As a company that handles watch repairs, we here at Times Ticking get the question quite a bit: Can I save my watch battery by pulling the stem? Battery changes are an inconvenient truth of quartz-watch ownership and it’s not unfair to want each button cell to provide the most bang for one’s proverbial buck.
Well, unfortunately, pulling out the stem does not keep the battery from draining. Quartz watch movements still draw power from the battery when the hands aren’t moving. The only exception to this reality is a solar-powered watch—as long as it’s being charged (an important caveat to remember when placing solars in a drawer).
Another aspect of pulling out the stem is its overall impact on watch operations. Things vary case by case, but not running a watch can (though rarely) have negative effects on gear trains. This applies to both quartz and mechanical watches.
With that established, it’s worth having a quick look at how pulling out the stem might affect a watch—beyond the battery.
Does Pulling Out the Stem Save Battery?
Pulling out the stem on quartz watches—or not winding mechanical watches—rarely inflicts damage. Most watchmakers claim that leaving any watch sitting without running for a prolonged period of time will not lead to trouble. However, it is important to remark here that there are times when a watch completely stopping leads to issues—once things are started up again.
The Impact of Lubricants in Mechanical Watches
In traditional watchmaking, mechanical watches have lubricants inside of them to keep the gears from grinding. Depending on the relative age of the lubricants and any temperature variations, not running a mechanical watch can cause the gears to seize—or lose their ability to turn effectively.
Older watches are the ones to be careful with. It’s important to keep them more regularly wound, especially if they haven’t been serviced for a long time.
A good rule of thumb on mechanical watches is to have them serviced at least once a year (depending on use).
How Quartz Watches Age
Quartz watches carry their own unique brand of stopping and starting compared to mechanicals. On quartz, pulling out the stem (as we’ve established) stops the hands but does not stop the movement from taking power from the battery.
As quartz watches age they wear down—like anything with moving parts. The first sign of aging is typically a shorter battery life. Prolonged stops on quartz movements can make it difficult to kickstart a watch as it ages.
Maintenance Tips for Quartz Watches
As a precaution, it’s important to let the watch age without leaving it sitting for too long. Luxury quartz watches will sometimes have lubricant, like mechanicals. This is important to take note of once one purchases a quartz watch.
With most quartz watches, however, the stress of running down the battery without moving the hands can lead to less-than-graceful aging. In short, gears that are left without moving can have trouble starting up again. So, it’s important to have quartz watches maintained frequently. As an example, battery changes performed before the current watch battery dies can be helpful.
General Advice for Keeping Watches in Good Shape
On a final note, leaving a watch stopped will rarely cause problems. To stay on the cautious side, though, some watchmakers/repair people recommend regular upkeep/winding. We here at TimesTicking tend toward the latter—but there’s no need to panic.
Every wristwatch is a little different. Just like cars, planes, trains, and any other type of machine, it’s rare to run into certain kinds of mechanical issues. If a battery dies, or if a mechanical is left unwound, more-often-than-not one will still be in the clear.
Hopefully today’s post has helped to answer the title question and more! We look forward to providing more tips in the future.
FAQ: Saving Battery on Watches – What You Need to Know
1. Does stopping a watch save the battery?
No, stopping a watch does not save the battery. For quartz watches, pulling the stem or pin will stop the hands from moving, but the internal movement continues to draw power, slowly draining the battery.
2. How can I save the watch battery when not in use?
When not using your watch, try these strategies:
- Avoid letting the battery completely drain.
- Store the watch in a cool, dry place to preserve battery health.
3. Does pulling the pin on a watch save the battery?
Unfortunately, pulling the pin on a quartz watch does not stop the battery from draining. While it pauses the hands, the watch’s internal components continue to run, still using power.
4. Should I stop my watch when it’s not in use?
It’s generally unnecessary to stop a quartz or mechanical watch when not in use. However, if it’s a smartwatch, enabling power mode or pressing the digital crown to activate battery-saving settings might help. For traditional watches, regular maintenance helps maintain good battery health and performance.
5. Why do quartz watches drain the battery even when not in use?
Quartz watches run on a small battery-powered movement, which continues to draw power even if the hands are stopped. It’s recommended to change the battery before it fully drains to avoid performance issues as the watch ages.
6. Why does my watch drain its battery so fast?
Fast battery drain can occur for several reasons: On a quartz watch: If the watch is old or hasn’t had a recent battery change, internal wear and tear may cause faster drainage.
7. What is the best way to store a watch to preserve battery?
If you’re not using your watch for an extended period, it’s best to move the hands slightly every now and then to avoid internal gear issues. Store watches away from extreme temperatures to maintain optimal battery health.
By following these tips, you can ensure your watch stays in good shape and maintains strong battery performance!
About Times Ticking
Times Ticking has been in operation for more than 30 years, since 1982. We have performed watch repair for customers both locally and internationally. If it Ticks! We KNOW it! Our team of watch repair technicians have a combined experience in watchmaking of over 120 years.
