Longines Watch Battery

[craft1948]

It's just cost me £60 to have the battery in my Longines watch replaced. I have tried to find a cheaper place to send it (I took it to the Watch Lab this time) but can't seem to find anywhere that is Longines approved......any ideas?

[Khandro]

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f405/longines-case-back-tool-775219.html

[venator]

I had the same problem with my Omega watch. I used to take it to Boodles in Manchester, where it cost a tenner and the watchmaker did the job in an hour or so.

Omega have now withdrawn support to dealers, and I've been quoted £60 - 90. I've found a man who does work for the trade and it;s costing me about £15.

Incidentally, I had it cleaned last year by Omega's own shop in the Trafford Centre. It went back to Switzerland and cost me £360!

Next time, I'll buy 10 fake Omegas and bin them when the batteries go.

[stuey]

Gingejbee, mine is an Accutron 218 "tuning fork" made in 1973. You have to make sure that the battery goes in with the negative side up. Tony, I don't consider those "special" tools: they're merely case-back openers and any reputable watch maker should own an assortment of them. By the way, MOST jewelers do NOT repair watches: they send them to a watch maker who charges his/her fee, and then the jeweler tacks on his/her fee...So, in essence, you're paying twice.

[craft1948]

Thanks Chris, I've rung Fraser Hart and they've quoted me £45...