Replaced battery in Timex Expedition watch; now I can't get the back cover on again! Won't snap back into place.
I have a Timex Expedition Indigo with a metal case. Not sure of the exact model number but on the back there an M6 below Expedition. Anyway, I had the same problem of snapping the back back on. I found a "battery" website that had some suggestions that should be typical of any snap back case watch. http://www.online-batteries.co.uk/whichbattery.shtml specifically they said that when you try to press the back on it must be flat (not one edge down as I had been trying) Put the watch face down on a non scratch surface and press with both thumbs evenly. If that doesn't work a press will be needed. If you have a vice a couple of blocks of wood to distribute the load on the front and back may work, otherwise take it to a jeweler with the proper equipment. The thumb routine didn't work for me. I have a vice but figured many wouldn't so I tried something else first. I put the watch face down on a piece of wood. I found a small 2" long scrap of wood (3/4" x 1.5" approx) that spanned the back. I centered the back (aligned properly) placed the block of wood squarely and centered across the back and tapped the end of the block with a hammer. First try didn't work, second one did. I used a rubber mallet as the hammer but a regular hammer or other heavy object would work. The trick, I think, is to get everything lined up and square so the blow is centered and even. Also, I'd suggest cleaning the back and the groove in the case and be sure the rubber gasket is properly positioned. This will give you the best chance of retaining the waterproofing. And remember to check that the watch is running before you do this. Some need to be reset (usually with a very small screwdriver or pin) after replacing the battery. There should be a small hole with some printing next to it. You may need a magnifying glass to see/read it. Good Luck, Richard
After reading many suggested methods, and failing repeatedly, I finally chanced upon an absolutely fool-proof way to do this. I palced the watch on a hard surface (my workbench), took a very large brass mallet and smashed the watch to smithereens. I then went down to my local Walmart and purchased a replacement for not a very reasonable price. Practicality? Quite low, I suppose. Frustration relief-priceless!
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I'm female and my solution reflects it. Couldn't get my husband's Timex back together after chaning the battery. I put the face down on some folded paper towel and put my rolling pin through the watch band where the wrist would go.. Making sure the back was centered, I pressed down hard on the rolling pin, then rolled it downward. It popped into place and my husband thought I was a genius.
I had the same problem, it was solved by using a "G" clamp. Wrap the watch in a few layers of kitchen towel and put it in the jaws of the clamp, aligning the center of the clamp with the center of the watch. Screw the jaws together and listen for a dull "snap" - job done!
This clamp approach worked very well for me. I used a "C" clamp (Is that the same as a "G" clamp?). I just put about 4-5 layers of paper towel on the crystal surface and put the movable part of the clamp directly on the back of the watch. This way I could make sure that the back started out even all around. I slowly tightened the clamp and heard a little pop as it tightened just a little. It worked great. Remember to insure that the battery is properly seated before you do this. I tried the hammer approach above but it did not work but the battery came unseated while trying some of the other techniques.
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Just wanted to warn people if you have a indiglo model in my opinion don't try the piece of wood and tapping with a hammer as it has broken the indigo back light and i was only tapping very very lightly as it is not one of the cheaper models, so i aint to happy at the moment, but at the end of the day it's my own fault as i should have taken it to the jewellers in the first place and would also be the best option for anyone with this problem.
My solution for my wife's Timex was to lay the watch face down on a flat piece of wood placed on a flat immovable surface like a a work bench or even the floor. Next, I took another piece of flat wood slightly wider than the watch case and about four inches long. I carefully placed it down upon the case cover after centering and leveling it over the groove. Then I pressed down evenly with increasing force (gentle but firm) until I heard the back of the case snap into position. Prior to this I cleaned the groove with a brush dipped in alcohol. I also lubricated the seal with some Harvey's silicone plumber's grease. The silicone grease will help the seal maintain a waterproof junction . Wipe off any excess before reassembly. They sell it at most hardware or warehouse stores that sell plumbing products--though most clerks will not know they carry it. It is a must for "O" ring style plumbing facet washers or seals. They cannot be lubed with any petroleum grease product as they will start to dissolve. It can be used on other rubber-like seals as well. Jim.
I used a modification of the vise solution. I put a plastic bottle screw cap on either side of the watch (bottle side in) and tightened the vise. I heard a satisfying "pop" and I am on my way. Fred
I put the watch on a cutting board with a paper towel on the face. I slipped a furring strip about 3 feet long thru the band and pushed down evenly on both sides and the back snapped in. Thanks for the above ideas.
