Comments on: How to Clean a Watch Battery Leak

By: DINDA AULIA AZZAHRA PUTRI PURWANTO

DINDA AULIA AZZAHRA PUTRI PURWANTO — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 06:36:41 +0000

As an Electrical Engineering student, I find your breakdown of watch battery failure modes to be a perfect case study in the electrochemical degradation of small-scale energy storage. The “catastrophic failure” you describe is a classic example of electrolyte leakage via seal degradation, where the hermetic integrity of the cell is compromised.

By: Selvia Chapman

Selvia Chapman — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 06:52:01 +0000

I gave my Dad a Timex Expedition for his anniversary quite a few years ago. He loved it because the watchface numbers glowed in the dark eventually it stopped running. When he passed away this past May2025. It was given back to me as part of my inheritance. I noticed it had something green on the band does this mean that the batteries leaked? If so if cleaned up could it run again with a new battery?I found the same watch new on eBay would it be possible to use the new parts to repair the old one. I just want it to run again it’s very special to me.

By: Colin

Colin — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 17:08:50 +0000

In reply to Gary Ronning. Hi Gary, the cost of the movements can vary wildly depending on the current availability. Some Zenith watches use ETA Quartz movements, such as a 955 type or similar. These are only around $20-30 each, and so quite affordable to replace, although if you have an unusual type it may be necessary to send the watch to the manufacturer for them to replace/repair the watch. Colin

By: Gary Ronning

Gary Ronning — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 22:15:12 +0000

Hi Colin – I am enjoying your commentaries. I have the opportunity to acquire 4 Zenith quartz watches very reasonably, which evidently have had battery leakage. These are from my watch repair jeweler. Assuming the worst, what might the charges be for repairing/replacing the movements? The watches are otherwise in good condition. I also have an older (no date) Longines Conquest watch with the same issue. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you ! Gary (USA)

By: It consultancy Australia

It consultancy Australia — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 05:06:39 +0000

I am so glad you shared this information. It is very helpful for me.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 15:55:12 +0000

Hello Colin-

I had a Victorinox Peak II watch with erratic starting and stopping (with newish battery) over a 2 year period. It also had the inside crystal slightly fogged due to some “moisture(?)” intrusion. A nearby jeweler changed battery and cleaned inside of crystal and said, it was difficult to clean. An authorized repair facility later deemed the movement as unsalvagable and had me replace it. The watch internals never seemed to show water intrusion, but I wonder if battery gassing off (hydrogen?) could cause slight (but noticeable) fogging on inside of crystal?

This discussion underscores that quality quartz movement maintenance should not be taken for granted or ignored.

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 11:12:26 +0000

In reply to mark j. dombek. Great, thanks Mark, I'm glad you found the article useful. Colin

By: mark j. dombek

mark j. dombek — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 23:04:53 +0000

Colin,
Thank you for this very well written and illustrated article. Since I began to work on watches in 2003, hundreds of battery changes have also been done. All along it has been common to find leaking off brand batteries as well as quite a number from Renata, Rayovac and Varta. It has been rare to find a leaking Energizer, Sony, Seiko and Maxell. If so, it was when the watch had sat a very long time when discharged and allowed to get quite warm, as when kept in a car’s glovebox or left setting in sunlight on a window ledge.
Because of the Swiss reputation for guality, initially, a considerable stock of Renata batteries was puchased. After a couple of years of having watches coming back with leaking batteries, the switch was made to Energizer and no problems since.
Recently I decided to give Maxell a try, but this was before reading your article and seeing the comparative leakage chart. Now, I wish I had stayed with Energizer.

Thanks again for the great article,
M.J. Dombek (Milwaukee, Wis.)

By: Colin

Colin — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 10:54:04 +0000

In reply to Nancy.

Hi Nancy,

Thanks for your question.

A battery in a watch will generally last for up to 2 years from new; there can be exceptions, lithium batteries last longer, and watches without a seconds hand tend to last a little longer too, and some watches can last for 5 years on the same battery – although this is unusual.

A battery powered watch doesn’t run slowly unless there is an issue with it. You mention that you took it to a reputable jeweller, which is a good sign. You’ve said that it is working when you dropped it off, but the fact that it was running slowly – for a number of years – shows that it wasn’t really working properly. A battery that has leaked can corrode the watch, that means that when you remove the battery then part of the contacts in the watch can come away too. That means that as soon as you remove a leaked battery, it will not work it you place a new battery in there.

Leaking batteries can still work, so that doesn’t prove or disprove anything. The jeweller could have damaged the watch when the battery was being changed, but all things considered I would think that they are telling the truth and your watch needs a service. Watches are very delicate instruments, and it doesn’t take much to upset them or stop them from working.

I hope that helps.

Colin

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 00:20:25 +0000

Question for Colin… I took my RADO watch in for a battery replacement because it was starting to run slow and it had been about 2years so the battery needed to be replaced. It was working when I gave it to a very reputable jeweler in the Detroit area. i was to pick it up in an hour as they were to replace the battery in house while i waited. They called me and told me they tried 3 new batteries and it would not work. Needless to say i was shocked it was working when i dropped it off… They said they would send it out for an estimate to have it repaired. it took 2 weeks to get the estimate and they called me and said that the battery had leaked and caused a lot of damage and needed an over haul at the cost of $256. My question is can a watch continue to work if the battery leaked this bad to need an overhaul? Could the jeweler have done something to cause this when they opened it and tried to replace the battery in house? i have seen many posts about not letting a dead battery sit in a watch as it will eventually leak, but can a watch work if the battery is leaking?

Please let me know what you think of the situation. Your comment would be greatly appreciated.