We're Moving!

Image
Click for more info.

Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Discussion area for watches, clocks and all other timekeepers.
Post Reply
User avatar
BostonCharlie
MoT Member
Posts: 3256
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 5:26 pm
Location: Texas
Has thanked: 20583 times
Been thanked: 12693 times

Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by BostonCharlie »

The last time I bought watch batteries on Amazon for an old watch, they didn't last long. Maybe the watch was faulty, but I wonder if the batteries were just old. (I bought them from a third party.)

I have an older watch incoming, and it will need a battery. I would like to change it myself. Where is the best place to buy a watch battery?

Thanks.
User avatar
Robotaz
MoT Member
Posts: 2580
Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2018 2:01 pm
Location: Cumberland County, TN
Has thanked: 1232 times
Been thanked: 5871 times

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by Robotaz »

Amazon is a dumping ground for expired junk. They allow it because their profit margin is so big. The liberal return policy makes you feel like you’re getting great customer service when you’re actually a sucker sifting through their junk for something you’ll finally accept.


@robotazky
User avatar
MoT
Site Admin
Posts: 7092
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:27 am
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Has thanked: 13423 times
Been thanked: 30144 times
Contact:

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by MoT »

I buy all my watch batteries at a local home supply/farm and fleet store (Menard's for you fellow Midwesterners). I've never not been able to find what I need, even obscure sizes, and they've all been brand name and work perfectly.

Yes, I end up paying quite a bit more, but I've never been disappointed.
Join us on Discord and interact live with your fellow members (click the icon):

Want to ensure your favorite watch site can keep the lights on? Click here: https://www.patreon.com/motswdf

Your friend in time,
Matt - MoT

Click Icon To Contact Me:


"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." - Ray Bradbury
"Remember no man is a failure who has friends." - Clarence Odbody
User avatar
TheJohnP
Global Moderator
Posts: 11014
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:29 pm
Location: Atlanta
Has thanked: 46865 times
Been thanked: 35260 times

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by TheJohnP »

Their prices can be decent or not great, but Batteries Plus tends to carry whatever odd size battery you happen to need.
You should be able to look up local store inventory on their site, or just easier to call and ask before you head out to a store.
Click Icon To Contact Me



Far and wide I will find 'em and I ride 'em
Bricks and mortar get my licks just for kicks
AD or authorized I don't analyze
Retail, wholesale never fail
Online or offline, I find I don't redefine
Too big to fail or yard sale they all hale
Run or hide just for fun deals I find
User avatar
OvrSteer
New Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2018 4:21 pm
Has thanked: 10 times
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by OvrSteer »

Anyone in the western half of the country, Fry's stocks watch batteries typically with an excellent selection and very fair prices. That can be more convenient than ordering online and waiting for something to show up or being forced to buy a 4-pack or 10-pack or whatever when you really only need 1-2 of some oddball size.
User avatar
BostonCharlie
MoT Member
Posts: 3256
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 5:26 pm
Location: Texas
Has thanked: 20583 times
Been thanked: 12693 times

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by BostonCharlie »

Thank you all for your help.

I discovered that you can use PacParts to find the battery required by a Casio -- just search by model number. For example, I found that my DW-9600 (at PP here) takes a CR2016.

We have a Fry's nearby in Plano and their website says $1.99 for a CR2016 which is the best price I've seen online so far. Their site also shows it in stock at our location -- that's a nice feature. We'll probably check it out this weekend. Fry's is always fun.
User avatar
Bolster
MoT Member
Posts: 140
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:08 pm
Location: Between Phoenix & LA
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 26 times

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by Bolster »

I've not had problems with Amazons batteries, the three times I've ordered, but have read complaints of A's expired batteries. The thing is, I can buy 6 from Amazon for what I pay for one from WalMart...and I don't have to enter Walmart as a big bonus.

I just test voltage with a VOM when they arrive. My plan is to simply return if not spec.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Unrepentant Quartzer
User avatar
rich_in_the_lou
MoT Member
Posts: 303
Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:31 pm
Has thanked: 52 times
Been thanked: 365 times

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by rich_in_the_lou »

[quote from Bolster » Tue Mar 05, 2019 1:10 am] I just test voltage with a VOM when they arrive.[/quote]
Is the unloaded voltage a good indication of the battery's quality?
User avatar
Bolster
MoT Member
Posts: 140
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:08 pm
Location: Between Phoenix & LA
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 26 times

Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by Bolster »

Of a cell's *charge.* Good point, but there's little load from a quartz watch. I'm sure a purpose built tester would do better than my VOM, but it would have to put a minuscule load on, I'd guess.
Last edited by Bolster on Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Unrepentant Quartzer
User avatar
Bolster
MoT Member
Posts: 140
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:08 pm
Location: Between Phoenix & LA
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 26 times

Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by Bolster »

FWIW, on the cell I just replaced, a 1.5V 371 cell, the new (Amazonian) one went in testing at 1.63 V, and the old one that just died came out at 0.75 V. An unloaded voltage test probably isn't definitive, but it is indicative.

IIRC, even for your car's battery (which undergoes ultra high loading), you can get an idea of the battery's health with an unloaded test of V if it's been sitting for awhile.
Unrepentant Quartzer
yinzburgher
MoT Member
Posts: 5191
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:52 pm
Has thanked: 21228 times
Been thanked: 23299 times
Contact:

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by yinzburgher »

I've bought two batteries from the ebay seller watchtimeco and have been pleased both times.

Image

https://www.ebay.com/usr/watchtimeco
Last edited by yinzburgher on Sat Nov 23, 2019 4:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Wolfsatz
MoT Member
Posts: 703
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2019 10:34 am
Location: GMT -5
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 2485 times
Contact:

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by Wolfsatz »

How about battery brands... is Sony better than Maxxel or viceversa?

Are Renata batteries worth the expense of the 'Swiss Made'?
:arrow:... What time is it? :mrgreen:
User avatar
MoT
Site Admin
Posts: 7092
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:27 am
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Has thanked: 13423 times
Been thanked: 30144 times
Contact:

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by MoT »

Wolfsatz wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2019 12:04 pm How about battery brands... is Sony better than Maxxel or viceversa?

Are Renata batteries worth the expense of the 'Swiss Made'?
I've always been of the opinion that if the battery is from a well-known brand, you're probably going to get a good one and there isn't much difference between them.
Join us on Discord and interact live with your fellow members (click the icon):

Want to ensure your favorite watch site can keep the lights on? Click here: https://www.patreon.com/motswdf

Your friend in time,
Matt - MoT

Click Icon To Contact Me:


"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." - Ray Bradbury
"Remember no man is a failure who has friends." - Clarence Odbody
AndyS
MoT Member
Posts: 1274
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 5:55 pm
Has thanked: 1317 times
Been thanked: 4387 times

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by AndyS »

I just buy brand names from Amazon or eBay. I've only had old cells once.

I make it a point to stick to US sellers, mainly for shipping times.
User avatar
BostonCharlie
MoT Member
Posts: 3256
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 5:26 pm
Location: Texas
Has thanked: 20583 times
Been thanked: 12693 times

Re: Best Source for Watch Batteries?

Post by BostonCharlie »

Just a positive report for seller MYBATTERYSUPPLIER (all caps, alas) on Amazon. These 1.55v Renata 371 cells tested 1.58v, and they have a printed exp. date of 04/2021. Everything else being equal, I'd go with Renata since they're the only button cells I've seen so far with printed exp. dates on their packaging :-)
Post Reply