How to: Quartz Watch not Working after a Battery Change

[@watchrefurbish]

Thanks Colin! Because of this video I now have 2 new tools to help with troubleshooting quartz watches. I changed the battery on a nice Movado Eta 955.424 movement and the watch won't run. Before i found your video i decided to strip down the watch, clean it, and reassemble it to see if that fixes it. Next time, thanks to your video, i'll use the Horotec Pulse and the Horotec Turbo first!

[@watchoffthecuff]

Awesome! Yeah, total time saver!!!! It has gotten me put of plenty of trouble in the past. Just knowing if the timing circuit is even firing using the Pulse is a game changer! lol Anyway, so glad you found the video helpful... a friend who is just getting into repairing asked me how I do basic quartz troubleshooting so I shot the video with him in mind. Anyway, thanks for the kind note! Cheers, Colin

[@champagne_charlie10]

Did stripping it down and cleaning make the watch work?

[@FranciscoRios-gt2nb]

Thanks!

[@watchoffthecuff]

Thanks Francisco!

[@testchannelone6616]

Very useful! I'm going to look into the Pulse and Turbo. I just got a Seiko SX V701-5J00 quartz watch from ebay and the crown/stem are gunked up and possibly the mechanism is also no good. Where would I go to obtain the replacements? Thanks.

[@watchoffthecuff]

You might have to return to ebay to find parts! Cheers, Colin

[@nofear6235]

Very nice video! Thanks for putting it out. Question if I may: I have 20 plus years old Klaus Kobek, that has sentimental value for me (i wear from time to time ). Last year I replaced the battery (myself) after it stops and I noticed few days after it started loosing the time and then eventually stopped few weeks after. Next I though may be battery was expired or something like this, ordered new from e-bay and same story. Is it possible that movement getting bad or dirty? It is Moyota and I would replaced, but since it's chronograph and have these lil dials with tiny hands I am trying to avoid this at all cost. I did few movement replacement on other less complicated dials and I remember how hard to deal with these very small hands, at least for me (amateur diy).

[@watchoffthecuff]

Could be just a bit sticky as described in the video, so the horotec turbo would probably help. You are right you want to avoid a movement swap at all costs. Those small chrono hands can be dificult to deal with. I did a Zodiac once where the hands came off but the bushing in the hands stayed stuck on the original stems.. so I had to separately remove those ansd press them back into the subdial hands... for all three small hands! It turned out okay in the end but not for the faint of heart!!!

[@nofear6235]

@@watchoffthecuff thank you for reply man! Damn @ Zodiac hands you had to deal with. Glad you was able to do it in the end. I once abend my wife's Omega Constellation mini watch many moons ago because of issue with installing hands back when I replaced the movement. Original movement went south after the guy in jewelry store attempted to replace the battery. The good thing about this particular situation it made me to do my own watches and when required something bigger then I can pull, to use recommended professional watchmaker.

[@Jim-Mc]

Got a 1981 Citizen that's part analogue and part digital. I'd like to get the the analogue part going at least (damaged display) new battery and even a magnet have not helped. I'm wondering if the analogue part will even work without the digital now😢

[@watchoffthecuff]

Yeah, tough to tell without seeing the watch in person. I wish I had some great and magical advice for you! I'm at a loss as to what to suggest!

[@jefferyparker5622]

I have two watches that I have this issue with. I took one to a jeweler and they tried two different batteries and still nothing. It is a Tourneau quartz movement and the jeweler said to send it back to the manufacturer. I have looked up what it costs to send a watch back to Tourneau and it is very expensive. I have an Invicta SS Pro Diver and have the same issue. Any suggestions about getting these looked at?

[@watchoffthecuff]

Eeek! That's rough! Where are you located? Finding a local watchmaker is your best bet! They would be able to do similar testing to what I demonstrate in the video to find out what is going on!

[@jefferyparker5622]

​@@watchoffthecuffI am trying to reply

[@jefferyparker5622]

​@@watchoffthecuffI was having trouble replying to your message. I am in Arkansas. They didn't do much for me, and didn't offer any additional service.

[@michaelsemenchuk3056]

I have an old Timex Expedition with an old battery but it still works. I bought 2 new batteries anyway because it has been years since I swapped batteries in this watch, but neither of them work after installation. I have tested the new batteries with a meter and they both show slightly over 3 volts. The new batteries are the exact same number, CR2016, as what was in the watch, but neither of the two new ones work. It almost feels like the contact points in the new batteries are not lining up with the ones in the watch.