I struggled with my Timex (a yard sale buy) after putting in a new battery. After reading here how to place it face down on a block of wood (my cutting board) and placing the back level (not with one side already set in), I placed another block of wood on top and tapped it a light hammer tap. It popped into place first try. Thanks.
Thanks to everyone for the good advice. I have a Timex Indiglo (large face) watch, replaced the 2016 battery, and couldn't get the back cover back on. After trying all the ideas with no real success (and fear of trashing the "indiglo" feature, I settled on using a 3/4" PVC coupling, which fit the back just right to distribute the force fully and avoid putting too much pressure on the center. I used tape to align the back just right, placed the front onto a cork coaster, set the PVC coupling on the back, and used a flat wooden kitchen spatula to press evenly on the PVC/back. Didn't get the satisfying "pop", but did feel the back go in.
My girlfriend held one set of pliers and I held another on opposite sides of the watch, with a washcloth to buffer the watch, we counted :"one, two, three" and on three we both pressed at the same time and it worked.
Whew, thank you for the help R Barkley. It was surprising how difficult it was to get the back of the watch in place. I think a back that screwed on with a slot for a flat edge screwdriver would be much easier to deal with. I have a Timex generic model. It says indiglo on the face.
I tried pushing evenly on the back of the watch with my thumbs and that worked! I'm 6 feet and 3 inches tall and I have large hands, so I think that's why the thumbs method worked for me.
Happy spring, have an effervescent day!
P.S. Here's a splash of humor for you.
The Germans are exceedingly fond of Rhine wines; they are put up in tall, slender bottles, and are considered a pleasant beverage. One tells them from vinegar by the label.
-- Mark Twain, A ***** Abroad
Awesome you guys! Thanks for posting. I was having a terrible time with my wife's Timex Expedition. Then I tried my own modified vise treatment after reading your posts -- I used small pieces of wood and squeezed it with a large vice-grip pair of pliers. It didn't work when I first tried it, until I read above that you needed to be sure the watch back was level -- not half popped in on one side. Worked very well -- she'll be happy to not take it to a jeweler. Thanks.
SOURCE: How to replace battery for Timex expedition
Remove the four screws that hold the battery cover on the back of the watch. Remove the 3 very small screws that hold the battery in place. Remove the battery from the battery holder. The piece that the 3 small screws were removed from seperates from the 3 volt 2016 energizer battery. Replace the battery with a new one. Re-install the battery holder to the watch. There is a small tab on the lower left part of the battery holder that needs to be depressed to activate the watch. Depress it and look at the face of the watch to make sure it is activated. The watch will need to have the time, date etc reset but you should now be able to see that the battery is working. Replace the battery cover and reset the time and date as needed.
SOURCE: Replaced battery in my Burberry watch, back cover won't snap on
I have the same problem. Did you guys find how to do it? Please let me know. M
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I have replaced the battery once before with no problem. This time it was really hard to get the cover off to replace the battery. I purchased exactly the same type of battery (Energizer CR2016) but I cannot get the new battery to snap in so the watch is running, and I have trouble getting the back cover to snap in. If I press down on the battery a certain way it will run but when I let go the battery falls out. When I press down on the cover, the watch doesn't run. Is there something I'm doing wrong?
Albert Yaremchuk
emial [email protected]
Phone 250-545-8509
Same problem with my indigo watch.
I used a wooden chopping board on a table and slid a wooden rolling pin in the strap, pushed down hard in case with all my weight and it popped in. (place some protection under the watch face on top of board).
First, I took out the pin holding the clasp, so I could completely open the band/clasp, so it was easy to work on the watch. Yes, it's hard to get the battery to stay in place, but it isn't necessary. Just holding the battery in place, I could verify that the watch would work. Holding the battery in place, I carefully slid the back of the watch in place. Then I used the rolling pin trick; I placed the watch on a towel on the kitchen counter, and used a rolling pin to push down hard, trying to apply even pressure. I rocked side to side, and at one point, it slid into place with a loud snap. That's it!
It's suppose to snap into place but after many hours of lining the back up correctly I simply cannot seem to snap the back on. I've push as hard as I can and it just won't budge.
I have an older model Timex Expedition watch. I just changed the battery and the beepers stopped working. It has been a great watch. can anyone tell me how to fix this.
I have a timex expedition watch. It is an older model. I just changed the battery and now all the beepers have stopped. How can I fix this?
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