A quartz watch battery typically lasts several years. The exact time depends on the movement, the battery, and how you use the watch, especially whether it has a chronograph you run often. When it finally runs down, the fix is simple: have the battery replaced at a jeweler or watch shop.
Here is what affects battery life, how to tell when it is going, and what to do about it.
How long does a quartz watch battery last?
Typically several years. A quartz movement uses very little power. The battery sends a small current through a quartz crystal, which vibrates at a steady rate, and a tiny motor moves the hands. That small, steady draw is why quartz watches can go a long time between batteries.
I am not going to give you a precise number, because there is no honest single number. Two identical watches can see different battery life depending on how they are used.
What makes a watch battery die faster?
- Running the chronograph. On many quartz chronographs, keeping the stopwatch running uses extra power. Timing things now and then is fine. Leaving the chronograph running all day, every day, will shorten battery life.
- Extra functions. Lights, alarms and other features draw more power than a simple time-only watch.
- Heat and cold. Batteries do not like extremes. Leaving a watch on a hot car dashboard or in a freezing car is not good for it.
- Time in storage. A battery slowly loses charge even before the watch is worn, so a watch that sat in a drawer has already used some of its life.
How do you know a quartz watch battery is dying?
Watch for these signs:
- The seconds hand starts jumping several seconds at a time instead of ticking once per second. Some quartz movements do this on purpose as a low-battery warning.
- The watch starts losing time when it used to be accurate.
- The chronograph acts strangely, like not starting, stopping on its own, or not resetting cleanly.
- The watch stops. The obvious one.
If you see any of these, plan to replace the battery soon rather than waiting.
Should you replace the battery right away?
Yes. A dead battery left inside a watch for a long time can leak and damage the movement. If you are not going to wear a quartz watch for a long stretch, it is better to have the dead battery taken out than to leave it sitting there.
Where should you get a watch battery replaced?
Go to a jeweler or watch shop. It is a quick job for them. A good shop will:
- Open the caseback with the right tool so it does not get scratched.
- Use the correct battery for your movement.
- Check or replace the gasket, the rubber ring that keeps water out.
- Close the case properly. If you swim with your watch, ask whether they can test the water resistance afterward.
Can you do it yourself? You can, with the right tools. But a slipped tool can scratch the case or the movement, and a badly seated gasket can let water in. For a watch you care about, I would leave it to a shop. For more on keeping water out, see Watch Water Resistance Explained.
Is a quartz watch still worth it if the battery dies?
Absolutely. A battery change every several years is far less maintenance than most mechanical watches need. You also get accuracy and no winding. That is why quartz is such a good everyday choice. If you are weighing the options, see Quartz, Automatic or Mecaquartz: Which Movement Should You Buy?
How Season fits
Season No. 2 runs on a Seiko VK63 mecaquartz chronograph. The timekeeping is quartz, so it is accurate and needs no winding. The chronograph is a mechanical module, which is why the chrono seconds hand sweeps smoothly and snaps back to zero instantly when you reset it. More on that in What Is a Mecaquartz Chronograph?
Like any quartz chronograph, the battery typically lasts several years, and running the chronograph a lot uses more power. When it is time, take it to a jeweler or watch shop. Because the watch is rated 10 ATM, ask them to check the gasket when they close it up.
The watch is 39mm, 11.8mm thick with glass, in 316L steel, $199, with a one-year limited warranty covering movement-related issues under normal use. Each color is limited to 100 numbered pieces. Trinity, with its black dial and three colored subdials, is the boldest of the three.
Quick answers
How long does a quartz watch battery last?
Typically several years, depending on the movement and how you use it.
Does using the chronograph drain the battery?
On many quartz chronographs, yes. Running it constantly shortens battery life.
Where should I replace my watch battery?
At a jeweler or watch shop. Ask them to check the gasket so the water resistance holds.
Questions about your Season's movement? Email me at journeyabouttime@gmail.com. — Sam