: I stopped buying quartz watches about 6 years ago simply due

: to the fact that they are basically (irregardless of brand)
: throwaway watches when the battery operated movement eventually
: dies. Sounds like yours is still serviceable if a fresh battery
: will keep it running. That's pretty encouraging, in my opinion,
: for a 20 year old quartz movement watch. I'll bet dollars to
: donuts that you can find a watchmaker somewhere fairly local (I
: don't know where you live) to you that could replace the battery
: for way less than $50 plus you might be able to get him/her to
: replace the gasket/seal if they have a compatible one in their
: inventory.

: One of the many reasons so many of us on this forum own automatic
: or manual mechanical watches is because they can last many
: lifetimes if properly serviced/maintained periodically. This
: isn't the case for quartz watches, no matter who manufactures
: them, in my opinion. I think you should reconsider your overall
: condemnation of Tag Heuer, however. Geez, you got twenty years
: service out of a quartz watch. That's pretty good in my book.
: And again, a competent watchmaker may be able to continue
: extending its life, especially if they stock replacement
: gasket/seals. Don't give up yet. And when it does come time to
: buy a new watch, if you want it to last a lifetime, buy a
: mechanical watch. Just be prepared for the expense of having one
: serviced (clean, oil, adjust) every 3 to 5 years or so.

Of course I see your point.
But it always boils down to parts support.
You are able to keep the mechanicals serviced because new parts are available for them
I doubt you are having new gears machined from scratch on your own.
I am able to get my chelsea clock running like new because chelsea is still in business after one hundred years and still makes the same clock and brand new parts for it.
If they go out of business, then I can only service it until everyone's parts dry up and then I will be looking for used parts that are at least not broken.
I have an inexpensive mechanical watch and there are no parts for it; I am buying old watches just for their used parts.
Unless you machine your own parts, or can afford to pay someone to do it, even your rolex is only good as long as they stay in business.
Do all fine Swiss watches have interchangable movement parts?
My Heuer still runs with a battery, but there are no available gaskets.