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Dom
08-21-2023, 09:13 PM
Needed a new battery for my wrist watch. Went into two different jewelry stores ( Walmart no longer does it ) . One said $13, the other $15 to install a new battery. Went home, screwed the back off my watch. Got the battery #, 377.; Checked with e-bay. Two pack of batteries shipped, $2.14. On their way here. Of course I will be without my watch for a few days. No big deal. Sorry the picture is not any clearer. Used my wife's big magnifying glass to read it. #377. Very common battery for watches.

JonB_in_Glencoe
08-21-2023, 09:19 PM
some of the dollar stores have assortment paks of watch batterys.

david s
08-21-2023, 09:28 PM
Your listed as western Montana so Bob Wards sporting goods in Missoula use to replace watch batteries for free while you waited. They still have a small watch repair set up as far as I know. Not a bad place to wander while waiting.

Dom
08-21-2023, 09:42 PM
One of these jewelry shops I mentioned here used to replace watch batteries for free. No longer cater to that service.Guess because gas prices are UP!!. Wandering in Bob Wards can be dangerous. Could cost you far more than a watch battery. Wander be ware...

BLAHUT
08-21-2023, 10:24 PM
Lot of the big box stores carry watch battery's, may not install, the stores here have different ones hanging on displays ?

SeabeeMan
08-21-2023, 10:40 PM
I used to work in a middle to high end jewelry store in college. I think we charged about $10 to replace batteries, probably took me 10-15 minutes per watch. Problem was that I was expected to meet sales goals based on hours and depending on the season, that could be thousands of dollars in sales per hour worked. If you hit your goals 3 months in a row, you got a pay raise. Your pay just kept climbing until you couldn't get your goals for 4 months in a row and then you took a pay cut (always reasonable raises and cuts). The last thing I wanted to do was replace a watch battery for a negligible sale while I could have been working on closing on an engagement ring or some custom piece.

You're on the right track, most of them are very easy. I bought myself a cheap watch repair kit off Amazon the last time I needed one and did it myself. You just have to be aware that once you open it, it will never be as water resistant as it was and watch out for press on backs. You may be able to pop it off but getting it back on without scratching the face can be a bear.

36g
08-21-2023, 10:46 PM
A watch wrench to unscrew the backs is a good investment. Makes that battery change a breeze.

Winger Ed.
08-21-2023, 11:00 PM
It's a pain to have a watch battery changed around here.

I got a good. high end wrench for the back case cover for about $13. and a Energizer bunny battery from Amazon for $1.85.
I might have found a battery locally, but driving 12 miles in a truck that gets 10 mpg isn't really worth the trouble.

Froogal
08-22-2023, 08:16 AM
I stopped wearing a wrist watch sometime after getting a smart phone. To be honest, I have very little use for the phone other than knowing what time it is, so I guess it is probably the most expensive wrist watch I have ever owned.

country gent
08-22-2023, 09:55 AM
My last wrist watch was a Holzerkin natural materials and self winding no more batteries, but Ive got to keep moving LOL

MrWolf
08-22-2023, 09:56 AM
I stopped wearing a wrist watch sometime after getting a smart phone. To be honest, I have very little use for the phone other than knowing what time it is, so I guess it is probably the most expensive wrist watch I have ever owned.

Yea but I can tell you what the current altitude is and on and on. Basically I just need a waterproof watch for full time wearing. I got a watch kit a number of years ago, which has come I real handy, and then I got a g-shock watch. Batteries last a long time and twice a year I leave it in a window to update the time for daylight savings.

farmerjim
08-22-2023, 10:32 AM
I have a Casio solar-atomic. Never needs a battery and always correct to the exact second with the National bureau of standards radio station WWV.

Scorpion8
08-22-2023, 11:43 AM
A watch wrench to unscrew the backs is a good investment. Makes that battery change a breeze.

It does, and anybody can do it. But in most cases the watch will no longer be water-resistant. There are various ways of achieving that such as capping the cover under a nitrogen positive pressure so no air/moisture gets in past the seal. I've replaced batteries on my Timex's many times but sometimes you'll see some condensation buildup inside on hot humid days.

gwpercle
08-22-2023, 11:52 AM
It's always ... well Usually cheaper ... when you Do It Yourself .

There's a place in Baton Rouge LA. , The Battery Store ... all they sell are batteries and they will install them in most any device, if you buy the batteries .

For a Spare watch ... Walmart carries a line of rather nice looking watches made by George"s Men's Analog Watches ... $9.98 , they come in several styles and colores ... They look just as good as a Timex and for a back up watch ...the price is right !
They come with a battery to . I need to replace the watch I have now ...
and that $9.98 price looks good . Out of 60 reviews ...51 gave it 4 - 5 star rating , 8 gave it 3 - 2 star rating and 1 gave it 1 star ... that's pretty good !
I'm going to Wally Mart and check them out .
Gary

Dom
08-22-2023, 12:35 PM
Thanks all. Great info...

jonp
08-22-2023, 05:09 PM
HF Will sell you a giant pack of different sizes for cheap. They don't last as long but for the price you are way ahead

dverna
08-22-2023, 11:37 PM
I got pissed with replacing the battery on an Omega a girlfriend gave me. It was over $100 to have it done and it was not a DIY process.

