When Batteries Go BAD! Repairing Leaked Battery Corrosion: 1970s National Semiconductor LED Watch

[@mokumholland5640]

It’s still a cool looking watch, Mike!

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks Tom! I found someone on eBay selling the exact electronic module, factory-fresh for $70. While is a cool watch, I'm not sure it is $85 worth of cool! 😂

[@IMakeWatches]

Classic Calatrava-style LED! And National Semiconductor to boot! I couldn't see where the chip is. It looks like there may be two PCBs stacked and if so I assume it's under a plastic blob on the back of the display PCB. I really like that watch! Much nicer design than my Swiss "Intertronic"! What a nice relic of our Radio Shack days!

[@WatchWithMike]

Hi Dayton! You know, I wondered where the logic chip was, and there is so much real estate around the display that I think your theory is a good one! I think this watch spoke to me because I liked the classic design of the case. There are many LED watches of this time that look like spaceships. 🚀 I like the "classic Calatrava-style" description. 😎

[@kirillslov]

Hi, Mike! I find it really cool that we still call the movement the movement even if there are no moving parts inside😊 As for demagnitizing (I wrote about it previously) - now that I have disassembled and serviced the watch that was demagnetized while running and stuck, it really turned out that some gunk squeezed between the moving teeth of the wheels and stopped them completely. The movement wasn't damaged and is running fine. But it is still interesting that such things do happen. Thanks for another great video!

[@WatchWithMike]

It takes so little to stop a watch! I'm glad you found it! Yes, it is ironic to call a solid state device a movement! 🤣

[@godscountry6473]

Very interesting video. A few days ago, I located my digital Timeband watch with the same red display you showed in this video. If I remember correctly, it was gifted to me in Christmas 1976 when I was in 7th grade. I remember how cool I felt wearing such a futuristic watch. They were popular, as I recall other kids wearing them as well. My question is what type of batteries go in it? When I opened the back, the batteries were gone, which is good after seeing what the batteries did to your watch.

[@WatchWithMike]

Very cool that you still have the watch you received in 1976! These batteries are LR43, which are still readily available. Good luck getting yours running and thanks for watching! 😁

[@johanvandersandt8904]

I have had this in watches and torches. Its a heck of a mess. Vinegar works great! Its quite an unusual design but then again it would be as at the time it was ground breaking. The pure happiness in your voice when it lit up! Fantastic! Its very cool Mike! Too bad it could not be fixed! Hope you have a great week!

[@WatchWithMike]

Yeah, I laughed when I played back the video - I really was excited it lit up! I was sad it was glitchy when I finished it. I might take another pass at fixing it - it's probably a short, which might be fixable. Someone on eBay is selling the same electronic module, new old stock. But he wants $60 US plus shipping, so I don't know if I'm feeling it. 😉

[@MiguelBricaBrac]

I got a Phasar 2000 from Sears, and after cleaning the module all worked correctly, so I restored the case, crystal, bracelet, the works. But when I put the module back in, the watch kept reseting to 01:00. It is frustrating, but at least I now know I am not the only one who goes through all the hard work only for the watch to stop working. Great effort and great work.

[@WatchWithMike]

Nope, you're not the only one!

[@whufcgank6124]

Glad I found this video! I have what appears to be a copy of this model, made by Beta. It belonged to my grandfather so has some sentimental value and I’ll follow your instructions to see if I can get it back to life, replacing the batteries did nothing but now I’ve seen your video I can identify some battery damage. Thank you!

[@WatchWithMike]

@@whufcgank6124 Awesome! Good luck with your grandfather's watch!

[@angelramos-2005]

Great video,Mike.Hard to believe what very toxic cupric oxide can do to a watch.Thank you.

[@WatchWithMike]

Hi Angel, yes, my heart sank when I got a good look into the watch. But it was fun to clean! 😁

[@WristwatchMedic1953]

You did a great job on the watch. The first time i saw one like that in 1970 i was amazed. Pretty cool. Thanks Mike

[@WatchWithMike]

@WristwatchMedic1953 - Thanks! I remember the first one I saw - it was at Macy's department store. I agree, it was amazing! 😎

[@javiercacho4790]

Great job. I didn't bet a dollar at the beginning to make it back to life but you did a great job. Congratulations

[@WatchWithMike]

@javiercacho4790 - Thank you! I didn't know what to expect...I think I was most curious because the watch said 'Swiss Made' on the case back, and I didn't recognize the logo on the front. It was a complete mystery - and I'm glad I was able to make it light up!

[@jonnieinbangkok]

This watch reminds me of my first Texas Instruments digital LED watch from the late 1970s...I was in Jr. High at the time. Those were good times!

[@WatchWithMike]

@@jonnieinbangkok Good Times indeed! 😁

[@Antiqueexcavator]

I just picked up a vintage Hamilton LED. I ordered the correct replacement batteries that should arrive this week. I’ll be using your tips to clean it and polish it up. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can revive it!!

[@WatchWithMike]

So is it alive? 😁

[@christophermoody2543]

Hi Mike my name is Chris and in the last two years I have been watchmaking as a hobby I get a lot of joy fixing cheep watches sometimes I can't but your channel means we can have fun learning and that's what it's all about God bless

[@WatchWithMike]

Hi Chris, thanks for your uplifting comment! 😁

[@aliwho]

Hi so wot happened to the lug that broke off?

