RePlacing battery myself?

[gaz1234]

Can I?
Should I?
How do I?

It's a golana, can I get a tool?

[ecain63]

Its easy if you have the tools (actually, its easy even without the tools usually).

Is it a screw back or is it a pen-knife job?

Once your in, its easy. Just make sure you have a new seal ready, or at least don't bugger up the current one.

[gaz1234]

Looks like screw back.
Get this? http://www.watchbattery.co.uk/shop/products/TL-C55...
Where do I get seals?

[ecain63]

You got a pic of the case back?

Seals can be had off ebay or from watch part suppliers. O-rings tend to come in gauge sizes.

[gaz1234]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/watch-seal ?
It's a golana

[ecain63]

I use an old school variation of one of these:
http://www.jewellersequipment.co.uk/item.jaxa.html

Easy to use so long as you have a steady hand and dont slip.

Simply unscrew (taking note of case back position with marker pen on case and case back), take out battery (may require fine screwdriver to release battery terminal), refit new, replace seal and screw back on. You'll know its back on tight enough if you've marked the case back pisition before you removed it. Should be job done.

[gaz1234]

ecain63 said:

I use an old school variation of one of these:
http://www.jewellersequipment.co.uk/item.jaxa.html

Easy to use so long as you have a steady hand and dont slip.

Simply unscrew (taking note of case back position with marker pen on case and case back), take out battery (may require fine screwdriver to release battery terminal), refit new, replace seal and screw back on. You'll know its back on tight enough if you've marked the case back pisition before you removed it. Should be job done.

Ok cool.
Is this tool better?

[ecain63]

No idea, but its what I use and it works for 99% of screw backs.

Tip: when the back is off, be sure not to touch any other part of the movement or circuit. They are very easily damaged. Changing a battery should be child's play though.

[Variomatic]

gaz1234 said:

Looks like screw back.
Get this? http://www.watchbattery.co.uk/shop/products/TL-C55...
Where do I get seals?

You're better with one of the cheap jaxa type tools that Eddie linked than that one. The problem with the one in your link is that the prongs are too long compared to the size of the tool so, if the back's tight, it'll tend to fall over sideways as you put any real pressure on - almost guaranteed to scratch the back.

With the jaxa type you have 3 points of contact instead of 2 so it's far more stable under pressure. The cheap copies work as well as the "real" ones except that the tips (especially the Rolex "tooth" type ones) don't stand up to continuous use all that well. For occasional use on your own watches they'll be fine though.

If you do change it yourself, please don't be tempted to use the "50 for a £" cards of batteries - apart from being the wrong chemistry (alkaline instead of silver oxide) they will leak and cause expensive damage. get a decent branded watch cell - preferably Renata, Maxel or Sony - if you want to avoid future problems

[mybrainhurts]

The little screws that secure the battery can launch themselves into orbit. Take care or you'll lose it/them.

[gaz1234]

this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/jaxa
which battery do you think i need?

[VEIGHT]

It will say on the one you take out

[ecain63]

^^ This.

[gaz1234]

sure, would rather know before hand?...
these ok http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100x-Round-o-ring-GASKET... ?

[VEIGHT]

How old is the watch? I wouldn't touch the gasket unless it looked worn / damaged.

One you take the back off, the gasket normally stays in place. When you remove this gasket it can be a pain to put back in place.

No easy way of telling which battery it is unless the manufacturer / someone that has done it before tells you!

[ecain63]

The thing i'd do is take the battery out and then take the battery to your local Maplin component store. They will sell you one for no more than a pound and it'll be the right one. Then pop home and refit.

[Variomatic]

More details on the watch might help with the battery. Looking at the brand online, they seem to do a lot of different styles which will have different movements and different batteries.

A model number or photo might help track down the right one

[mybrainhurts]

ecain63 said:

The thing i'd do is take the battery out and then take the battery to your local Maplin component store. They will sell you one for no more than a pound and it'll be the right one. Then pop home and refit.

Ebay is easier.

[ecain63]

Unless you want it same day.

[gaz1234]

its a 2year old golana hardly worn.