First of all, it’s important to note, that we are not talking about digital quartz watches. We are talking about quartz watches with analog displays using hour, second, and minute hands.
Quartz watches pretty much dominate the marketplace today because they are both easy to produce, and highly accurate. But how long do quartz watches last? A quartz watch can last up to 30 years or more, assuming it is properly maintained. Of course there are other factors to consider, such as the brand of watch, or the materials it is made from. No two quartz watches are created equal.
For instance, I wouldn’t expect a very cheap bargain bin quartz watch to last as long as one of a more quality build. But even then, it’s not necessarily about the price of the watch. There are going to be cheaper quartz watches that outlive more expensive ones and vice versa.
So now we know how long a quartz watch’s lifespan can be, but what about battery life?
How Long Do Quartz Watches Batteries Last?
In fact, the defining feature that separates a quartz watch from a mechanical one, is the fact that quartz watches use batteries, whereas mechanical watches are powered by a mainspring that is wound up. So how long do quartz watches batteries last? On average, a typical quartz watch battery will last about 3 years before it needs to be replaced.
But once again, this will also depend on the brand, make, and model of a given quartz watch. Some will need replacing every 1 to 2 years, while others boast up to 10 years of battery life!
Now that we have a general idea of how long a quartz watch will last in terms of both battery life, and longevity, the next topic we will get into is how to properly maintain a quartz watch in order to maximize its lifespan.
How to Maintain A Quartz Watch
You can get a longer lifespan out of your quartz watch by following some general maintenance tips.
Avoid Temperature Extremes
It is best not to leave quartz watches in your car during the cold of the winter time, or in the heat of the summer. Extreme temperatures will have an effect on a quartz watch. Even though some are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, they will inevitably have an effect on the watch.
Temperature may effect the accuracy of the watch by either slowing down or speeding up the movements. Some watches have thermocompensation features built in, which work to compensate for varying temperature extremes. But in any event, it’s better to keep them from drastic temperature extremes for prolonged times.
Don’t Leave The Batteries In Them During Storage
If you plan on keeping a quartz watch in storage, and don’t plan on wearing it for a year or more, then you should take the batteries out. Alkaline batteries, which are used in quartz watches, eventually decay and then start to leak. This will damage the components of a watch.
Some people even recommend changing out the batteries every year, but this is not usually necessary. Sometimes, people who have high end, or expensive quartz watches will do this. It won’t hurt anything to change the batteries more often, but in most cases, you don’t really need to.
Avoid Storing Watches In Humid Areas
If you can, when storing a watch for long periods of time, try to avoid keeping it in a location with high humidity. Humidity can cause water and moisture to build up within a watch, and cause damage or corrosion to the movement. Even if a watch is water resistant, that will not necessarily protect it from humidity.
Avoid Getting Your Watch Wet
While it is true that most watches have at least some degree of water resistance, don’t push it! It is still good practice to avoid getting your watch wet as much as possible. The exception to this being dive watches. But even if you do own a diving watch, and frequently dive with it, you should get it serviced at least once every few years to ensure the proper water resistance is maintained.
Avoid Magnetization
This one should be obvious, but keep your watch away from magnets! Exposure to magnetic fields for prolonged periods of time can magnetize the watch movements, rendering them highly inaccurate. It’s not just magnets that can do this but, also the magnetic fields produced certain electronics.
These can include items such as speaker systems, microwave ovens, computers, and tv’s for instance. So it is generally a good idea not to leave your watch near electronics for long periods of time.
Take It To A Professional
This final tip is just part of watch maintenance in general, but your watch should be taken to a certified professional for servicing about once every 8 years or so. There are components inside of quartz watches that need to be maintained, and unless you have the tools and know how to do it yourself, you should take it to someone who can properly do the job.
There are parts that need lubrication, cleaning, inspection for potential damage, and replacement. Also, if you own a diving watch, special care needs to be taken to ensure the proper water resistance levels are maintained. And lastly, sometimes the entire watch movement itself needs to be replaced.
Depending on the watch, you can either send it back to the manufacturer for maintenance, or use a 3rd party. In general, cheaper, less expensive watches are fine if sent to a local 3rd party watch specialist. But for more expensive watches, you would probably want to send it back to the manufacturer for maintenance.
Final Thoughts
Quartz watches are the gold standard of watches today. With proper care and maintenance, you can keep your quartz watch running smoothly for many years to come. I hope that you have enjoyed this article, and that the information here has been useful and informative!
If you want to see more of our informative articles about watches, feel free to check those out here
