Link Calibre S - Pusher / Button A possibly stuck in 'pressed' position

TagHeuerMan · Jan 3, 2025

My first post here but I've been the proud owner of many fine Tag watches over the years. This one has been a great watch, solid and reliable, until today!

I went to reset the hands recently and it looks as if the top pusher (A) no longer functions correctly (or erratically at least). It no longer has the reassuring 'click' feel when pressed. Generally unresponsive but mostly it behaves as if it is permanently in 'pressed' mode, and depending on the hand I try to adjust, it just goes whizzing around endlessly as if constantly pressed. The only way to stop this is removal of the battery and reinsertion.

Is there anything I can do to remedy this myself? Or if not, is this an expensive repair?

Pitfitter446 · Jan 3, 2025

These buttons have a spring inside them, could be the spring has broken and is jamming the insides?
I am not sure this is possible or likely but hey, we gotta start somewhere, sounds like a trip to a watchman is in order.

TagHeuerMan · Jan 4, 2025

Pitfitter446
These buttons have a spring inside them, could be the spring has broken and is jamming the insides?
I am not sure this is possible or likely but hey, we gotta start somewhere, sounds like a trip to a watchman is in order.

Thanks for the response. Just to elaborate a little. The pusher itself appears to press in and spring out exactly as it should, but it no longer clicks or meets with a click-type resistance as it did before. So my assumption is the internal button on the mechanism is broken or stuck in permanently.

I guess I'm kidding myself thinking it might be something I could attempt to fix myself, but figured it would be worth a shot on this esteemed forum!

Aquagraph · Jan 4, 2025

I think you are probably right, and you certainly don't want to be messing with that movement.

TagHeuerMan · Jan 6, 2025

Thanks, everyone. I just wanted to share an interesting update...

After leaving it untouched for a few days, I came back to it and, surprisingly, the 'A' button was functioning properly again with the expected click. I reset the hands once more, and it adjusted the hour and minute hands correctly. However, when it came to the second hand, it started spinning uncontrollably again, as if the 'A' button was being continuously pressed.

It’s quite odd—functionality seemed to return after a few days but was lost again after several uses of the button.

BillC3 · Jan 6, 2025

TagHeuerMan
Thanks, everyone. I just wanted to share an interesting update...

After leaving it untouched for a few days, I came back to it and, surprisingly, the 'A' button was functioning properly again with the expected click. I reset the hands once more, and it adjusted the hour and minute hands correctly. However, when it came to the second hand, it started spinning uncontrollably again, as if the 'A' button was being continuously pressed.

It’s quite odd—functionality seemed to return after a few days but was lost again after several uses of the button.

Hmmm, that sounds like maybe the lubricant has gummed up and parts are sticking. If the parts become unstuck after another few days, the repair might be as simple as cleaning and re-lubricating the parts.

TagHeuerMan · Jan 6, 2025

BillC3
Hmmm, that sounds like maybe the lubricant has gummed up and parts are sticking. If the parts become unstuck after another few days, the repair might be as simple as cleaning and re-lubricating the parts.

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense given how it's behaving. While I am comfortable changing the battery myself, it's probably best I leave cleaning and lubrication to a qualified watchmaker.

TagHeuerMan · Jan 6, 2025

Final Update: You live and learn! One detail I forgot to mention earlier is that I hadn’t worn the watch over the holidays (I didn't think it was relevant) as I was doing a lot of DIY and didn't want to damage it. It had been sitting unused in my cold home office, where the temperature was close to freezing.

Then I had a thought—what if I warmed it up? I wore it on my wrist for about an hour today, and sure enough, button A started working flawlessly again. I’ve since reset all the hand positions, time, date, and year without any problems. A little patience, creativity, and inspiration from this forum saved me from what could’ve been an expensive repair/servicing bill. I couldn’t be happier!

I’m sharing this in case anyone else finds themselves in a similar (albeit rare) situation.

BillC3 · Jan 6, 2025

TagHeuerMan
Final Update: You live and learn! One detail I forgot to mention earlier is that I hadn’t worn the watch over the holidays (I didn't think it was relevant) as I was doing a lot of DIY and didn't want to damage it. It had been sitting unused in my cold home office, where the temperature was close to freezing.

Then I had a thought—what if I warmed it up? I wore it on my wrist for about an hour today, and sure enough, button A started working flawlessly again. I’ve since reset all the hand positions, time, date, and year without any problems. A little patience, creativity, and inspiration from this forum saved me from what could’ve been an expensive repair/servicing bill. I couldn’t be happier!

