Forest Cobbler Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 We have been changing watch batteries for over 15 years and have had an increasing number of customers asking for 5 year batteries. Can someone please tell us what they might be referring to? The boss and I were under the impression that the age/quality/functions of the watch dictated how long a battery could be expected to last. We always use quality, branded batteries and use high drain batteries for multi function watches. Is a 5 year battery a myth used to impress the gulible, or is there something that we have missed? Waiting for your views with bated breath. Valerie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 when I replied to this topic I got the information on the various battery manufacturers mAh specifications for each of there batteries directly from their websites. the mAh is the specification for how long the battery will run, before it drains & so its far to say the specs are from the "current" crop off batteries available. the higher the number the longer the battery will last. I am not aware of any new batteries with higher ratings so I would say these inquiries "could" be from those who have previously had a "life time guarantee" which I think Timpson offer, or have at some point? Perhaps these guarantees have given the impression to the owners that the batteries will last 5 years? In some cases the batteries will last almost as long as this, but its down to the movement & wear within it. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forest Cobbler Posted July 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 Thanks Lee, I will look at information on mAh, but surely a watch that does more than just tick round will run a battery down more quickly no matter what number it has on it. And we have heard rumours of the Timpsons guaranteed battery replacement if it has run down within a given time, so that could be where it's coming from. I wonder if they had very many come back, strikes me that most people will have forgotten where and when they had their battery replaced after a couple of years. Valerie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 but surely a watch that does more than just tick round will run a battery down more quickly no matter what number it has on it. Not necessarily the battery powers a small circuit that is regulated by a quartz crystal this in turn (usually) runs the watches mechanics with very little energy, regardless of how complex the movement is. I don't pretend to understand it all, but this site gives some very interesting reading & a little bit of understanding! http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/ga ... -watch.htm Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Friend Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 Its the built in GPS and laser cutter that really sucks the b***** out of the batteries, I have had to stop using the missile launcher until I can get back on planet and get a new battery fitted. UP! UP! and AWAYYYYYYYYYYYY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt bunce Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 lifetime guarantee watch batteries is a ploy to get customers to pay upto 3 times the normal price for a battery. Do I have news for them... The life of a watch battery is totally dependent upon the current consumption of the watch it is in. Of course, there are always exceptions. For instance, if a battery is installed using the fingers, the watch is set up for trouble, as the oil in the fingers will either cause a poor connection, reducing battery life, or worse, can sometimes be corrosive. Watchmakers know this and keep watch batteries meticulously clean. If the watch is older, has never been serviced, or has foriegn matter in it, causing extra friction, which in turn causes higher current consumption, the battery may last only 6 months. On the other hand, if the watch is newer, or has been serviced, say...within the past 2-3 years, it should last about as long as the manufacturer indicated in the instruction book packed with the watch. Normally about 2 to 3 years, although some watch companies manufacture watch calibers( watch movements) with very low current consumption, causing the batteries to actually last 5 years. Other watch movements use lithium batteries which have a longer life, some up to 8 or 10 years. So...why would a the largest chain in the uk advertise a life time battery when they know, it is not capable of lasting a life time? Primarily to collect more money up front, but also to get the customer back in the store at a later date, when the watch stops. If the customer comes back in and complains, they plan to put in a battery at no charge. but they have all ready paid over the top for the first one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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