Intermezzo #25 Battery Change in a Gaussman

While most G-Shock battery changes are pretty much the same, there are models which are different. Most G-Shock models have the CR2016 battery. Newer models sometimes have the CR2025 battery, which has a bigger power capacity. Several analog models have two batteries. I suspect that one battery is for the back light and the other one for the timekeeping. The Gaussman is one of them.

First we need a dead Gaussman. It doesn't have much sense to open a G-Shock if it is running well.

You need to remove the 4 screws on the back to get to the module. Use a good watch makers screwdriver. Mine are made by Skandia. I've got them for about 10 years and they still look like new.

When the back is removed, you see this shock absorbing rubber pad. This pad is part of the shock absorbing construction of the watch.When you have opened the watch, do not turn the watch around! The module floats in the case and also a small spring sits looks in a small hole. This spring is needed for the Alarm function of the watch. It connects the module to the piezzo speaker on the back plate.

Under the pad there is a metal plate. Often this plate sticks to the rubber pad. I guess this metal plate is to shield of electromagnetic waves. A full metal housing creates a cage of Faraday. When the plate is removed, the batteries are revealed.

The batteries in the Gaussman are pretty small. You need to open the locks with a sharp point tweezer. If you don't have a sharp point tweezer you can use a sewing pin or needle. Put the point of the tool of choice in the small holes at the end of the lid, located at the arrows on the photo above (note: you can see the original photo in full size by clicking on it).

It was not easy to get the SR-262SW and SR927W battery out of the holder, but here are the dear batteries...

...and here the fresh batteries.

When the fresh batteries are installed, the locks should just close with a click, do not apply excessive force, you must not forget to reset the module. You can put the metal plate and the rubber pad back in place.

To keep the gasket in good condition in order to keep the watch water resistant, apply a little silicon lubricant on the gasket. I use a little acid free silico grease, that is normally used for bike chains, but also works perfectly on gaskets. Now put the back plate back on it's place (check the position!). When you have done everything like me, you should have a working Gaussman again.