[@watchoffthecuff]

Interesting. If you like you can send me a pic to [e-mail] and I can see if something is jumping out to me. Silly question but have you put the batteries in upside down? with the CR type they are sometimes installed inverted when compared to installing a standard cell. Just throwing it out there! Cheers, Colin

[@alexandrealaniz]

​@@watchoffthecuff I chance the battery of my Timex. He Works for a while (some hours) and then stops. I turn the crown to adjust the time, and Begin to work again. Any Idea about this issue? Tnks

[@watchoffthecuff]

The crown position let's the watch know if it's it time setting or run mode, I wonder if the keyless works is loose and you aren't getting a good contact when the crown is pushed in. If it stops again maybe try just pushing the crown in firmly to see if that is the issue?

[@fabianlabian]

I have an old Legion which i like, doesnt work with a new battery and when i put it on the Turbo it goes backwards for some reason.

[@watchoffthecuff]

The Turbo depending on how you position it in relation to the coil can make the watch go backwards. So don't be too alarmed by that. Do you have a pulse from the circuit?

[@fabianlabian]

@@watchoffthecuff i'm a complete beginner and i want to save the watch if i can. Ive put a new battery in and theres no Pulse, also on my quartz tester the hands dont move if i push the Line Free button all the way down, the hands spin only when half pushed and half power applied, maybe a resistor prob, ive no idea? and thankyou for responding

[@watchoffthecuff]

Sorry, I wish I had some solid advice for you! Finding out what the coil resistance is supposed to be to make sure the coil is okay might be the place to start? Usually, from a commercial repair perspective it is cheaper to get a replacement movement when available - so I rarely do a deep dive on quartz movements. Cheers, Colin

[@johnnyrenieris8981]

Does this apply to Sapphire watches too?

[@watchoffthecuff]

Yes! Definitely.

[@basedpatriotLT]

for me, after battery change, only chronograph functions do not work... Can it be that the battery has not enough power for those?

[@watchoffthecuff]

You might have to reset the watch. This is done by shorting out the positive and negative with a pair of tweezers. Sometimes the chip needs to be reset after a battery change (very common with mecha-quartz Seiko chronographs). What is the calibre of movement?

[@basedpatriotLT]

@@watchoffthecuff ISA 8171/202

[@jimf1196]

Thanks for this video. It might not be recommended but after watching you use the Turbo I got two old watches running by rapidly waving a permanent magnet over them. I assumed the Turbo is generating a pulsed magnetic field and overriding the coil.

[@watchoffthecuff]

Bingo! You are right, probably not ideal as it could magnetize other parts, but glad it got the job done!

[@DeutschlandGuy]

So where does one buy a new quartz movement? Certainly, there must be many different models and types... How would a person determine exactly what to buy, and where would they buy it? 🤔

[@watchoffthecuff]

There are a number of movement sellers in North American and Europe. Once you get the calibre number off the movement (essentially the part number) you also usually for a quartz movement need to remove the dial and hands and measure the hour wheel (gear that connects to the hour hand), so you can purchase the correct height for the hands. They do this to accommodate different dial thicknesses.

[@Bruhstorfer]

Just replaced my battery on a Victorinox and discovered a broken negative battery contact. A repair shop quoted 200 to replace movement. Seems a bit much

[@watchoffthecuff]

"discovered"? sounds fishy. The negative contact is usually also retains or holds the battery in place... best to just replace the contact/battery retainer. The $200 is a fair price for replacement as the hands, dial etc have to be removed, then the dial and hands refitted to the new movement and recased. Question is a broken contact shouldnt warrant a whole new movement in my opinion. The devil is in the details though, so I might be off base as I havent seen the damage first hand! Send me a pic??? Cheers, Colin

[@watchoffthecuff]

oh wait... after reading again it was you that found the broken contact... sorry about that! send me a pic and maybe I can suggest an economical fix.

[@Bruhstorfer]

@@watchoffthecuff I'd appreciate that. I can send you pics tomorrow

[@RonRizzo]

What is the orange peice of plastic underneath the battery? Is that supposed to stay under the new battery once installed.

[@watchoffthecuff]

It is an isolator, so the battery does not touch unwanted parts of the movement. It definitely needs to remain in place.

[@RonRizzo]

Ok. When I removed the old battery the insulator peice came out with it. I put the new one in without the insulator first and the watch would not work so I put the insulator back in place underneath the new battery and it will will not work did I damage the watch by not placing the insulator in the first time? I tried a different battery as well with the insulator underneath and still not working?

[@watchoffthecuff]

The insulator usually has a notch or hole that lets a contact poke through to make contact with the underside (negative) of the battery. it should not damage the circuit as some watches actually require you to short out the positive and negative to reset the chip after a battery change (most chronographs require this operation to be perforned as part of the battery change for example).

