Question about watch and watch batteries.

In My Humble Opinion
1

I have a Citizen watch that I’ve had since about 2000. I really like it. The last few times I put a battery in it (Eveready) it seems like they go dead pretty quickly, like maybe 3 months. It seems like they used to last much longer but I may be mis-remembering.

Is it more likely that my watch is sucking more juice as it gets older or that batteries are getting worse?

2

If anything, battery technology is getting better. So it’s probably the watch. Maybe a watchmaker could clean it up some.

3

Have you checked the freshness of the battery? I once had a similar issue and after swapping them a few times I realized that the batch I purchased online was old. Maybe you could try a different brand. I’m not sure, but maybe even a different type ( like the difference between lithium batteries and alkaline or something like that, I’m certainly no battery expert).

I’ve got a Seiko Nooka watch that I’ve had for probably ten years and the battery still goes strong. When it dies I’ve got to figure out what’s in it.

4

I’d suspect the watch. If it is the watch, cheaper to get a new watch.

5

If the batteries you tried all came from the same package (or even maybe form the same source), I’d suspect the batteries first.

6

There is huge variability in battery freshness. The general rule is to get batteries at places where the stock is turned constantly. Watch batteries are specialized and can sit for a lot longer than standard batteries. The busier the installer the more likely the battery is fresh. In this case those mall battery change kiosks will probably have the freshest batteries.

Typically a sealed quartz mechanism with the back on will no be subject to that much dirt. Have the watch ever been dunked?

7

Dunked as in submerged in water? Yes, but it’s water resistant. Certainly gets splashed quite often.
I have always bought the batteries and changed them myself. The insides look pretty clean.

8

I told you butter wouldn’t suit the works!

(source)

9

I’ve been told by jewelers that “water resistant” watches aren’t really that resistant after the battery has been changed for the first time. So that could be part of your problem, especially if you’re replacing them yourself, and aren’t taking special care with, or replacing, the water seal gasket.