I’m sharing this in case anyone else finds themselves in a similar (albeit rare) situation.

You should still plan on having the watch serviced at some point. Cold generally makes lubricants thicker and stiffer, and that seems to be what happened to your watch. However, the watch should still function properly at a wide range of temperatures, but stopped in your cold office. As time goes on, the watch will probably start misbehaving at warmer temps, as the lubricant continues to age and deteriorate. You should probably consider your watch to be running on borrowed time, rather than having gotten a full reprieve.

ExpiredWatchdog · Jan 6, 2025

Here's the result of a sticky pusher:

Long story short; I bought this about ten years ago and took it diving, but before I got a camera. Recently, I thought it would be nice to get an underwater shot:

OK, shot taken, but after surfacing and sitting in the boat for ten minutes, I noticed a thin fog on the crystal. Yup, inside. My first thought was "What do I need to do to preserve this watch?"

Answer was to get it open and in fresh water to preserve the dial and hands. The movement (SW500-1) I can replace. Fortunately, I brought a cheap service kit and used a bracelet pin punch to work the back off. Into the dunk tank it goes.

Once back home, I reassembled the case and gave it a leak test in my wet tester (water filter mod.) Not a leak to be seen:

Prior to all this, I had noticed a sticky pusher but thought nothing of it. Granted, this watch was made in the early teens and hasn't had anything done to it since, so I got what I deserved.

The movement still runs but the reverser is jammed. That should be expected.

I'm not going to do anything about it until I get a reliable way to tell if it's leaking.

TagHeuerMan · Jan 7, 2025

BillC3
You should still plan on having the watch serviced at some point. Cold generally makes lubricants thicker and stiffer, and that seems to be what happened to your watch. However, the watch should still function properly at a wide range of temperatures, but stopped in your cold office. As time goes on, the watch will probably start misbehaving at warmer temps, as the lubricant continues to age and deteriorate. You should probably consider your watch to be running on borrowed time, rather than having gotten a full reprieve.

Totally agree Bill. At least now I won't be taking it to the watchmaker for repair, but rather a routine service with a focus on lubricant.

TagHeuerMan · Jan 7, 2025

ExpiredWatchdog
Here's the result of a sticky pusher:

Long story short; I bought this about ten years ago and took it diving, but before I got a camera. Recently, I thought it would be nice to get an underwater shot:

OK, shot taken, but after surfacing and sitting in the boat for ten minutes, I noticed a thin fog on the crystal. Yup, inside. My first thought was "What do I need to do to preserve this watch?"

Answer was to get it open and in fresh water to preserve the dial and hands. The movement (SW500-1) I can replace. Fortunately, I brought a cheap service kit and used a bracelet pin punch to work the back off. Into the dunk tank it goes.

Once back home, I reassembled the case and gave it a leak test in my wet tester (water filter mod.) Not a leak to be seen:

Prior to all this, I had noticed a sticky pusher but thought nothing of it. Granted, this watch was made in the early teens and hasn't had anything done to it since, so I got what I deserved.

The movement still runs but the reverser is jammed. That should be expected.

I'm not going to do anything about it until I get a reliable way to tell if it's leaking.

Oh the shock and horror when one sees the internal fog/condensation after being underwater 😱

That aside, I do like your underwater shot though 😅🤟

In the meantime, a picture of my watch. It is actually my 9th Tag and the one I've had the longest as it ticks pretty much all boxes for my taste...

Pitfitter446 · Jan 7, 2025

TagHeuerMan
Final Update: You live and learn! One detail I forgot to mention earlier is that I hadn’t worn the watch over the holidays (I didn't think it was relevant) as I was doing a lot of DIY and didn't want to damage it. It had been sitting unused in my cold home office, where the temperature was close to freezing.

Then I had a thought—what if I warmed it up? I wore it on my wrist for about an hour today, and sure enough, button A started working flawlessly again. I’ve since reset all the hand positions, time, date, and year without any problems. A little patience, creativity, and inspiration from this forum saved me from what could’ve been an expensive repair/servicing bill. I couldn’t be happier!

I’m sharing this in case anyone else finds themselves in a similar (albeit rare) situation.

If I’m honest I work much better when at a comfortable temperature, cold slows me down, and too hot, I just reach for a cold beer.🍻