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Quality?

PostPosted: 28 Oct 2016, 15:22
by Rod
The battery in one of my watches died - the last one cost me £50 to be replaced, so I considered changing myself as the actual batteries cost less than a £1.
I tried the various methods shown on Utube without success so in the end sent off for a watch back opening tool.
There's various ones on offer for a few pounds but they looked cheap and nasty so opted to buy a better quality one from one of the few remaining Horological suppliers Meadows & Passmore.
It cost me £12 instead of £3 but looked exactly the same as the cheapos - it did come in a wooden box though.
There must be somewhere that sells quality watch tools as I cannot imagine professional repairers would use these ones - I'm a bit disappointed in M&P.
The great thing is that it did work and I've now sent off for the correct battery.
My repair won't include a pressure test but as I don't go diving and never swim wearing it, I've saved myself a few pounds.

My wife's watch has a push in back which is supposed to have a small notch, which I couldn't find, despite buying a back remover "knife" and using a magnifying glass. So had to give up on that and had the battery changed for £25.

Cannot win them all?

Rod

Re: Quality?

PostPosted: 28 Oct 2016, 17:32
by Tusses
I find this a lot with just about anything

Precision screwdrivers etc.. well any screwdrivers come to think of it.
They need to be sharp and strong.
Yet they either are made of cheese or brittlonium

Like you, I never know how much to spend before you don't just get the same cheap set you get from poundland. It seems you can go quite a way up the price band, and the product is the exact same as the cheapest out there

Re: Quality?

PostPosted: 28 Oct 2016, 18:39
by Andyp
Jeez, Rod, the M&P website harks back to the olden days. Hardly secure either.

I have a set of grandads Precista screwdrivers with hardened blades with the price printed on the box 8/6! They have served me well for glasses repair as well as watch back removal.

Unfortunately user serviceability, or lack of, is the price we pay for the initial product price being so low (relatively). Built in obsolescence! Don't get me started :evil:

Re: Quality?

PostPosted: 28 Oct 2016, 19:10
by 9fingers
When I needed watchmakers tools for work I used these places

https://www.cousinsuk.com/

https://www.hswalsh.com/

http://www.cooksongold.com/Watch-Making-Supplies/

HTH

Bob

Quality?

PostPosted: 28 Oct 2016, 22:14
by Rod
I had a look at the Walsh site and perhaps I should stop complaining - the quality tool costs £129!
Their similar economy one costs £25 whereas I paid half that.

Rod

Re: Quality?

PostPosted: 29 Oct 2016, 15:47
by kirkpoore1
Rod wrote:I had a look at the Walsh site and perhaps I should stop complaining - the quality tool costs £129!
Their similar economy one costs £25 whereas I paid half that.

Rod


You get what you pay for. If you're only going to use it a few times, you can get away with Chinese crap. Otherwise, quality is worth it.

Kirk

Re: Quality?

PostPosted: 31 Oct 2016, 19:07
by Rod
Battery arrived today (cost 79p plus 25p postage).
Fitted and watch now up and running.
Scratches on back caused by trying to open with long nosed pliers (YouTube!).

Image

Rod

Re: Quality?

PostPosted: 31 Oct 2016, 22:43
by DaveL
That looks a useful tool, did it work easily?

Re: Quality?

PostPosted: 01 Nov 2016, 01:04
by Rod
Yes thanks - there are some cheaper ones with only 2 studs but I would have had to separate the bracelet as they are quite tall. This one got underneath.
There's a few videos showing using long nosed pliers but all I succeeded with them is scratching the back!

Rod

Re: Quality?

PostPosted: 29 Aug 2017, 12:57
by Woodbloke
I can't replace the battery on mine even if it had one...the second hand 'sweeps' ;) :D - Rob