A battery change by CW would be done by a qualified and experienced watchmaker. A battery change say at your local jewellers, would in all probability be by a competent sales assistant. They don’t command the premium hourly rate as a CW watchmaker, hence a price difference.

Richard D wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2022 10:21 pm A battery change by CW would be done by a qualified and experienced watchmaker.

That is, of course, an assumption. Maybe qualified, but not experienced. Because it is such an easy job, it probably goes to the newest member of their team.

I too am assuming this, due to obvious lack of watchmaking experience needed to complete this task.

It must be easy if someone as cack-handed as me can do it.

I only have one quartz watch, but it’s an Omega so I want it done properly. (But not as ‘properly’ as Omega would do it!) I’ve been using a local watchmaker for my battery changes over the 15 years I’ve owned it. He recently charged me £50 which includes a pressure test and a water resistance and battery guarantee. I think that’s reasonable.

TheBeatles wrote: ↑Sat Oct 01, 2022 6:46 am That is, of course, an assumption. Maybe qualified, but not experienced. Because it is such an easy job, it probably goes to the newest member of their team.

I too am assuming this, due to obvious lack of watchmaking experience needed to complete this task.

It must be easy if someone as cack-handed as me can do it.

No:1 Park Street is a small place and one can’t but not notice the work being done. From the watchmakers to the post room there is an orderly, confident and professional pride in all their work. Never fails to impress me. A battery change at CW is as good as it gets.

Macdaz wrote: ↑Sat Oct 01, 2022 9:30 am I only have one quartz watch, but it’s an Omega so I want it done properly. (But not as ‘properly’ as Omega would do it!) I’ve been using a local watchmaker for my battery changes over the 15 years I’ve owned it. He recently charged me £50 which includes a pressure test and a water resistance and battery guarantee. I think that’s reasonable.

I think that's proportionate. If you only paid have a cheap watch, under £50, you wouldn't want to pay half the watch cost for a new battery, would you?

Remember that one cell battery may not be the same as another cell battery. Many of the discount 'battery changers' use cheap replacements that can leak, swell or simply expire earlier than those from reputable brands. Precise batteries (make/item number) are specified by some movement suppliers for use in their quartz movements. It's not worth cutting corners IMO.

I recall paying close to $100 back in 2004 for a Tag Heuer AD to replace the battery, check seals and perform a pressure test on my 2000 Professional chrono. I considered it then, and do so now, as part of the cost of ownership.

That said, I have also used a local jeweler who does great work. He charges $15 for a battery change and examination of the seals.

Not had my autos long enough to need servicing but now a bit worried about future costs after reading this just for an official battery change

What is the cost for CW to service a Sellita 3 hander and a Sellita 4 hander these days?

I imagine at the price CW pays for these movements, and given labour costs these days, it is cheaper to chuck the old movement in the bin and replace with a new one, rather than service them.

nowttolose wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 3:23 pm What is the cost for CW to service a Sellita 3 hander and a Sellita 4 hander these days?

I imagine at the price CW pays for these movements, and given labour costs these days, it is cheaper to chuck the old movement in the bin and replace with a new one, rather than service them.

Three hands was £150 last time I had a Makaira serviced.
I agree that a replacement movement must work out more cost-effective than the labour to strip, clean and rebuild?

I'd be interested to know what the 'new' price is.

FloridaPhil wrote: ↑Sun Oct 02, 2022 5:46 pm Remember that one cell battery may not be the same as another cell battery. Many of the discount 'battery changers' use cheap replacements that can leak, swell or simply expire earlier than those from reputable brands. Precise batteries (make/item number) are specified by some movement suppliers for use in their quartz movements. It's not worth cutting corners IMO.

CW fit Renata batteries which cost around 20-50 pence each

Renton wrote:

nowttolose wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 3:23 pm What is the cost for CW to service a Sellita 3 hander and a Sellita 4 hander these days?

I imagine at the price CW pays for these movements, and given labour costs these days, it is cheaper to chuck the old movement in the bin and replace with a new one, rather than service them.

Three hands was £150 last time I had a Makaira serviced.
I agree that a replacement movement must work out more cost-effective than the labour to strip, clean and rebuild?

I'd be interested to know what the 'new' price is.

Maybe train a service team based India or the like, and ship watch movements out there for service.

A fraction of the cost of doing it in the U.K.

It is done for call centres, so suspect it could be done for movement service.

Renton wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 5:23 pm Three hands was £150 last time I had a Makaira serviced.
I agree that a replacement movement must work out more cost-effective than the labour to strip, clean and rebuild?

I'd be interested to know what the 'new' price is.

nowttolose wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 3:23 pm What is the cost for CW to service a Sellita 3 hander and a Sellita 4 hander these days?

I imagine at the price CW pays for these movements, and given labour costs these days, it is cheaper to chuck the old movement in the bin and replace with a new one, rather than service them.

I don't think chucking movements would fall within CWs environmental impact goals.

To be fair there’s a price increase in almost everything around the world


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk