Solar Talking Atomic Analogue Watch
CW178, CW178BR, CW178EXP
Please retain these instructions for future reference. These instructions are also available in other formats.
Contents
Special warning
General description
Orientation
Using the product
Watch menu mode
Set alarm
Alarm on/off
Chime on/off (Hourly time announcement)
Global signal selection
Manual time setting
Second hand alignment (re-synchronisation)
Manual signal reception
Receiving the time signal
Charging the watch
Recharging time
Re-setting the watch
Power saving mode
Using the metallic bracelet strap
Battery replacement
Re-set after battery replacement
Hints and Tips
Caring for your watch
How to contact RNIB
Terms and conditions of sale
Special warning
This watch has a power saving mode which will be active when you receive your watch, meaning there will be no speech or watch movement until it is activated. A plastic tag with details of the power saving mode will be positioned on the watch when received - please remove this and follow the below instructions.
Please note: Sighted assistance may be required to activate the watch before first use.
When you receive the watch the hands will be stopped at the 1 o'clock position. This denotes that the watch is set to power saving mode. To activate the watch press and hold the S1 (2 o'clock) button for approximately five seconds until the hands begin to spin. The hands will spin to match the internal timekeeping and will stop once they have reached the correct time. At this point the speech will be active.
General description
This talking watch announces both the time and date in RNIB’s natural English, male voice. It is radio controlled, which means it receives a signal from the radio transmitter, which enables the time and date to set and regularly update automatically. This is particularly useful when the clocks change in the spring and the autumn, and therefore means you should never have to change the time or date manually unless out of the signal range.
The watch is fitted with a solar rechargeable battery which enables it to be powered by solar energy and charged under natural light. Therefore you shouldn’t have to replace the battery for a very long time.
The watch can also be used in Germany, USA and Japan (60 KHz only) where the radio signal can be received and sets time and date automatically.
In countries with no signal your watch can be set manually. Details of how to do this are included in the Manual time setting section.
The watch also features an alarm and an optional hourly announcement.
This watch is available with either a leather strap (CW178), a metallic bracelet strap (CW178BR), or a metallic expanding strap (CW178EXP).
Orientation
Position the front of the watch towards you so that the two protruding buttons are on the right. You will notice the following button layout:
S1: Time Announcement and Reception status button (this is located at the 2 o'clock position). Press once to hear the time and press twice for the reception status.
If the radio signal reception was successful the watch will speak the country name it is set to, followed by "Time updated".
If the radio signal reception failed the watch will speak the country name it is set to, followed by "Time not updated".
S2: Date Announcement and Battery check level button (this is located at the 4 o'clock position). Press once to hear the date (day, month, date and year) and press twice to the battery level on the second hand (there is no voice for the battery check).
Please note: There is no "Day talking" function after a new battery has been installed until it gets a first radio signal update.
Please note: Some sighted assistance may be required to view the second hand for the battery level check.
The battery level is indicated by the second hand position:
- Battery high = second hand points at 8 o'clock
- Battery medium = second hand points at 7 o'clock
- Battery low = second hand points at 6 o'clock
The watch will then return to normal running after 30 seconds.
Watch buttons S3 and S4 are both positioned on the left side of the watch face and are recessed so you will need to press these with a pointer (such as a pen or opened out paper clip).
S3: Alarm (this is located at the 10 o'clock position). Press this recessed button once and the watch will speak the alarm time that has been set. If the alarm is turned off the watch will announce "Alarm is off".
S4: Mode settings button (this is located at the 8 o'clock position). Press and hold this recessed button to enter the Watch menu mode.
Using the product
Watch menu mode
To set the alarm and/or hourly announcement or to re-synchronise the watch you will need to enter the Watch menu mode. To do this, press and hold the S4 (8 o’clock) button until the watch says: “Set alarm, press 10 o’clock button to set.” Each subsequent press of S4 will move to the next option of the menu, as follows:
- Set alarm – to set a time for the daily alarm
- Alarm on/off – to turn the daily alarm on or off
- Chime on/off – to turn the hourly announcement on or off
- Global signal reception – to select the required time signal
- Set time – to manually set the time (when a radio signal cannot be received)
- Second hand alignment – to re-synchronise the watch hands (if the watch hands become out of sync)
To enter any of the menu options listed above press the S3 (10 o’clock) button.
Set alarm
Press and hold S4 (8 o'clock) to enter the Watch menu mode. Select the Set alarm option by pressing S3 (10 o'clock).
