Crazy watch doesn't work correctly - thoughts? (*it was the battery*)

[MichaelD]

I bought a decent watch about two months ago. I've had good luck with Casio's and bought this to replace the almost identical watch that I accidentally broke. Here's the (new) watch: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o00_s00_i00

About two weeks after receiving it, this weird thing started happening. The watch will just stop. And restart. And stop. It'll run for a day or a few days or a week, then stop all by itself. Sometimes moving the hands by setting the proper time will restart it, sometimes not. There's nothing wrong with the crown/movement that I can tell. It operates smoothly, no binding etc. If the battery was dead, it wouldn't work at all, right? I've never seen a watch battery go "kinda dead." They either work or not.

I'm wondering if I should get the battery replaced (possibly wasting money) or send it to Casio for repair? After two months the seller on Amazon wouldn't take it back. Thoughts?

 

[LTC8K6]

I think a battery is worth a try with what you have described.

It's under warranty with Casio, and they are probably going to ask you if you tried a new battery.

Casio, and other watch companies often install a "starter" battery in some of their watch models. It's a cheaper battery that doesn't last as long as the real battery.

 

[MichaelD]

Wow, really? "Starter battery?" Never heard of that before. I know about "Starter laser toner" but not batteries. Hmm. Now to find a jewelry store that replaces watch batteries. They don't all do that anymore. That's how I destroyed my last watch. I wasn't careful when prying out the battery and all kinds of parts popped out and disappeared.

 

[jupiter57]

Wow, really? "Starter battery?" Never heard of that before. I know about "Starter laser toner" but not batteries. Hmm. Now to find a jewelry store that replaces watch batteries. They don't all do that anymore. That's how I destroyed my last watch. I wasn't careful when prying out the battery and all kinds of parts popped out and disappeared.

Take it to Wal-Mart, the Jewelry Dept. will replace it for you free. (You still have to pay for the battery).

 

[MichaelD]

Take it to Wal-Mart, the Jewelry Dept. will replace it for you free. (You still have to pay for the battery).

Thank you for the suggestion. What worries me about doing that is that with my luck, the person behind the counter won't be a "jewelry dept person" but some guy from Receiving that they just put there during the day.

This watch is waterproof and has a rubber o-ring that seals the back and the case. Jewelers have this "spray glue" (best I can describe) that holds the ring in place but doesn't "set" like regular glue. Without that spray stuff, getting the back put back on without the o-ring slipping out of place is almost impossible.

But, I will make a trip there this weekend and ask the person behind the counter how many batteries they've replaced. If I can get it done for less than $10 I'd be very happy.

 

[jupiter57]

Thank you for the suggestion. What worries me about doing that is that with my luck, the person behind the counter won't be a "jewelry dept person" but some guy from Receiving that they just put there during the day.

This watch is waterproof and has a rubber o-ring that seals the back and the case. Jewelers have this "spray glue" (best I can describe) that holds the ring in place but doesn't "set" like regular glue. Without that spray stuff, getting the back put back on without the o-ring slipping out of place is almost impossible.

But, I will make a trip there this weekend and ask the person behind the counter how many batteries they've replaced. If I can get it done for less than $10 I'd be very happy.

I found this out by accident.
Little podunk town, watch battery died.
Went to WM (Only store in town) and asked for a new battery.
Lady behind the counter asked for the watch, popped the back off, looked at battery, found correct replacement, installed it, replaced watch back, and charged me ~$3-$4, IIRC.

Chances are, if they are working in Jewelry, they have replaced a few watch batteries.

 

[MichaelD]

Just wanted to report back. It was indeed the battery and the person behind the counter at WalMart was familiar with "waterproof watches" and the "rubber seal behind the back." She did a great job; was very careful to slowly lift the back off as to not let the o-ring slip out of the groove. It didn't move and that's key to keeping a simple job a simple job vs. "search, rescue and reconstruction." $6.71, total. Don't know if that was just the cost of battery or if it was battery + install. Didn't care. Just overjoyed to get my new watch back in one piece for under ten bucks. :thumbsup: