needed holiday soon waiting 2 weeks to be told it needed to be sent to Tag Service as they couldn't fix it.
4 weeks later EJ called and advised it needs a service not a battery as a pin that holds the battery in place is broken and come part of the service pack, which would cost £270.
I Declined as EJ was taking the piss making me wait 6 weeks just to figure out the problem was,
it took another 2 weeks to get the watch back.
currently sitting in a draw at home, waiting for my to save enough to send for service.
any recommendations in the Oxfordshire area.
MURRAY007 said:
I went to EJ for a battery replacement, they sent of to there department advised it would cost £50,
waiting 2 weeks to be told it needed to be sent to Tag Service as they couldn't fix it.
4 weeks later EJ called and advised it needs a service not a battery as a pin that holds the battery in place is broken and come part of the service pack, which would cost £270.
I Declined as EJ was taking the piss making me wait 6 weeks just to figure out the problem was,
it took another 2 weeks to get the watch back.
currently sitting in a draw at home, waiting for my to save enough to send for service.
any recommendations in the Oxfordshire area.
Joe Horner. Anglesey Clock and Watch. Google. Call/email. Post off. Happiness. Positive post on PH - Joe is a PH member.waiting 2 weeks to be told it needed to be sent to Tag Service as they couldn't fix it.
4 weeks later EJ called and advised it needs a service not a battery as a pin that holds the battery in place is broken and come part of the service pack, which would cost £270.
I Declined as EJ was taking the piss making me wait 6 weeks just to figure out the problem was,
it took another 2 weeks to get the watch back.
currently sitting in a draw at home, waiting for my to save enough to send for service.
any recommendations in the Oxfordshire area.
Joe is a top man. He helped me fix my sentimental value Breitling for a fraction of the extortionate cost Breitling wanted. I know you are more paying for the ads on the GP circuit and in GQ etc with some brands (it has a low cost ETA quartz movement...) but it was £1 to fix the clasp not £300 through Joe. He didn't want the £1 so I insisted I sent him a bit more, which he didn't want!!! These firms aren't even in the same league as £25 for an oil filter Sir!!!
Used these the last couple of times https://www.intime.co.uk/portfolio/battery-replace...
Cost was about £30 including pressure test. They have concessions in Debenhams and other places. Batteries from there have always lasted years (5+).
Cost was about £30 including pressure test. They have concessions in Debenhams and other places. Batteries from there have always lasted years (5+).
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