What causes quartz watch to run few hours then stop with new batteries?

[wee-meng lee]

Hi,

My father-in-law has a very old Seiko quartz watch, probably 20 yrs old,
which has been running fine all these years. He recently changed the
batteries and it now runs for a few hours then stops.

After pulling out the stem for a while to set the time, it would run for
another couple of hours then stop.

What causes this kind of behaviour? I understand that for quartz watches,
there are no lubrication issues unlike mechanical watches.

Thx
weemeng

[dAz]

Post by wee-meng lee
After pulling out the stem for a while to set the time, it would run for
another couple of hours then stop.
What causes this kind of behaviour? I understand that for quartz watches,
there are no lubrication issues unlike mechanical watches.

well it more likely to be some dirt has got in, but the oil can still
get old and gum up the movement, quartz doesn't have wear issues like a
mechanical but it doesn't mean you should ignore the service intervals.

just get it serviced by a reliable watchmaker, its well past due for one.

[Revision]

"dAz"

Post by dAz

Post by wee-meng lee
What causes this kind of behaviour?

well it more likely to be some dirt

Yes just clean by a watchmaker and it should be okay. There is some
chance that after 20 years it is time to replace the quartz movement, but
again, I think a cleaning is all that it needs.

[dAz]

Post by Revision
"dAz"

Post by dAz

Post by wee-meng lee
What causes this kind of behaviour?

well it more likely to be some dirt

Yes just clean by a watchmaker and it should be okay. There is some
chance that after 20 years it is time to replace the quartz movement, but
again, I think a cleaning is all that it needs.

at 20years its more than likely the movement is obsolete, but hopefully
its one of the all metal earlier Seiko movements which are quite
serviceable, so long as the battery hasn't leaked and damaged the circuit

[Jack Denver]

Most likely some dirt fell into the movement when the battery was changed.
Cleaning it would most likely fix it, but the cost of the cleaning may be
more than the watch is worth. I'd try blasting the thing with a can of air
duster to see if you can blow back out whatever blew in and if that didn't
work, it's probably time for a new watch (assuming the old one doesn't have
some special sentimental or economic value).

Post by wee-meng lee
Hi,
My father-in-law has a very old Seiko quartz watch, probably 20 yrs old,
which has been running fine all these years. He recently changed the
batteries and it now runs for a few hours then stops.
After pulling out the stem for a while to set the time, it would run for
another couple of hours then stop.
What causes this kind of behaviour? I understand that for quartz watches,
there are no lubrication issues unlike mechanical watches.
Thx
weemeng

[dAz]

Post by Jack Denver
Most likely some dirt fell into the movement when the battery was changed.
Cleaning it would most likely fix it, but the cost of the cleaning may be
more than the watch is worth. I'd try blasting the thing with a can of air
duster to see if you can blow back out whatever blew in and if that didn't
work, it's probably time for a new watch (assuming the old one doesn't have
some special sentimental or economic value).

I don't advise to open the case, those earlier quartz movements often
have an exposed coil, just brushing your finger across it is enough to
damage the fine wires.

all I can suggest to the OP is to take it to a watchmaker and let them
have a look at it, if its an older Seiko metal movement in good
condition and the case is still in good condition then it may be worth
to have a straight service done provided its not expensive.

if on the other hand the watchmaker says its too old, obsolete, no parts
available, then put it back in the drawer and buy a new watch.