Hi Charles.
The 2. 4 you describe looks like the date display you'd get from a P3 module. It may have a replacement P3 module installed (in which case the date display would never normally be activated). See the image at the bottom of this page:
http://crazywatches.w.interia.pl/photo/ ... _tech.html
Remove the module and check if there's a reed switch on both sides (glass tubes). If there is a reed switch on the left side of the module, then it's probably "stuck on" for some reason. Check if there's a short across the switch. If it is shorted, then you could try putting a magnet against it a few times to try to release it. Otherwise you could cut one of the ends that connects to the module.
Rgds,
Andrew.