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Intro and a few ??? about Swiss Army watches...

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11K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  Infinis  
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#1 ·
Hi,
I just found this forum and joined today. I've got 2 old Swiss Army watches that need some help. The first I got in college, it's a Marlboro Adventure Team Original. Like this one...
I wore that watch for several years, through many adventures. When I started feeling grown up I bought my next watch...
I wore that one also for several years, while my old one stayed in a box in the closet. This one still worked fine when I decided to buy a Suunto Vector, which I have now worn for several more years. I'm a pretty simple guy, and spend most all my time outdoors. One watch at a time, nothing extravagant, the story of my life.

I started feeling nostalgic for the Swiss Army watches recently and dug my 2 old ones out. Maybe a man needs options as he gets older? Anyway, no surprise that neither watch was working. After a couple trips to watch counters and jewelers, it appears that most places want to send these watches off somewhere, for who knows how long, just to replace the battery. I'm a DIY guy, so I get out my Swiss Multi-Tool and do it myself.

First the metal band watch... I put the new battery in and nothing happens. Does the back cover need to be on? Because I cannot get that thing back on. I've got the back off the other watch now too, but haven't got a new battery yet. I tried 3 places today and none of them had a 394 battery. I'll have to order one, but I'm afraid of the same thing happening.

I've lived all over the US, mountains to deserts to swamps, and my little box with these watches in it has stayed with me. Mostly they have stayed in my closet, wherever that was at any given time, but they have been through lots of moves. Rough handling, hot and cold, etc. Should be an easier life than what they get on my wrist everyday though.

So, is there much to go wrong with these? Any ideas why I can't get mine to start working again? Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Welcome.
I don't know about this particular watch (the metal band one), but it is possible the back is necessary to complete the circuit. But why can't you get it back on? Is it supposed to snap or screw or ?
 
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#3 ·
3th3r said:
Welcome.
I don't know about this particular watch (the metal band one), but it is possible the back is necessary to complete the circuit. But why can't you get it back on? Is it supposed to snap or screw or ?
Click to expand...
Both watches are snap on backs. Try as hard as I can, I cannot get either back snapped back on. I took the metal band one to the nearest jeweler to me, to see if she could use her press to get the back on. She told me that she would try, if I would hold her harmless for any damages. She said she has cracked the crystal on 2 Swiss Army watches trying to put the backs on. Needless to say I told her "no thanks". I'll try someplace else.
 
#4 ·
Umm, not sure what you have going on, but my Marlboro Adventure team original has a Rolex style screw on back that you need the Rolex style tool to remove, have replaced the battery's several times over the years with no issues. Don't know about the other one.

it should work with new battery in and cover off, if its been a long time since last battery change, it's possible movement has gone bad, good new is though if the watch is worth anything to you it uses a very inexpensive movement, my watchmaker replaced one in my old black dialed original last year for $40.00 complete with labor and parts.
 
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#7 ·
I found this thread...
https://www.watchuseek.com/f71/i-need-help-victorinox-swiss-army-original-238789.html

Which seems to indicate that although these watches look like they have a screw on back, they are in fact snap on. Both my watches have near identical backs. I still need to figure out why the new battery didn't work for the metal band watch. I read something about shorting the battery to get it started, can anyone expound on that? I did order a battery for the Marlboro watch also, so I'll post the results as soon as it arrives. I also still need to find someone, or someway, to get the backs on.
 
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#8 ·
The new battery for the Adventure Team watch came this morning. I put it in and the watch immediately started up! Awesome! Lacking any sense of better judgement, I wrapped the watch in a hand towel and headed out to the benchvise. It just took a little even pressure in the vise and the back snapped securely in place. It's been keeping perfect time since. Hopefully I'll get some more time to work on the other watch tomorrow.
 
#10 ·
You should maybe look aorund for a nato strap to replace your used band.
 
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