zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Hey guys, are you talking about rechargable solar batteries. I also have a Citizen Eco-Drive and its suppose to run forever w/o a battery. All it needs is light. Do I have to replace the battery in 20 years or when the recharge capability is gone?
Thanks for the info...Robert!
Dedicated and loyal SMP owner.

: Don't count on it! Most watches utilizing a
: "regular" battery (non-rechargable
: thru solar power) vary in useful life from
: the usual 1 yr. to 5 yr on the outside. The
: difference is not in the battery generally,
: but in the "drain" imparted to the
: battery by the watch. (similiar to
: "miles per gallon" in a car!)

: The touted "never needing another
: battery" watches uses a special
: rechargeable battery with an extra prong
: welded on to it, so regular batteries can't
: be substituted. (they also make it VERY
: difficult to even get at, and i couldn't
: find a source for a replacement anyway!)

: I do some repairs for Sears, and i've had
: several lower end Elgin watches claiming to
: never need a battery with the solar
: recharging feature that wouldn't
: "hold" a charge after a VERY short
: time. The watch would work if you held it
: right under a light but stop when in normal
: position on the wrist. One watch was only 6
: months old!

: Other than some form of recharging system on a
: watch, the drain imparted is the main
: determinant in how long a fresh battery
: lasts in running a watch. Frankly, i would
: highly recommend people change the battery
: much sooner anyway. Batteries approaching
: full discharge will somtimes leak corrosive
: matter into the movement.......at times
: ruining it! Most namebrand watches have a
: "shelf life" of 5 years from my
: experience. So why chance ruining a higher
: grade quartz watch thru miserly handling of
: the finances. You wouldn't change the oil in
: your car only when it turned to mud after
: 20,000 miles, would you? Still may run,
: after all. So look at it as normal
: "maintenance" on your prized
: watch. A super "expected" 5 year
: battery might better be changed after 3
: years! Why risk a major headache aver a few
: bucks?

: Just my thoughts on it......

: Joe T