Swatch Saver - Tool for Changing SWATCH Watch Batteries

prusaprinters

The Swatch Saver tool is designed to make changing Swatch watch batteries both easy and safe.  It features: a tweezer with tips optimized for holding watch batteriesa flat, rounded end matching the thickness and diameter of notches in Swatch battery coversI've used many tools in the field to open Swatch watches - tools like Bergeon 6460-P “Plastic Tweezers” and Horotec MSA07.010 “Tool for Swatch Battery Covers”.  They tend to fit awkwardly, leading to scratches and other damage on the battery cover or even case itself.  This tool helps solve those problems.  I used radius gauges and measured dozens of different Swatch cases, creating many prototypes.  It's also sufficiently thick enough to prevent excess wobble or play when rotating the covers.  Using the Swatch Saver, the curved end will now mate perfectly with small, medium, and large Swatch battery covers.  While the longer side is for medium to large Swatch battery covers……and the shorter side is for small Swatch battery covers, most of the times they are interchangeable.  The tweezer tips are designed to grip most sizes of watch or button cell batteries.  Unlike most tweezer tip shapes, the cutout holds the cells on 4 corners, leading to improved grip and stability when manipulating the battery.  The overhang prevents the battery from popping up out of the tweezers.  As well, the small circles near the tips help prevent the battery from sliding too far backwards and provide a convenient grip for the user's fingers.  The small circles are added on the lip end to improve rigidity and durability.The dimensions of the Swatch Saver make it feel comfortable in the hand, with good tactile feedback from the tweezer's springiness.  It's still compact enough to fit into even the shallowest watchmaker bench drawers.  This Swatch Saver needs to be printed at 0.10mm layer heights.  The edge interacting with the battery cover must be 2.1mm tall or else it will not fit.  You also have the option of using ironing to clean up the top surfaces.  I have included photos of what the tool looks like with and without ironing (I prefer the latter).  If ironing, I recommend orienting the tweezer along the X-axis (horizontally) to improve print quality.  Left side - Ironing disabled (regular) / Right side - Ironing enabled for “All top surfaces”Left side - Ironing enabled, oriented along X-axis (horizontally) / Right side - Ironing enabled, oriented along Y-axis (vertically).  Note that vertical orientation leads to jagged edges.  Horizontal orientation is recommended.  Vertical orientation is NOT recommended.  If you notice the ends of the tweezer tips lifting off of the print bed, I recommend using a gluestick to improve adhesion of the first layer.  Another fix would be adding a draft shield and/or slightly lowering the Z-level.  I have tested on both the smooth and satin sheets - gluestick will work fine on both.  How to Change the Battery in your Swatch using the Swatch Saver:Use the flat, rounded end (sometimes I call it the “squid”) and place it into the recess in the battery cover.  Give the tool a roughly 1/6 to 1/8 turn counter-clockwise.  That should be enough to slide the tabs over into the released or open position.Top: Closed / Middle: Partially open (keep on going!) / Bottom: Opened fully!The plastic overhangs that retain the battery cover tabs can be quite fragile.  I recommend applying downward force when turning the cover so that your tabs don't damage the plastic.  Lift off the battery cover and put it upside down with rubber gasket facing up.  The battery should slide right out.  If not, use the tweezers to pry it loose.Now, get a new battery out of packaging.  Use the side of the tweezer with the semi-circle cutouts to grip the battery cell.Place this into the watch.  Note, the positive + side, the side with the brand and cell number, should be facing up.  Pick up the battery cover and orient it so the rubber gasket is facing down.  Place this loosely over the recesses for the tabs.Now, you can use the squid end (haha!) of the Swatch Saver.  While applying some downward pressure to help the tabs fit into the recesses, turn the battery cover 1/6 to 1/8 clockwise.  Verify the tabs are now hidden under the plastic recesses; this means the battery cover is secured.  Double-check your watch is running (the seconds hand should be jumping), set the time, and you're ready to go.Enjoy and happy SWATCHing!