Breitling battery change-check the battery!

[helidoc]

Summary: Changed the battery but the hands no longer move

40mm Aerospace E75362

The display was blinking so I planned for a better change. I had the caseback tool, battery, and plastic Renata tweezers. It all seems to go fine, and although the digital functions are all fine, the hands don’t move, and won’t respond if I try to adjust them

A much more minor issue is that I can’t press fit the caseback.

I really don’t know what went wrong, I didn’t touch anything, but I must have done something wrong

At this stage, if sure it’s going to be a back to Breitling job, but if anyone has any words of wisdom I would love to hear it.

How do I get my caseback on? It doesn’t click no matter how I press. I can’t sent it back to the mothership with a loose caseback!

Dave, who is a bit miserable


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[ben4watches]

First of all you need a case back press, such as this as it will be a very tight fit

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Watch-Repai..._source=1&th=1

As for the for battery issue, well I cant really offer much guidance. The battery and connection to the movement obviously works as the digital functions are working. Maybe there is a procedure to follow once the battery is fitted such as shorting it, or a button press combination.

Whats the Calibre of the watch?

OK seems to be a breitling Cal 75 and just a normal battery swap and resetting of the time and date functions.

[helidoc]

Breitling B75 anadigital

Thanks for the caseback press suggestion, I have ordered one.

D


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[Tom-P]

ISTR it being said that you have to be careful when changing the battery as if you slip you can short the unit.

[ben4watches]

Just an addition thought, it may have something to do with the caseback not being fitted but I doubt it. Also is the crown in its normal position, ie pushed in and not in the pulled out position.

Not sure if this helpful or not

https://youtu.be/yNPxKiBmnUA?si=KYdp-EgLjIeQRyBJ

[helidoc]

ISTR it being said that you have to be careful when changing the battery as if you slip you can short the unit.

I tried to be careful. I had plastic renata tweezers although I had to flick the battery out with the edge of my nail. The old battery did fall onto the movement but not the coil, but I flicked it straight off.

D


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[PhilipK]

Are you sure that the replacement battery you fitted is a good one? A battery with low charge might have enough power for the digital display to work, but not enough to move the hands - and a large percentage of the "branded" batteries sold on Amazon/eBay/AliExpress/etc are fakes.

Or do you mean that you can't even move the hands manually using the crown?

[helidoc]

Are you sure that the replacement battery you fitted is a good one?

- and a large percentage of the "branded" batteries sold on Amazon/eBay/AliExpress/etc are fakes.

You beauty!

The battery was a “Renata 399” from eBay

I’ve tested it, it close to dead on my battery tester. That must be it, not enough power to drive the motor that drives the hands.




Lesson learnt. I’m going to by another from a reputable source

I’ll let you know if that works, but it sounds likely

The stress I have had this afternoon!

Best wishes

Dave


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[TomGW]

I have had exactly the same experience and now buy Renata batteries only from CPC Farnell. I’m not suggesting that they are the only reputable source or even the most cost effective, but at least I know they’re not fake or date expired etc. I have bought other stuff from them so that’s the only reason - I know that they are a genuine outfit.

BTW, if you happen to be a wood turner, or are friendly with one, you can easily make your own caseback press. At least the ‘pucks’ that can be used in a regular wood vise.

[Reeny]

Don't buy from Cousins. They keep old stock.
I ordered one or two quartz movements with batteries pre fitted, and the movements were dead on arrival.

A new battery was fitted when I cleared out the spares box just before the rubbish was binned, and they fired up straight up.
It was a cheap fix, but it took me 2- years to fix the problem.

I have not bought much from Cousins since then due to the terrible customer service.

[lewie]

I have had exactly the same experience and now buy Renata batteries only from CPC Farnell. I’m not suggesting that they are the only reputable source or even the most cost effective, but at least I know they’re not fake or date expired etc. I have bought other stuff from them so that’s the only reason - I know that they are a genuine outfit.

BTW, if you happen to be a wood turner, or are friendly with one, you can easily make your own caseback press. At least the ‘pucks’ that can be used in a regular wood vise.

Breilting in a wood vice  - a basic press is only a few £
Sounds like the duff battery was the issue

[walkerwek1958]

Don't buy from Cousins. They keep old stock.
I ordered one or two quartz movements with batteries pre fitted, and the movements were dead on arrival.

A new battery was fitted when I cleared out the spares box just before the rubbish was binned, and they fired up straight up.
It was a cheap fix, but it took me 2- years to fix the problem.

I have not bought much from Cousins since then due to the terrible customer service.

I' ve never had a dead movement or battery from Cousins but it' s something that concerns me, some of the movements have been in stock for several years. I always fit a new battery as a precaution. I think the batteries supplied from Cousins should be OK though.

Agree about the terrible customer service from Cousins!

[TomGW]

Breilting in a wood vice  - a basic press is only a few £
Sounds like the duff battery was the issue

I have a proper, old press with a selection of dies/pucks for both crystals and casebacks. The screw of the press is very similar to a small wood vise.

[Neil.C]

Let's hope you have it sorted now OP.

Some of those quartz snap backs can be impossible without a press.

[helidoc]

I think my cheap battery tester isn’t right for a silver oxide battery, so I shan’t know if I am out of the woods until Wednesday when the replacements arrive.

D


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[lewie]

I’ve a few Seizalken SR927W /399
Recon I could get one out to you today if it would help

[helidoc]

I’ve a few Seizalken SR927W /399
Recon I could get one out to you today if it would help

That’s so generous, but I have two new ones arriving Wednesday. At that point I will find out if it’s a dodgy battery, or dodgy technician!

D


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[lewie]

That’s so generous, but I have two new ones arriving Wednesday. At that point I will find out if it’s a dodgy battery, or dodgy technician!

D


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Ok no problem
My thought was I’d send it 1c today so it would be with you tomorrow but too late now
Hope it pans out ok

[PreacherCain]

It’s some time since I had an old-school Aerospace but if I remember correctly the case back has a tiny lug to orient it “right way up” when you put it back on. It foxed me for some time before I realised, once I’d lined everything up the caseback popped on relatively easily.

[Neil.C]

It’s some time since I had an old-school Aerospace but if I remember correctly the case back has a tiny lug to orient it “right way up” when you put it back on. It foxed me for some time before I realised, once I’d lined everything up the caseback popped on relatively easily.

Good info.

[helidoc]

For closure as I’m sure you can’t stand the suspense.

It was the battery, the new one works perfectly. The inexpensive Amazon caseback press worked brilliantly and was a doddle to use, thanks again for the recommendation.

Counting myself lucky as for a while I peered into the abyss of Breitling service costs!

Thanks to all you contributed common sense, when I had a perspective failure.

Dave


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[lewie]

For closure as I’m sure you can’t stand the suspense.

It was the battery, the new one works perfectly. The inexpensive Amazon caseback press worked brilliantly and was a doddle to use, thanks again for the recommendation.

Counting myself lucky as for a while a peered into the abyss of Breitling service costs!

Thanks to all you contributed common sense, when I had a perspective failure.

Dave


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Excellent result and not to patronise but well done

[ben4watches]

Thats excellent news Dave.

A watch up and running and a new tool in the tool box too.

[helidoc]

Thats excellent news Dave.

A watch up and running and a new tool in the tool box too.

An excellent tool too, thanks for the recommendation :)

D


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[walkerwek1958]

Glad its worked out well in the end. Prices charged by the big brands for ' battery service' are insane, it ain ' t rocket science.

[Neil.C]

Good news Dave.

You'll know what to do next time.

[snowman]

Good news - Enjoy wearing it (as I see from the Friday thread you are! )

M