worth fixing, or just better for parts?

[homergreg]

I picked up a Timeband still in box and an old Microma in a lot of other watches. I've been putting in batteries to see what ones work and what ones don't. Both of these work to a degree, but with issues. The Timeband has one element of one digit out, and the Microma runs to the half hour and resets back to the hour. Are either of these repairable for less than the value of the watch, or am I better parting these out, or waiting for donor modules? Both of them are in pretty good cosmetic shape, and are pretty early examples of LCD watches.

[Kasper]

every goodlooking quality watch from the 70ties must be repaired if possible...that age will never return and so does the quality.

so the timeband is repairable..good cleaning and investigating why the one segment won't lit up.
The Microma...i have no idea why it resets.

but i almost never look for a donor module..it's more like having a bit of luck and one day you suddenly have one thats fits

[homergreg]

Thanks! I'll look around this site and the internet for guides on repairing digitals. If anyone has any links or advice on learning to fix old digital watches, I'll gladly take them!

[f.e.a.r]

my 2 cents.. take the back off and poke the module with your finger, i bet that digit will reappear on that time band. then figure out how to simulate the pressure without using your finger, like tightening screws (if there are any) or maybe a piece of paper under the module carriage lugs (or at worst, a small piece of thin card on top of the module and then put the back plate back on, job done) give it a go.

[homergreg]

my 2 cents.. take the back off and poke the module with your finger, i bet that digit will reappear on that time band. then figure out how to simulate the pressure without using your finger, like tightening screws (if there are any) or maybe a piece of paper under the module carriage lugs (or at worst, a small piece of thin card on top of the module and then put the back plate back on, job done) give it a go.

Thanks! I can get all the segments to work with solid pressure on the back, but it's too much to get it to stay that way. I'll fiddle around with it some more and see what I get. I appreciate the advice!!

[bucko170]

I recall reading a thread about a similar fault which was due to dirt on the zebra strips? Maybe applying pressure is enough to sufficiently improve the contact and restore the missing digit albeit temporary, it's only my guess and I am not an expert but others on the forum will be able to advise you better....

[f.e.a.r]

I recall reading a thread about a similar fault which was due to dirt on the zebra strips? Maybe applying pressure is enough to sufficiently improve the contact and restore the missing digit albeit temporary, it's only my guess and I am not an expert but others on the forum will be able to advise you better....

im not an expert either but well said mick, if the old pushing the finger trick doesnt do it, the zebra strip and contacts need a clean. ive gotta say, when ive tried to do this, sometimes the end result has been more missing digits than what i started with so i think an lcd expert is needed...

[Adam]

I try o remove the lcd attached to the zebra strips and clean only the edge that attaches to the pcb(Instructions from Old Tom). I use isoproponal on a cotton bud. Let it dry completely. I also gently clean the contacts on the board with a 2mm fibre pen and brush off with a soft watercolour brush. Fix back together, hopefully it should work although over the years zebra strip may have lost its bounce. If I still have missing digits a thin strip of tape on either edge of the lcd may be needed to create enough pressure(It may take more than one strip).

NB if you do take the zebras off completely make sure you put them back as you find them. I put a little mark on the outside edge to remind me. Over the years the rubber will have become indented to the exact shape of the contacts on the PCB board.

Adam