Please assist me with some dive watch maintainence

[nbp]

Hi guys,
I need to do some routine maintenance on a dive watch and I'm looking for advice. First of all, I have a Festina Sub Diver. It's not super expensive, but at about $200 I'd rather not wreck anything. Also, I don't actually dive with it. I do swim with it and it finds it's way into the shower pretty frequently. I like the dive watch though because it's big and heavy and very tough.

Ok, my battery died so I need to replace it. Some jewelers I asked did not want to do it as it's a dive watch and they don't have the ability to pressure test it afterwards and don't want to be liable if it fails later.

I think I'm just going to buy a caseback wrench (they're cheap on the bay) and change the battery myself then. My questions:

1) Should I automatically change the o-ring inside while it's open to ensure a good seal? If so, are they specialized and where should I get it?

2) Is it really necessary to get it pressure tested? Like I said I don't dive but I Definitely want it to be watertight. Some places I found online charge a mint for pressure testing. Are there places that do it cheaper? Or should I get some parts together and build my own pressure tester (doesn't look too tough based on my reading) or should I just snug it up and not worry about it?

Suggestions from divers and watch enthusiasts welcome!

Thanks everyone

 

[tiktok 22]

I've changed the battery on my TAG a few times and always inspect the seal. I lube it before i tighten the case back as to not tear it(silicone spray). So far It has been plenty water resistant for my needs. It's not hard to do. Personally I would do it myself and not have it pressure tested at that price.

 

[gcbryan]

I would just be careful and not have it pressure tested as well. I'm a diver and have a cheap dive watch as well as several dive computers.

When my dive watch needs a battery I'm going to do it myself and then just not use it as a dive watch anymore. I will take it in the shower. You shouldn't have a problem.

If you can find the proper o-ring change it but otherwise just re lube it and it should be fine.

 

[mossyoak]

unless its a pressurized case youve really got nothing to worry about, and being a $200 festina im doubting its pressurized. buy the tool swap the battery and put some grease on the o-ring on and continue use. its really about as tricky as changing the batteries in a flashlight.

 

[Per-Sev]

I think if you a careful and have the proper tools to open the watch then why not try it. I have taken a watch in to get the battery replaced and they scratched the crap out of the back when there tool slipped and they said it was like that when I brought it in and it was the first time I had the battery replaced in that watch. So if you decide not to do it your self then watch where you take it sometimes the cheap places are cheap for a reason. The gaskets are usually good for a few openings unless they are really dried out from salts or chemicals from a swimming pool and there is a lot of build up of dirt around it you should be alright. I would wash the watch very good with a tooth brush and make sure you remove as much dirt build up in between the case and the back as you can before you open it up.

 

[nbp]

Ok, that's basically what I wanted to know. :thumbsup:

I will just get a wrench and do it myself, and then at least I know that it was put back together properly, and was cleaned and lubed well before reassembly. You are all probably right; if I do this and I'm careful not to pinch the o-ring while resealing, it will probably be just fine. The pressure testing is a good precaution for actual diving, but likely not necessary for my purposes.

Although building a pressure tester and checking dive watches might be a good hobby-business idea, as it doesn't seem there are many people around who do it...

 

[stockae92]

have fun!

i have done numerous DIY G-Shock battery change with no problem. most of the times the old seals are in good condition, lubed and goes back in. i replace seals only if they are too dried out or damaged

my watches also goes into the pool and shower and no WR problem.

 

[nbp]

I have a G-shock too, and yes, they are a breeze to replace batteries on. With the easily accessible screws in the caseback, all you need is a small screwdriver! :thumbsup:

 

[Toy Sun]

How did your self-maintenance work out?
I have a rather cheap ($100) Momentum dive watch that I wear swimming, but not diving, where I let the computer do the work.

I took it to a dept. store jeweler who assured me that he could change the battery. Didn't do the pressure test (I didn't know about it) and the watch leaked from swimming.

Momentum repaired it ($70, essentially they sent me a new watch) and I learned my lesson. Back to them for new batteries.