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.

#48 Watch for a tough guy

The G-3110D was part of the winter 2001/2002 collection. The same model came out in Japan, though as G-3100 November 2001).

In Germany the name "Tough Guy" was given to this model. I think that's a good name. It is a pretty big and heavy model.
The G-3110D has a feature which was found on other G-3000 series watches from that time, a Duplex display.Except for black liquid crystal, other colors were used in a second or even a third layer.
The G-3110 has two black and a red layer. The watch allows you to choose between 12 color schemes. The eyes and the lower display can be switched between a positive display and a negative display with red digits.
Wouldn't it be a great feature on a G-Shock if you could switch between a positive and negative display. I don't think this will happen, switching the polarity of a full screen would probably use a lot more energy than simply turning the polarity of the film by 90°.
If you choose for red digits, the digits are accented with black lines. It sure improves the readability, but I am very curious how the screen would have looked without these accents.
Funny is that the red digits look translucent, but totally block the EL-backlight. If the backlight is used in the dark, the digits look black, but if you use the backlight in light circumstances, you keep seeing red digits.
The bottom display changes into a positive version, if you have chosen the negative option, when you activate the backlight. Else you probably would only see a black line.

Not only the duplex display is an eyecatcher. When you see the watch for the first time, you probably notice the big screen protectors, that stick out of the case like bull bars.
These protectors, coming out the metal bezel, were later seen on many Cockpit Series models. When I bought this watch I actually thought it was a G-Lide model, as these models often had the screen protectors.
Although there are G-3110 models with resin straps, I think a full metal bracelet looks best. The bracelet is very good adjustable. In the three fold clasp with lock you can adjust the bracelet by one third of a link.
The back of the case has a nice ergonomic back protector keeping the watch on it's place. It probably also is part of the shock absorbing structure.
You get surprisingly a lot of functions with this watch. The Telememo function is probably nowadays a useless function since almost everyone has a mobile phone, or a portable computer with build in camera, internet and phone function. I can't remember models with Telememo released the past 5 years.
The watch has 4 normal alarms and a snooze alarm on board.
In stead of Worldtime, the G-3110 has dual time. The time can be changed in steps of 30 minutes. I think there is something to say for this function. With all different DST settings in the world, it might be interesting if you just can change the dual time into the timezone you wish. As we say in the Netherlands: "You can't walk in seven ditches at a time".Further this watch holds a Stopwatch and a 24h Countdown Timer. For those who like this function, the current time is shown in all modes, except the Telememo mode (all digits are needed to show the name and telephone number.I think Casio gave the right name for this fellow. To be a Tough Guy is of course up to you, but the heavy feel and sturdy appearance of this watch helps you a lot on the way. The rest is up to you.
Special thanks to Bram and Azra.