Press S1 (2 o’clock) to set the hour and then press S2 (4 o’clock) to set the minute. Finally, press S4 (8 o’clock) to confirm.
When activated the alarm will sound for 30 seconds at the selected time. Press any button to silence the alarm.
The alarm will sound every day until it has been deactivated. To turn off the daily alarm, follow the Alarm on/off setting described in the next section.
You can also check your alarm time set by pressing S3 (10 o'clock) at any time when in normal time mode.
Alarm on/off
Press and hold S4 (8 o'clock) to enter the Watch menu mode. Select the Alarm on/off option by pressing S3 (10 o'clock).
Press S1 (2 o’clock) to turn the alarm on or press S2 (4 o’clock) to turn the alarm off. Finally, press S4 (8 o’clock) to confirm.
Chime on/off (Hourly time announcement)
When the Chime is on, the watch announces the hour every hour.
Press and hold S4 (8 o'clock) to enter the Watch menu mode. Select the Chime on/off option by pressing S3 (10 o'clock).
Press S1 (2 o’clock) to turn the chime on or press S2 (4 o’clock) to turn the chime off. Finally, press S4 (8 o’clock) to confirm.
Global signal selection
You can set your watch to receive either the UK, Germany, USA or Japan (60 KHz) time signals. When you select a new country the watch will adjust to the local time. The second hand will run fast during the adjustment and then return to normal.
Press and hold S4 (8 o'clock) to enter the Watch menu mode. Select the Global signal selection option by pressing S3 (10 o'clock).
Choose the required time zone by repeatedly pressing S1 (2 o’clock). Finally, press S4 (8 o’clock) to confirm.
After confirmation, the watch will set to the local time of the country that you have selected. Wait until the hands stop running and resume to normal.
Now your watch will show the local time of the country that you have selected. (It will also adjust for summer and winter time).
The watch will receive the local radio signal automatically overnight.
Manual time setting
Press and hold S4 (8 o'clock) to enter the Watch menu mode. Select the Set time option by pressing S3 (10 o'clock).
Press S1 (2 o’clock) to set the hour and then press S2 (4 o’clock) to set the minute. Take care when setting the hour to set it correctly for AM or PM. Finally, press S4 (8 o’clock) to confirm.
The hands will then spin rapidly to adjust to the selected time and then resume as normal once set.
Second hand alignment (re-synchronisation)
After replacing your watch battery, or following a sudden shock to your watch, it may be necessary to re-synchronise the hands and speech.
Press and hold S4 (8 o'clock) to enter the Watch menu mode. Select the Second hand alignment option by pressing S3 (10 o'clock). The second hand will move forward and then stop somewhere before 6 o’clock.
Press S1 (2 o’clock) repeatedly until the second hand points exactly at the 6 o’clock position and then press S4 (8 o’clock) button to confirm. The watch will stop for a while. Wait until the watch resumes operation (hands moving). After the watch resumes operation, the second hand is re-calibrated.
Manual signal reception
The manual signal reception forces the watch to search for the radio signal, if it has been unable to do so automatically. Please ensure that the watch is set to the correct country so it can receive an accurate signal.
The watch must be set to the right country before it can receive the signal (see above section).
While the watch is in normal time mode:
1. Press S1 (2 o'clock) button until the second hand stops.
The second hand of the watch will stop at the following reference points:
- 7 o'clock for USA signal reception
- 12 o'clock for UK signal reception
- 12:01 for Germany signal reception
- 5 o'clock for Japan (60 KHz signal only) signal reception
If the second hand is not pointing at the positions stated above it may need re-calibrating. To re-calibrate refer to the section Second hand alignment.
2. The watch takes about five to 14 minutes to pick up the signal. Wait until the watch has finished the signal receiving procedure.
3. After the signal reception, wait until the hands stop moving quickly and resume to normal.
4. Press S1 (2 o'clock) button once. If the reception was successful, the watch will speak the country name set to, followed by "Time updated". If the reception failed, the watch will speak the country name set to, followed by "Time not updated".
Receiving the time signal
The radio signal is at its strongest during the night and typically updates at about 3am. The best place to leave the watch to receive a signal is face down by a window, away from any metallic bars or electronic devices. You can test the success of the signal by pressing S1 (2 o'clock) button twice for a reception status. If your watch is unable to make contact with the radio signal, it will continue to function in the same way as a standard watch. The time will then be corrected the next time your watch receives the time signal.
Charging the watch
Your solar watch can be charged by solar (natural daylight) or electric light power and it is recommended to charge the watch for three to four hours every week. When the watch is fully charged, it can run for up to six months.