When we parted, I purchased a Hamilton automatic. No more batteries to worry about. It is not as accurate as a battery watch and need to reset it every couple of weeks. I can live with that.

pworley1
08-23-2023, 06:28 AM
Our walmart still sells the batteries so I just take my old battery in to be sure to get the correct one then pop it in and go on my way.

10x
08-23-2023, 06:56 AM
It's always ... well Usually cheaper ... when you Do It Yourself .

There's a place in Baton Rouge LA. , The Battery Store ... all they sell are batteries and they will install them in most any device, if you buy the batteries .

For a Spare watch ... Walmart carries a line of rather nice looking watches made by George"s Men's Analog Watches ... $9.98 , they come in several styles and colores ... They look just as good as a Timex and for a back up watch ...the price is right !
They come with a battery to . I need to replace the watch I have now ...
and that $9.98 price looks good . Out of 60 reviews ...51 gave it 4 - 5 star rating , 8 gave it 3 - 2 star rating and 1 gave it 1 star ... that's pretty good !
I'm going to Wally Mart and check them out .
Gary

You are absolutely right on the $9.95 George watch.
Analog, not too big - but I have to replace the strap as apparently their market has the wrists of an 8 year old boy.
I get between 3 to 4 years from a George watch before it is only right twice a day.
Not to mention that over it's lifetime I only have to set it at the daylight savings change dates.

I gave up wearing expensive watches years ago.

jonp
08-23-2023, 07:22 AM
I'm trying out an Amazon Basic watch. Large, easy to read dial, 100m water and so far superbly accurate. I have not reset it in 2 weeks. I think it was $16.
I have a number of watches wind, battery and auto but my daily is a Casio Wave Ceptor. Solar so never needs winding or a battery and it sets itself every morning at 0400 by the atomic clock in CO. Highly recommend this watch

Bmi48219
08-23-2023, 04:49 PM
I don’t feel the need to wear a wristwatch. Haven’t for 35 years. Between pagers, then cellphones didn’t see much sense hanging anything else on my person.

firefly1957
08-24-2023, 06:11 AM
I have one of those cards with many battery types it is years old and the batteries keep my watches going well over a year . A little silicone grease on the O ring will generally keep the watch water proof .

jonp
08-24-2023, 05:50 PM
I don’t feel the need to wear a wristwatch. Haven’t for 35 years. Between pagers, then cellphones didn’t see much sense hanging anything else on my person.

Never did untill the military then the habit of a watch and a hat became a thing. Diving you need a backup.

Bmi48219
08-24-2023, 08:01 PM
Never did untill the military then the habit of a watch and a hat became a thing. Diving you need a backup.

Diving is a different ballgame. Plus underwater a watch doesn’t weigh much.

jonp
08-25-2023, 03:20 PM
Diving is a different ballgame. Plus underwater a watch doesn’t weigh much.

Indeed which is why I rarely wear my
Tissot Seastar 1000 or the Omega Planet Ocean unless much water will be involved. Great watches but a little big.

higgins
08-25-2023, 06:48 PM
Drug stores may carry watch batteries. I can't speak from experience because I haven't worn a watch since I retired nineteen years ago. Seems like I'm never out of sight of a clock at home in the vehicles, or on the phone. Haven't missed a watch one bit.

fiberoptik
08-25-2023, 10:32 PM
You are absolutely right on the $9.95 George watch.
Analog, not too big - but I have to replace the strap as apparently their market has the wrists of an 8 year old boy.
I get between 3 to 4 years from a George watch before it is only right twice a day.
Not to mention that over it's lifetime I only have to set it at the daylight savings change dates.

I gave up wearing expensive watches years ago.

I’ve noticed the same thing; bands that would be too small for even my wifes wrist!

Bmi48219
08-27-2023, 03:00 PM
Despite my repeatedly stated wishes, over the past ten years our older daughter has given me two wristwatches, and the wife who really knows better gave me one. It’s tough to act enthusiastic about receiving something you’ll never use. I’ve tried.

Rapier
08-28-2023, 11:49 AM
If you wear a wrist watch and get an eco drive, it is 100% light operated, sun, light bulbs, etc. I wear the Citizens SS eco drive day, date, Dive watch with the atomic clock update every 3 seconds, as a surveyor, the correct time is a must for a true start setting. You can buy them with and without the computer connection. Got used to the weight, does not bother all that much.
The computer connect Citizens Dive watch is the same issued to all of the PJs.

GONRA
08-28-2023, 05:58 PM
GONRA's GARMIN watch just needs charging every 10-days or so.
Satellites take care of EVERYTHING !! !