How to change battery for ref. 1000 to 1020 HEUER microsplit ?

Dear HEUER stopwatch collectors and users, as time goes by, battery of your microsplit 1000 serie gets empty. (HEUER indicates a minimum two years time life in user instruction booklet). Models from the microsplit 1000 serie do not have a direct access to the battery compartment, like most of electronic devices.

Battery replacement is not difficult but can be a little bit technical as the case needs to be opened and electronic caliber be manipulated. This operation will enjoy handymans and cicuit board enthusiasts, but few points, described in this document, have to be highlighted.

IMPORTANT – BE CAREFUL !!!

If you do not feel right with opening your HEUER microsplit case and manipulating the electronic module, DO NOT try anything and bring your timer to your local trusted watchmaker.

At the case opening, be careful elements don’t go out and two part of the case are not connected by wires (see the next section and the disclaimer).

HEUER microsplit stopwatches concerned and not concerned by this article

Concerned

This tutorial can be applied for microsplit 1000, 1010, 1020 manufactured in Switzerland.

They have a “swiss made” label on their front, three screws on the back and red and green buttons.

Not Concerned

Few models not assembled in Switzerland, but with the same reference number, have a different architecture and battery changing process. Their case are closed by two screws and and the top pushers are white and green. Most important is that wires connect electronical caliber to a buzzer fixed on the case. So if you are not sure about the model you have (a swiss made or a non swiss made), open the timer slowly to avoid damaging it.

This document might be used for others HEUER microsplit 1000 stopwatches (1030, 1040) or 2000 and 3000 series, but can not be confirmed for the moment.

Tools, material, workplace

Battery

1.55V button cell battery (renata 357 / energizer 357 / Seiko SB-B9 and compatible) is recommended.

Screwdrivers

• Required : a small cross-headed screwdriver (like the Ph000 or Ph00 yellow ones below),
• optionnal : small cross-plate screwdriver (like the 2.5 red one below).

Note that correct screwdrivers can be found in smartphone repair tool set.

Hands protection

They are optional but highly recommended to prevent electronic caliber from fingerprints. Best choice are medical gloves but jewelers models or watchmaker fingers protections can be also used.

Soft and clean tissu

Optional but can be nice to lay the electronic caliber on when changing battery.

Worplace

Do the replacement in a clean and illuminated place.

How to proceed ?

Focus on each step

Step 1 : unscrew the backcase

Unscrew the 3 screws on the backcase with the correct cross-headed screwdriver (with the Ph000 or the Ph00).

Step 2 : remove carefuly the  caseback

Do it very slowly and check small components not get out or delicate wires are not linking the case and the electronic module which happens for non swiss made models, a case not covered in this tutorial (see : stopwatches concerned and not concerned by this article).

Step 3 : eventually extract the caliber from the case

That step is not indispensable but it can be more convenient to work the caliber outside the case. In this case lay it on a very clean and soft tissu not to damage or scratch the LCD screen.

Step 4 : unlock the old battery

The battery is locked by a thin metal plate (B) you have to rotate. It is hold by 2 large screws. The screw on the left of the picture (D) plays the role of a pivot (the plate rotates around it) ; it will be called «pivot screw» in this document. The one on the right (A) locks the plate ; it will be called «lock screw» in this document. A light pressure can be applied on the plate while turning (signaled by orange point).

Sometimes the plate is retained. Loose lightly the «lock screw» with the plate-head screw driver (just one turn is enought. Don’t fully unscrew it). It will help you but don’t forget to tight it back after unlock the plate.

: hand pressure point, A: lock screw, B : metal plate, C : battery, D : pivot screw

Step 5 : replace the battery

The positive (+) pole is on the top.

Step 6 : lock the new battery

Rotate the metalic plate to retain the battery in its compartment and screw it back if necessary .

: hand pressure point, A: lock screw, B : metal plate, C : battery, D : pivot screw

Step 6 : check electronic caliber is working well

When the metalic plate is locked under the «lock screw» head, turn the caliber and verify the screen is working. If not, verify the battery is correctly placed. If the «lock screw» has been loosened,  check it is enought tightened.

Step 7 : put the caliber back in the case, if it has been removed from it

Check it well set up and top contacts are aligned with the lateral pushers.

Step 8 : place the metal part of the lanyard in the required compartment

Step 9 : close the caseback

(*) disclaimer : ikonicstopwatch.com could NOT be held responsible in case of damage(s) on your stopwatch or injury, after you have executed the stopwatch battery replacement process described in this page.