[@WatchWithMike]

If you mean the battery contact that broke, I did not do anything to repair it. The battery still made contact.

[@markthomas741]

Great looking watch and interesting refurb!

[@WatchWithMike]

@@markthomas741 Thanks Mark! 😁

[@edawriter]

I grabbed some calculators after TI bought National, but passed on the watches. Everything was removed, including some great lithograph artwork, which I got and still have on our living room walls. CEO Charlie Sporck opened assembly and test factories, first in Singapore and then Malaysia, so I'm not surprised the watch was assembled there. National was called "the animals of Silicon Valley," for their aggressive pricing. They had some brilliant analog engineers whose ICs are still sold today by the millions! The watch business was a distraction, and they were quickly driven out of business by Asian watch companies. Great restoration.

[@WatchWithMike]

Wow, what great backstory! That's really cool that you have some unique souvenirs 😎

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

Great vid Mike. I only work on mechanical watches, but learned a lot, especially around the battery corrosion. Who knows, maybe I'll have the confidence to try my hand at one now! And yes, I've had a lot of "Oh F...un" with watches moments myself! 😂 That crystal looks incredible.

[@WatchWithMike]

@VillageWatchRestoration - Thanks! I find these vintage electronic watches nostalgic, since I was a kid when they were being released. I appreciate the kind words!

[@John-FourteenSix]

Hi Mike. I have a 1970’s “Quartus” LED watch that was left to me by my late uncle. I’d love to restore it and get it working again. Fortunately I removed the battery some time ago. Many thanks from the UK.

[@WatchWithMike]

I love hearing stories like this… Good luck on your inherited watch! 😁

[@danreeve72]

Incredible work man ,wow.👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@WatchWithMike]

@@danreeve72 Wow, five stars! Thanks for the enthusiasm! 😁

[@robertjordan7323]

I'm in the same boat as you Mike. I bought a 1980s quartz and found that the battery leaked when I opened it. Still trying to get it to work.

[@WatchWithMike]

Hopefully the damage is superficial! It's always a risk when you get a watch with a battery… 😁

[@Daud76]

I think the dread of any watch restorer is battery leakage as it usually is not easy to fix unless you happen to source donor parts or be prepared to make a part if no where to be found.

[@WatchWithMike]

One of the worst feelings is opening a watch back and seeing bad batteries. This was a really bad example, so I am not as afraid after cleaning this one.

[@Daud76]

@@WatchWithMike I know the feeling well. On my Casio CA-901, I opened the watch and immediately got a bad smell of acid. I was dreading the circuit was damaged, but luckily battery acid crystals were only on the surface and cleaned off without any protest. Thank goodness this is not an issue with the more vintage mechanical and automatics. 😄

[@WatchWithMike]

@@Daud76 oh my! I don't think I've ever opened to watch where you could smell the corrosion!

[@Daud76]

@@WatchWithMike It is a really bad smell of something like sulphur and acid. Your nose will not mistake it for anything else.

[@WatchWithMike]

@@Daud76 👃🏻💨

[@JohnValencia70]

Wow, incredible

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks John, it was a fun project!

[@MrDavidoff36]

Wowwwwwww. Good job. Fantastic.

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks! 😁

[@radar98]

De-oxit spray?

[@WatchWithMike]

@@radar98 I have never tried it. Worth looking into!

[@marcholbeck3286]

Replace the quartz oscillator.They were notoriously unreliable on NS watches in particular and are easy to change on these modules. just remove the plastic surround but be careful not to damage the wire bonds or snap off the brass contacts which are also quite flimsy. These bonds may have a protector over them but not all NS modules did and they are very easily damaged. Also there may be some traces of corrosion which you cannot see without removing the plastic carrier.

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks for the tips! I will check. 👍🏼

[@jowettcars]

Hi Mike I have found that toothpaste and or Brasso is far more efficient than Polywatch (and far cheaper)

[@WatchWithMike]

I've had no luck with toothpaste, and have never tried Brasso on acrylic. But I love what it does for brass and other metals! Maybe it's worth a try…

[@NaNByZero]

Some of those brands produce not batteries but badderies. I have good experiences with Renata (20 years without corrosion). Do you have a favorite brand? 🕐⚙️🍸

[@WatchWithMike]

'Badderies' I love it! I've been buying Renata, Eveready, Panasonic and Maxell. I suppose I don't have a favorite. If something lasts a long time and the batteries haven't exploded, then I replace with the same brand. I DESPISE Duracell! They have leaked and destroyed so many remote controls, flashlights, etc.

[@NaNByZero]

@@WatchWithMike good to know. Man, I made a big mistake. I ordered a bunch of Duracell batteries of different types lately. Never did that before. So I will have to have an eye on them. 🧐

[@ElderPinto254]

sticker on the back pls remove batery before you throw in draw thank you joking nice one and great that brought it back

[@WatchWithMike]

Yes, I should get stickers printed and go door to door... Actually I'm guilty of letting batteries go dead in my old quartz watches. When a watch would go dead, I'd buy a new watch. 😁

[@ElderPinto254]

maybe i am quilty to @@WatchWithMike

[@coyotecarguy2076]

Omg! First again 😮😮

[@WatchWithMike]

Yes you are! 😁

[@mokumholland5640]

Did you just say the F word at 13:01 minutes….???? 😳

[@WatchWithMike]

"FUN"

[@mokumholland5640]

@@WatchWithMike 🤣