I have a Seiko watch and am thinking about ordering one of those special tools that I can use to open the back of the watch case which has six slots in the periphery. I’m thinking about doing my own battery replacements - as opposed to taking it to a jeweler.
Anyway, what are the dangers of doing so? Can I ruin it? Is the torque of sealing the watch critical?
And what’s the difference between a Swiss movement and a Japanese movement? In watches, that is.
Just wondering.
It seems to me that you can still ruin the watch even with that tool, but without the appropriate training and expertise. Also, what does a jeweler charge to change a watch battery? Five bucks? Ten bucks? What does the tool cost and how often do you expect to need to change the battery? And how valuable is the watch? In other words, I’d recommend just taking the watch to a jeweler and let them assume the risk.
The worst thing you can do by opening the watch yourself is damaging the whisper-thin gasket that’s between the back and the body of the watch.
How much does the tool cost?
How much does the jeweler charge you for a battery replacement?
Can you buy the battery at a Wal-Mart-type store or do you have to go to a jewelry store?
How long does a battery typically last in your watch?
:smack:
Great minds think alike, I see. 
I used to work in a pawn shop and changed quite a few batteries. Most watches have backs that need to be pried off, while a few had backs that unscrewed. It’s not complicated by any means. Just keep in mind the fragility of the watch.
Okay, I was probably nuts to even consider doing that. Maybe I won’t, now that I think about ti.
So what about the movements?
! About $18 + S&H
Maybe $10-15. Don’t really remember
Don’t know. I was thinking Radio Shack.
At least a year.
BUT I’M NOT GOING TO DO IT. ANSWERED OUT OF COURTESY.
Warning: the two things people do wrong when they do this is 1)they place the watch on a hard surface and crack the glass when they press down. It’s best done on a deskpad that has a little give to cushion the glass, 2)they do not replace the gasket or do not seat the gasket properly when replacing back.
Huh. I thought “What a great idea!” And then read this.
Anything “whisper-thin” between me and my objective is going to get broken and/or torn.
Obviously nobody knows, and I don’t either other than 1. The Swiss have been making watch and chronometer movements for a very long time, and 2. Whatever the Japanese make is usually very good and also less expensive.
I have a very good Swiss chronometer which is quite accurate, but it is ironic that a $9.95 Radio Shack digital watch probably keeps better time, alas.
Your Swiss chronometer will still be working in 100 years with just a wind-up, whereas you won’t be able to buy batteries for your RS watch.
In 100 years, Earth time will be among the least of KlondikeGeoff’s concerns.
And thank you all.
This is along the lines of why most folks don’t have a few machines in their garage just so they can mount and spin balance their own tires. 
Ya know…Harbour Freight sells stuff to do just that! :dubious:
Yer slippin’, Blank.
Bah, ‘The Proof is left as an excercise to the reader.’ 
Oh, I don’t know; I’m only 77 now and I’d just as soon try to outlive my watch. 