Choosing and Changing a Watch Battery
The introduction of the quartz movement by Seiko in 1969 marked the start of a new era in the world of watches. This movement is distinguished by its precision and lower manufacturing cost. Besides, it does not need periodic maintenance, unlike mechanical or automatic movement. However, the constraint of this piezoelectric movement lies in its source of energy: an electric battery that must be replaced when it is flat. The choice of this battery element is essential to ensure the longevity of the operation of your watch.
Find out everything you need to know about the watch battery, its specifics, the right time to change it, its lifespan without forgetting the good habits to change it.
Which Battery Powers your Watch?
These must be more efficient to operate the LCD screen. In all cases, there are universal references to determine the model of battery that suits your watch.
The Dimension
A watch battery is also called a button battery because of its cylindrical shape. Its size varies depending on the model: from 5 to 20 mm in diameter and 1 to 6 mm in height.
It is the user’s responsibility to check the exact size of the battery that powers its watch. This information can be found on the Internet or in the user manual. But it is also possible to read the reference of the battery which accompanied the watch with the purchase.
The Reference
An alphanumeric code is engraved on a button cell to recognize the size and the material used for its manufacture. The reference begins with an alphabetical code that determines the material with which the battery was made. It is followed by a 3 or 4 digit numeric code corresponding to the size.
Note that it is possible to have another type of reference on which the numerical code entered is a number ranging from 1 to 13. This number corresponds to the above-mentioned 3 or 4 digit code.
In any case, this code is very useful for accurately identifying the type of battery that will be used to replace the pre-installed one.
The Chemical Composition of the Watch Battery
The chemical composition of the watch battery corresponds to the alphabetical code written on the reference.
Generally, there are three types of batteries in watches: Alkaline, Silver, and Lithium.
- An alkaline battery is noted L on the reference. Its characteristic is to deliver a nominal voltage of 1.5 V.
- A silver oxide battery is coded by the letter S. It delivers a nominal voltage of 1.55 V for a minimum voltage of 1.2 V.
- Finally, a lithium battery has the letter C for reference. It delivers a nominal voltage of 3 V for a minimum voltage of 2 V.
It is very important to note the chemical composition of a battery in addition to its size. Due to the large variation in electrical voltage that each model delivers, this is very important.
You should know that it is possible to interchange an alkaline battery and a silver battery. However, you should not use a lithium battery for a watch that is supposed to accommodate one of the two previous types.
When should you change the Battery on a Watch?
There is no specific cycle for determining when a battery should be changed. The user should be attentive to get an idea of the state of his battery.
A Quartz Watch
The first symptom that it is time to replace a battery is when it is no longer on time. Indeed, quartz watches are extremely precise. If it shows even the slightest delay, it means that the battery is starting to no longer deliver enough electricity to move work properly.
A Digital Watch
If you use a digital watch, you will notice that the intensity of the LCD begins to tarnish. When adjusting or operating via the buttons, the screen even starts to flash slightly. This is a sign of wear and tear on your battery. It is then time to replace it before the device stops working.
What is the Lifespan of a Watch Battery?
There is no hard and fast rule about the life of a watch battery. Several factors come into play. In general, the watch battery can last 2 years or more, if it is of good quality. However, A smartwatch can last for a couple of days.
Depending on the Complications
The lifespan of a battery varies according to the complications which equip a watch. The more complications it has, the more energy it takes to function. The battery will then drain more quickly.
The energy consumption of a watch displaying only the hour and the minute will be less compared to a more complicated watch. Thus, a watch with a chronograph, moon phase, and calendar function will drain its battery faster compared to a simpler model.
Other factors to consider
You should know that when the ambient temperature is very low, the battery drains faster. While in a high-temperature environment, the battery will provide more autonomy.
The use of complications can also influence the life of a battery. If the user uses complications such as the stopwatch, the battery will drain faster. Again, the frequency of use of complications comes into play.
How to Change a Watch Battery?
Changing the battery of a watch can be easy. However, each watch model is different and it sometimes takes specific tools to achieve this. Moreover, Smartwatches and hybrid watches are different as well. Once you have access to the battery, simply replace it and close the watch.
Screw-down Watch
A screw-down watch opens with a screw thread system. The user will, therefore, have to unscrew the back of the timepiece to be able to change the battery. The difficulty of this operation varies depending on the model. You often need a watch opener to do so without damaging the watch. To close the watch, you just have to screw the case back on.
Watch with clipped back
The opening is made by unclipping the back of the watch. In this system, it is necessary to use a watch opener blade. Avoid using knives or sharp blades, as you may injure yourself or destroy the watch. You also need a special press to close it, because high pressure is often necessary to replace the bottom.
Precautions to Take
When replacing a battery, some precautions should be taken. First, check that the new battery matches the reference of the old one. If you want to change the type of battery, make sure that the new one is equivalent to the previous one, especially in terms of the voltage delivered.
It is also important to perform the replacement in a clean, dust-free location. Contamination of the movement with particles can cause a malfunction. In the worst case, it can damage the watch.
It is important to be attentive and work in a well-lit environment. Also, metal and sharp tools are to be avoided, as they risk damaging the movement or creating a short circuit.
Finally, you must check the condition of the seals if your watch has them. If these are in poor condition, they must be taken advantage of to replace them.