[@RonRizzo]

Ok. The insulator has a tab. I can't see a notch or hole. So I guess I'll just have to fiddle with it to see where the correct placement should be?

[@watchoffthecuff]

as long as you get the insulator under the metal negative contact it should be fine. Can you see where the negative contact is so you can make sure its making contact to the battery when installed? Also, make sure the crown is pushed in, and you havent pulled it out by mistake when you removed the caseback (this has happened to me where I couldn't figure out why the watch was not running only to discover I'd inadvertently pulled out the crown).

[@lunachu22]

I've seen other videos to spray a little wd-40 to lubricate the gears. Do you recommend that?

[@watchoffthecuff]

No, WD-40 should never be used on watch parts, and ideally if fresh lubricant is applied the parts should be fully cleaned first to remove the old lubricant!

[@yoyex2009]

No. They used a especial lubricant

[@mjremy2605]

WD-40 is NOT a lubricant. Watches and Sewing Machines are precision instruments and need specific lubricants. WD-40 is a cleaner of metals, and a penetrating oil (thin oil with dryers in it). Using it to lubricate will jam up any mechanical parts from watches, to sewing machines to locks, door hinges, etc. Use it only on rusted out parts to get them loose, then clean it off, and re-lubricate with Silicone lube. WD-40 is nice to shine up plastic, clean a metal fridge exterior. Very limited. Utube has a lot of amateurs promoting junk. Be careful whose advice you follow.

[@watchoffthecuff]

Great, great advice!!!!!

[@watchoffthecuff]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6WnZGOslLFqoJosi=cBemzpR9dywsMRhH

[@omenk8412]

How about the disney goofy watch with reverse movement. Can these reverse movements still be acquired?

[@watchoffthecuff]

I'm not sure.... do you know the calibre???

[@omenk8412]

@@watchoffthecuff How do you find the calibre?

[@watchoffthecuff]

If you open the watch there should be a maufacturers mark (or name) with some kind of code identifying the movement. feel free to send me pictures! - and I'll try to help.

[@omenk8412]

@@watchoffthecuff Unfortunately youtube will not allow me to post photos in the comment section ;-(

[@watchoffthecuff]

send pics to me ar [e-mail]

[@alexanderparis1001]

Hi i do have a FOSSIL ARKITEKT SPEEDWAY CHRONOGRAPH FS3075 and once i put a battery on it, it will work for some hours only

[@watchoffthecuff]

Is there still an impulse to the coil? Do you have a way to test it? Does it get "stuck" in the same spot? (Wondering if it's just jammed). Also, sometimes when the battery is changed you press it in too hard and and puts pressure on the hour wheel when the movement and dial are pushed together too tightly This can also happen when you use a replacement battery that is too thick. Some things to try/consider anyway, hope this helps! Cheers, Colin

[@alexanderparis1001]

@@watchoffthecuff thanks, how about automatic watches? do you know anything about them?

[@watchoffthecuff]

Yes, I have a few videos that involve automatics! Mostly vintage though.

[@alexanderparis1001]

@@watchoffthecuff great, I own a vintage Seiko, do you mind if I send some pictures to you? I really don't know how to fix this thing. Hope you can help me with it

[@alexanderparis1001]

It works but just for a short period of time, even if I wind it or wear it

[@kenfritz9565]

Colin, great stuff! Thanks for putting this video out. You mentioned that in some cases, replacing the movement may be the answer. I have a Seiko 8123-6009 I have had since 1980 (something), and it stopped. The battery made no difference. I'm just getting into "watch hobby repair," and the jeweler is telling me there are no more parts for this watch. Is there another quartz movement that will fit this case, or am I doomed?

[@watchoffthecuff]

Hi Ken! Well doomed is a strong word! Hahaha. Might be very tough though I h. Customer a few weeks ago that had a mechanical Seiko from the same era a 7009 I think and there was absolutely nothing available. Have you seen the quartz troubleshooting video I did? Wondering if it's just a bit jammed? There are devices you can use that listen for the impulse (to let you know if the timing circuit is firing) and another that lets you by-pass this circuit and possibly unjam the gear train! I'm going to grab the link and reply with that as well!

[@watchoffthecuff]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5W7lZV_qMuYbNEsi=rb06IqPZA7Cpu_P5

[@watchoffthecuff]

Oh dear, Now I see that your comment came from the very video I recommend you watch! My bad!

[@watchoffthecuff]

Found a bunch of 8123 movement Seiko watches on eBay.. possibly buy a donor watch and swap the movement?