Please note: When charging the watch, avoid overheating the watch, as it will damage the watch permanently.
If the battery level is low the second hand jumps two steps every two seconds and all function buttons and the signal reception will eventually stop. The watch has a low battery alert and will make a beeping sound before it announces the time or date.
If the battery is not charged soon after the hands will stop at the 12 o'clock position to save battery power.
You now need to charge the watch. It may take up to 90 hours to fully charge if the battery is very low.
The watch will automatically set itself once the battery level returns to normal.
If charging with a lamp, you should place it three inches (8cm) above the solar watch to generate the required 10,000 Lux (amount of light power emitted from bulb) to the watch.
Recharging time
The charging time depends on the strength of light applied and is measured in Lux (amount of light generated). From a low battery to full charge is approximately as below:
- 10,000 Lux (under a desk lamp) = 80-90 hours
- 30,000 Lux (under direct sunlight) = 45-65 hours
Re-setting the watch
When the watch hands do not match to the voice time, the watch has to be reset.
Make sure the watch is running normally. Press and hold S4 (8 o'clock) to enter the Watch menu mode. Select the Second hand alignment option by pressing S3 (10 o'clock).
Press S3 (10 o'clock) button and the second hand moves to a new position and then stops, and then press and hold S2 (4 o'clock) button for more than 10 seconds and then release the button.
Now you can reset the hands to 12 o'clock. Start the hands moving quickly by pressing S2 (4 o'clock) button. Press S2 (4 o'clock) button to stop the hands moving quickly before they reach the 12 o'clock position (we suggest stopping the hands at about 11:59:00).
After the watch has stopped, adjust the second hand so all hands align at the 12 o'clock position by pressing the S2 (4 o'clock) button. Please note: If you accidentally go past the 12 o'clock position you will need to start this process again.
When all hands are aligned at the 12 o'clock position press S3 (10 o'clock) button for one second to confirm.
After confirmation wait until the watch resumes normal operation and then set your watch to the correct country signal and time zone (the time zone is only needed in the USA), and then set your local time manually (go to Manual time setting for details). You don’t need to set to the exact minute and second. However, make sure the hour and AM/PM are correct (this will ensure your watch will enter the signal reception at around 3AM local time). Your watch will synchronise to the atomic clock after it picks up the signal.
Position the watch face down on a flat surface near a window. The watch will automatically initiate a reception at 3AM after receiving a valid time signal. The hands will then move to the correct time.
Power saving mode
It is only recommended to use the power saving mode when the watch isn’t going to be used for an extended period.
To return the watch to power saving mode please do the following:
1. Press and hold S3 (10 o'clock) button with a pointer (do not release the button).
2. Then, press and hold S1 (2 o'clock) button within three seconds. Now S3 and S1 are pressed and held together. Hold these two buttons until the second hand starts spinning then release both buttons.
3. The watch will stop at 1 o'clock to enter power saving mode. However, the watch is still able to keep timekeeping internally.
Using the metallic bracelet strap
The clasp on the metallic bracelet strap is located centrally, either side of the bracelet links. To undo the clasp, unclip the small catch over the clasp and pull it up. You can feel where the front of the catch is as there is a small recessed area, semi-circular in shape, in front of it. Once lifted feel underneath the opened catch and you will feel a small metallic catch protruding. This is about 1cm away from the semi-circular recess. Pull this catch away from the other opened catch and the strap will open. Simply slide the watch over your wrist and then fold the opened part of the strap until it clicks shut. Finally, close the catch back over the clasp.
The bracelet is adjustable. We recommend that this is done by a jeweller or watch specialist as it requires tools to remove and replace the spring loaded adjustment bar. The spring loaded adjustment bar can be moved into different location holes to adjust the size of the bracelet to fit most wrists.
Please note: RNIB does not guarantee watch straps.
Battery replacement
Please note: It is recommended that sighted assistance is required to replace the battery and to synchronise the watch before use.
This watch uses a rechargeable ML2016 type battery. It is recommended that trained jewellers or watch specialists should fit new batteries to avoid any damage to the watch.
Please note: RNIB does not guarantee batteries.
Remove the four screws on the back of the watch with a small cross-headed screwdriver, and then take off the watch back (speaker) making sure you do not lose the waterproof seal.
Gently remove the round plastic adhesive cover, which sits over the watch battery, and then release the battery clip from the right hand side taking care not to damage the two springs that make contact with the speaker.
Remove the battery and insert a replacement noting the polarity (positive faced up).