Intermezzo #60: A more complicated battery change on the G-3110 "Tough Guy".

When I grabbed my "Tough Guy" last week to put it on, I noticed the battery died, unfortunately. Well, I had some spare time at school, so I made this extensive photo report about how to change a battery on this type of G-Shock and specially, how to reach the battery.

Here it is. The model number of this watch is G-3110D-8VER. I think the procedure of changing the battery on this model is similar to other metal bracelet Cockpit and Duplex models from around 2003 - 2004. A battery change on this model looks pretty complicated, but if you follow my steps, it appears to be easier than you might think.

First open then bracelet at the buckle, so you get easier access to the case back. Just push the springbar in with a springbar tool or a similar object. I used a sewing pin this time, as I don't had a spring bar tool with me. 

Now you can start unscrewing the 6 small screws on the side of the bezel. Carefully store these tiny screws somewhere safe. I always use the lid of my screwdriver box. There will be more screws, so remember what comes from where.

The back protection comes off easily. Now you also need to remove the bezel. It's actually also relative easy. The sides are made from soft resin. Put it carefully over some notches and you get a naked case.

You'll notice the bracelet is connected to the case on the caseback and somewhere under that small metal shield. It is hold on it's place by a springbar, which can be pushed in from the outside. Be careful not to launch the springbar.

Now the two other screws that hold the bracelet to the case are revealed.

Note there is a small spring on the top of the case. I do not know what function it has, but as we will put the case upside down when replacing the battery, I recommend to remove this spring carefully and store it safe.

Now you can remove both bracelet parts. Best is to keep the backplate as long as possible against the case, so the last screw you unscrew is one on the back.

Remove the backplate. You will see the rubber shock absorber at the back of the module. You can take it from the module. You are now in the heart of your watch. The battery change itself is pretty similar to other G-Shocks.

I always try to locate the AC contact near the battery. This time it took a while before I found it. The photo is actually clearer than what I saw... Remember, once you open the case, never, really never, turn the module upside down. In this case there is one spring, which can fall out, but there are even models where three springs can fall out, as they are loose in the module. If these fell out, you will loose functions of your watch, like no alarms and no EL backlight.

It's crucial to open the battery lock the right way. This is the part where unskilled people can ruin your G-Shock. The lock can simply be opened with a sharp tooth tweezer or, in this case, a sewing pin.

Just carefully pull the handle over the small notches. The battery lock will jump open. In this case actually it even ejected the battery almost whole (hd to push it a bit back for the photo.

For removing a dead battery, it does not really matter how you do it. I usually use my metal tweezer, but, of course, for installing a new battery, you use a plastic tweezer. If possible even take it out of the package with your tweezer. When you push down the lock, it will lock automatically. Most of the time you even hear a click when the lock is back in place. 

Although often the module starts to run normally after the battery is in place, it is best to reset the module. With a sharp point tweezer you connect the AC contact with the back (+) of the battery for about two seconds. After I reset I check if it's working normally, by holding the watch above my head (without turning the module upside down!). If the module runs properly, you can close the case, else you have to perform another reset. Instead of a tweezer you can use unfolded paperclips or staples. Anything made of metal which can short cut the AC contact with the back of the battery.

Yep, it works properly.

If needed, re-grease the gasket with a silicon based grease. Just a little bit, to keep the rubber in shape and to help the watch stay water resist. 

Now you can close the back plate and put the bracelet parts with the screws back on. After that you can replace the little spring at the top of the case. It looks pretty easy on the photo, but actually I had to do several attempts to let it fall the right way in the hole.

Put the springbars back in place for the small metal shields. With a little practice it's easier than it looks. The bracelet can now be put together in opposite way it was removed from the case. First the metal part, then the rubber back protection. Just put the six screws back in place and the job is done.

Now you can adjust the time. I always have atomic time somewhere around me. You can customize the display you like most on this model. Well, this is my favorable setting. I love the red digits.

Well, that looks great on my wrist. The battery seem to last quite some years in this model. I can't remember changing it on this watch, though I have it for about 9 years now. The final test, alarms and EL backlight work. Yes, I'm pretty happy it I managed to change the battery on this model, as it is quite a bit more complicated than usual G-Shocks.

#38 Funky Hopping Planets

This is the "Planet Hopper", full model number G-3011F-1VER. It's part of the series watches Casio released around February 2002, equipped with a Duplex display. The G-3011 was also available with a metal ring around the display. I think I rather like the whole resin bezel model.
This Duplex display makes it actually a cool watch. Different combinations of red and black liquid crystal can be chosen.
Although the design makes the watch look smaller than it is, the display is unusual big display. While from top to bottom the display is divided in three parts. The digits are significant bigger than most regular G-Shocks.
One good reason it was possible to use big digits is the fact that the seconds have moved to a second line in the middle part.
The day and date are clearly shown in the upper part of the display. Also here larger digits are used.
Most eye catching is the big oval eye. The crystal is curved above it and works as a magnifying glass. The eye is divided in 12 parts, each for every 5 seconds. If the eye is filled, the parts disappear one by one every 5 seconds, resulting in a 2 minute cyclus. A dotted line at the bottom shows the seconds.
A nice accent to this watch is the red light button. The button is well protected by two raised structures on both sides of the button. The raised ring in the bezel around the display protects the display. I pretty much like this structure on G-Shock. Before I owned a G-Shock my watches showed the marks of collisions with walls and door knobs pretty soon after purchase. In the past 9 years I have only managed to scratch a G-Shock display once and it was not even easy to achieve that. In this case my watch probably saved me for a deep cut in my wrist while installing school lockers.
The bezel, straps and back protector are streamlined integrated into each other. It's a quite difficult operation to change a battery on this kind of G-Shock, so I hope it will not be needed for a while.

Actually I never bought the watch after it was officially released, though I had looked at it at the shop displays often.
Several times I was on the point of buying the G-3011B-1V model. I believe that model has a separate strap run through strap adapters. The black resin strap with bright red stripe is very eye catching. That model is sold in Japan as the G-3011-1JR.
As these 3011's were sold for around €89.- I never got on buying one, considering the B version was only sold in Germany (at least, I could only find it there).
Quite some years ago I was able to get a blue/yellow version with a metal ring around the display (Moon Stepper). I am not sure anymore, but I believe I bought that one Canada for scratch.
For a basic model this G-3011 has good features on board, besides time keeping. First of all there is a Telememo on board. You can store up to 30 names and telephone numbers. Well, with almost everyone having a mobile phone now, with much easier data input, it's more a geeky function, but it's cool to have it. Furter ore the watch has 5 alarms (one as snooze alarm), a stopwatch function and a 24 hour countdown timer.
The last function is dual time. You can set a second time with 30 minutes intervals from the main time. It's probably handy when traveling, but the Worldtime function as found nowadays on a lot of G-Shocks are better. On the other side, when using dual time, you don't have to worry about summertime/daylight saving time.
I actually got this G-Shock, together with another G, in an unusual trade. My part of the trade is classified, but before you think strange things of me, just think T-Shirts, etc and 50 Gs article..
The former owner is Flexofiel, who also wrote a guest article last year on 50 Gs. He wrote me if I was missing this model I my collection, which was the case
Well, I must say I'm quite happy with the deal. The watch forms great to my wrist and with the back protector it's very comfortable. It's a pretty huge model, which makes the case look somewhat small. The huge digits are good readable, even if you choose the red digits. I haven't paid attention to recent prices, but I saw two versions with metal rings for sale on the WatchUSeek sales forum in April for friendly prices (US only). I set the watch on red digits now and I think it will stay on my wrist for quite a while.