[@kenfritz9565]

@@watchoffthecuff Colin, Many thanks for the prompt and informative reply. I have found a "donor" (from Morocco, of all places) and will be swapping out the movement soon. I was hoping for some sort of "magic" to make spare parts appear, but I have had no luck. I enjoyed your video and will be watching more! Thanks!

[@taproot381]

This has happened to me for a second time with vintage seiko quartz watches . The watch has a new battery . It will work for about 2 minutes and then stop with the second hand twitching. With the first watch the same thing happened but after I put too much lubricant in ,the watchmaker told me that the movement was dead and it would cost me 80 euro for a new one. I'm very disappointed as this is a recent purchase from eBay and its cost me 12.50 for a new battery. The seller said it was running and keeping good time. I won't be buying seiko vintage quartz again. The first watch by the way was my own and was 30 years old.

[@watchoffthecuff]

Arghh - sorry to hear that! One thing to keep in mind... the hour wheel is kept in place with a wavy washer pressed between the hour wheel and dial. When you change the battery if you press down too hard you can press the dial too close to the movement putting pressure on the hour wheel, which will make the watch stop (sometime right away, sometimes after several minutes or hours). If you decase the movement you can gently separate the dial from the movement a fraction of a millimeter and it will relieve the tension, allowing the watch to work again! Just a suggestion! Cheers, Colin

[@toolzshed]

Are batteries from Ali Express any good?

[@watchoffthecuff]

I don't know! Probably not. I only buy Renata Swiss batteries. It's not worth the chance that the battery seal breaks and leaks if someone accidentally leaves a dead battery in their watch too long, in my opinion.

[@toolzshed]

@@watchoffthecuff true!

[@AnthonyDickinson-i5s]

Surely the turbo does the job of the pulse or am I confused

[@watchoffthecuff]

The Turbo forces the hands around by exciting the driver coil. The Pulse listens for the driver coil to fire during regular operation of the timing circuit so if the hands are not moving you can determine if the watch is running or not, as the watch could not be running or the watch is running but the hands are mechanically stuck! Hope I've explained that better and not worse than the video!!!! Eeeeeek! So, they each perform a very different function, as the Turbo acts upon the watch, while the Pulse only monitors what the watch is doing (or not doing!) Cheers Colin

[@tritan130]

​@watchoffthecuff so if I understand correctly, the pulse works with the battery and turbo works without it?

[@watchoffthecuff]

Yes, the pulse listens to the movement with a battery installed. The turbo can work with or without the battery installed, but usually the battery is installed when you use it as you want to run the turbo then see if the hands get unstuck and start to run normally with the battery driving the hands.

[@lyndamcardle4123]

I've just fitted a new movement and re-installed everything in reverse and still the watch isn't functioning ........🤔

[@watchoffthecuff]

Is the crown pushed in all the way???

[@lyndamcardle4123]

Now you ask.... (yes it is as far as it will go but, doesn't seem to be "right in") but, it's outside of the casing.....should I put it back in the casing to complete the exercise ? The minute and hour hands turn as one would expect...thanks for your response..@@watchoffthecuff

[@watchoffthecuff]

@@lyndamcardle4123 does this movement have a second hand? Does it appear to move at all? If it doesn't have a second hand (so you don't know if the timing circuit is engaged) maybe lift the dial away from the movement? It might be pressing against the hour wheel too tightly?

[@lyndamcardle4123]

Thanks for responding. Has it doesn't have a "second" hand, I specifically bought a movement for two hands (hours & minutes)....I 'll certainly try your suggestion tomorrow and report back for interest to your viewers...thanks.....@@watchoffthecuff

[@watchoffthecuff]

@lyndamcardle4123 Hope you can troubleshoot the issue!!!! Let me know how it goes!!!

[@leonardogalvan6079]

How much a job like this cost??

[@watchoffthecuff]

Hi Leonardo! I hope I can answer your question? A typically battery change is $25 CAD. I perform basic troubleshooting as part of the service - if the watch needs more work I quote a price based on what needs to be done. Does this answer your question? Let me know! Cheers, Colin

[@nainesh1237]

My watch is not working.. It is a cheap SF quartz watch. When i set the correct time in that watch and after that when i check the time a few hours later. The time is not accurate . It probably stops working every few minutes. The battery is perfectly fine.

[@watchoffthecuff]

Like I mention in the video, check the contact points of the battery, hopefully that is the issue! Otherwise you will need some of the tools I use in the video to find and hopefully fix the problem... The Horotec Turbo is probably needed... you could also try manually advancing the time a couple of hundred hours in the hope that it will loosen the gears bit, and stop them from jamming. Cheers, Colin

[@nainesh1237]

@@watchoffthecuff ok thanks ❤