how long do watch batteries last?

[Alpo]

I don't mean in the watch, making the hands go around. I mean spares, sitting on a shelf somewhere.

 

I've decided I'm finally going to replace the battery in my watch. So I look at Amazon to see how much they cost. Now I know they have several different types just like they got AAA and double A and d and c and 9 volt, they got lots of regular batteries. Logic says they would have several different types of hearing aid /wrist watch batteries.

 

So until I open my watch up and find out what kind it takes, I will not be able to find the price for absolutely certain. But I figured it would give me a roundabout.

 

Amazon seems to sell them in huge bulk. 10 batteries, 20 batteries, 50 batteries. If I was in the business of putting new batteries in people's watches, that would be a good thing. But if I just need to put a battery in my watch, how long before the extras would be dead?

 

I found one type that was five of them for $4, and that ain't bad. Even if I never used the other four of them it would still be cheaper than paying the jeweler $15 to replace it.

 

But the flashlight batteries I buy - the package say is they're good for 11 years and one of them says they're good for 20 years. So how long are watch batteries good for?

[Rip Snorter]

I have a couple - usually a little better than a year.  I also have self winding for times i don't want to go to the jeweler.

[Henry T Harrison]

I’m retired what’s a watch

[Rip Snorter]

Just now, Henry T Harrison said:

I’m retired what’s a watch

I thought I could go without when I retired, lasted a month.  16 years later, still wear one every day.   Must be the "busy" schedule - doing things the dogs want!

[Eyesa Horg]

46 minutes ago, Alpo said:

I don't mean in the watch, making the hands go around. I mean spares, sitting on a shelf somewhere.

 

I've decided I'm finally going to replace the battery in my watch. So I look at Amazon to see how much they cost. Now I know they have several different types just like they got AAA and double A and d and c and 9 volt, they got lots of regular batteries. Logic says they would have several different types of hearing aid /wrist watch batteries.

 

So until I open my watch up and find out what kind it takes, I will not be able to find the price for absolutely certain. But I figured it would give me a roundabout.

 

Amazon seems to sell them in huge bulk. 10 batteries, 20 batteries, 50 batteries. If I was in the business of putting new batteries in people's watches, that would be a good thing. But if I just need to put a battery in my watch, how long before the extras would be dead?

 

I found one type that was five of them for $4, and that ain't bad. Even if I never used the other four of them it would still be cheaper than paying the jeweler $15 to replace it.

 

But the flashlight batteries I buy - the package say is they're good for 11 years and one of them says they're good for 20 years. So how long are watch batteries good for?

In my experience, the name brand have lasted several years in the drawer. Usually past the expiration date, but not always! The off beat China brands, usually at least year and some have lasted several. For a watch, when I wore one, the batt would last a year or so in use. I would buy a pair at time or the most 4 of those. I always keep some 2032s on hand. Lots of things seem to use them. Like your new fangled key fobs and garage door remotes.

Energizer is my go to brand. Not as fond of Duracell lately, especially in regular C, D, AA, AAA.

[Sedalia Dave]

Used to buy Rayovac batteries, but after having a lot of batteries leak and ruin devices I now only buy Energizer or Duracell batteries.

 

I stay as far away from cheap chinese batteries as possible.

[Alpo]

You couldn't give me Duracell.

 

Well, that's not exactly true. If you gave me Duracell I would thank you nicely, but once you left I'd throw them in the trash.

 

Garbage belongs in the garbage.

[Eyesa Horg]

I've lost some nice electronics to Duracell leakage. Even the China ones are better in that aspect.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

I have a collection of 31 watches, about half are battery powered, the rest ate mechanical or inertia watches.

 

I take my battery powered watches in when as they go dead, $7.00 each and it takes about five minutes....longer if I get to "grazing around" the other merchandise (and that ends up costing me more most of the time).  

 

Average life once in the watch is 11-13 months.  I don't worry about getting the right battery because that's  their job.  I also get a 6 month warranty so if one does go bad I get a replacement  for no cost.

 

 

[Pat Riot]

I had a watch repairer and watch shop owner tell me that the best watch batteries come from Japan. 
 

When I wore watches - stopped when I retired - I always insisted on the best (Japanese) batteries. My watched would run several years before needing new batteries. 

[sassnetguy50]

3 hours ago, Henry T Harrison said:

I’m retired what’s a watch

The device that tells you it is time for The Price is Right.

[Wild Eagle]

I have several devices that take the button type batteries.  I buy from amazon and get about a dozen at a time because it's cheaper that way.  About the longest I have had them sitting around is three years.  They still worked after the three years and still lasted just as long as the new batteries.

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

Those AAs, AAAs, Cs and Ds that last for 11years?  Half or more leak after 8.

[Capt. James H. Callahan]

Thanks for the reminder. I just checked and my TAG second hand is ticking about 5 at a time. Don't remember when I replaced it but several years.

JHC

[Trailrider #896]

They all last right until when you need the watch to tell you it's time for a doctor's appointment or somesuch! 

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

Several years ago Sassparilla Kid gave me a Citizen Eco-Drive watch for... Father's Day?  Birthday?  Dang.  Don't recall.  At any rate, to date it's been the best watch I've ever had - does not need winding, is not inertial, no batteries to change.  I'm sure it has some sort of internal storage, but the face is actually a solar cell!  Supposedly, when charged it can still run for months in total darkness - which ain't gonna happen!  Favorite watch I've had so far.  

 

Second favorite was another Father's Day present - a battery-powered Swiss Army watch, with a solid titanium case and band.  That thing was tough, but did require battery changes every year and a half or so.  Retired it when I got the Citizen, the day after accidently ripping out one of the pins that held the band on (a simple fix).  Got the Citizen, put it on, and the only maintenance has been replacing worn-out watchbands - twice.  

 

 

 

 

[DeaconKC]

I'm still using a Seiko automatic diver's watch that I bought in a pawn shop 20+ years ago. Still keeps great time.

[Wild Eagle]

16 hours ago, DeaconKC said:

I'm still using a Seiko automatic diver's watch that I bought in a pawn shop 20+ years ago. Still keeps great time.

For a using watch, this Seiko is one of the best watches ever made.  Unless you physically damage it they just run.