zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Don't count on it! Most watches utilizing a "regular" battery (non-rechargable thru solar power) vary in useful life from the usual 1 yr. to 5 yr on the outside. The difference is not in the battery generally, but in the "drain" imparted to the battery by the watch. (similiar to "miles per gallon" in a car!)

The touted "never needing another battery" watches uses a special rechargeable battery with an extra prong welded on to it, so regular batteries can't be substituted. (they also make it VERY difficult to even get at, and i couldn't find a source for a replacement anyway!)

I do some repairs for Sears, and i've had several lower end Elgin watches claiming to never need a battery with the solar recharging feature that wouldn't "hold" a charge after a VERY short time. The watch would work if you held it right under a light but stop when in normal position on the wrist. One watch was only 6 months old!

Other than some form of recharging system on a watch, the drain imparted is the main determinant in how long a fresh battery lasts in running a watch. Frankly, i would highly recommend people change the battery much sooner anyway. Batteries approaching full discharge will somtimes leak corrosive matter into the movement.......at times ruining it! Most namebrand watches have a "shelf life" of 5 years from my experience. So why chance ruining a higher grade quartz watch thru miserly handling of the finances. You wouldn't change the oil in your car only when it turned to mud after 20,000 miles, would you? Still may run, after all. So look at it as normal "maintenance" on your prized watch. A super "expected" 5 year battery might better be changed after 3 years! Why risk a major headache aver a few bucks?

Just my thoughts on it......

Joe T

: I had a watch name Wittnauer(TTC Longlife)
: which
: had 20 years battery life.I bought it for $230
: (discounted price)in 1994. Last year I gave it
: away to a friend. Still runing(9 years)! Let's
: see
: how long it can go. Is it not amazing? I wonder
: what kind of batterey does it have?

: Ishrar