[somat]

I specifically went with a battery model because I was not convinced that the battery in the solar models would actually last that much longer than the battery only model. While you can replace the battery in the solar models it is a proprietary part and considered watchmaker level service, while with the battery model it is normal service with a generic part. So I decided that replacing a battery every 5 years would not actually be that bad compared to trying to find a proprietary part every 10 years(A guess based on forum posts, so worthless).

All of which is a false economy. As I buy what is actually a cheap mass production watch as if it were some sort of heirloom piece that I will be passing down to my grand children. Anyhow, whats the point of being a geek if you can't overthink things sometimes?

[psychphysic]

I've replaced the lithium rechargeable in my Gshock once. It was quite easy I have to say but the buttons are fiddly.

I got the battery off eBay for about £16.

Straps are what give out first and I've been through about 4 where it's become unsightly or otherwise degraded.