How to Fix A Watch Battery Leak

A watch battery leak can destroy your internal movement. Depending on the damage and extent of the leak you may be able to clean it.

Batteries leaking is a problem caused by alkaline batteries. They leak a corrosive substance called potassium hydroxide. Unfortunately, this is a regular occurrence with batteries used in quartz watches. Specifically, Silver Oxide Cells often leak. The electrolyte used in a Silver Oxide watch battery is highly alkaline and corrosive, and so when a battery leaks inside a watch, it can be catastrophic for the movement.

And in most cases, when a watch leaks and expires, the watch itself is damaged enough to warrant either a full serviced or total replacement. However, not all hope is lost. There are cases where the battery has leaked, and the damage is not severe enough to warrant service of the watch or exchange of movement but rather a simple clean-up! But let’s find out more. 

Dangers of a Watch Battery Leak

We have already said that batteries are highly corrosive. A significant problem with alkaline batteries leaking is that they release potassium hydroxide when they leak, which can prove quite damaging for the watch itself.

As a result, the pressure inside the battery increases. This causes the outer metal canisters to rupture. The electrolyte in a battery is formed by the reaction between carbon dioxide and potassium hydroxide. And this starts causing corrosion inside the watch and sometimes in other areas near the battery. Consequently causing eye irritation and skin irritation. 

Eye Irritation and Skin Irritation Through Watch Battery Leakage

When the potassium carbonate gets absorbed by the carbon dioxide, it forms a thick, crystalline structure that spreads from the battery to the outer parts.

Watch Battery Leak in a Seiko Quartz Movement

Fixing a Watch Battery Leak

If the leak is not severe, you may clean the material from the battery component and internal components. However, always make sure you are wearing protective equipment, including gloves and safety glasses.

Next, throw away the old battery by placing it in a bag before disposing of it. Afterward, analyze the spread of the corrosion. The spread of corrosion depends on the type of contact that the batter has with the watch. It can also prevent a new battery from being powered, making replacing the battery impossible. 

White Vinegar or lemon juice is another solution to help neutralize the leakage. Next, use a cotton swab and dip it in the liquid, gently wipe the corrosion away. If a swap doesn’t work, then use an old toothbrush. When you apply the liquid, the alkaline should begin to fizz. When the fizzing stops, wipe away the remaining corrosion with a dry cloth. 

However, if you do not want to risk damaging your watch further, consider taking it to a professional watchmaker or jeweler. 

Replacing the Battery and Cleaning

When you have a leak you will need to replace the battery and clean the inside of the watch. See the video below…

Prevent A Watch Battery Leak

A leading cause of battery leakage is the pressure which can cause the battery to overheat and explode, which is not ideal. So aside from keeping the watch away from hot places, it is also essential to keep the battery charged appropriately. This can be done by removing the battery once the watch stops working.

Wearing watches with an incorrect water resistance rating can cause their batteries to malfunction as well. The pressure at certain depths can cause a battery problem, and then if water gets in, it’s over.

Other Ways A Watch Battery Can Be Damaged

Water Damage

A solitary drop of water within the watch can influence how it functions. For example, the minuscule pieces of the watch cogwheels will rust when revealed to water and will stop working throughout a brief time frame, to such an extent where the cogwheels and parts won’t be fixed. 

Actual Damage (Impact Damage)

When you utilize your hands every day, some actual harm can be considered typical with watches. This can go from regular exercise in your working environment causing something inside the watch to become free of broken or even the inward wheels or pinion wheels to break during use to inadvertently dropping your watch when you are putting it on or taking it off. When taken to a gem specialist, the watch may be shipped off the producer, contingent upon the degree of the actual harm.

Poor Manufacturing

There are little cogwheels and pieces needed to make the watch tick. However there may be cases where they may not have been set up accurately. The little pieces may get moved around making the watch quit working, so the most straightforward answer would be to go back to the manufacturer. 

To conclude, watch battery leakages can be prevented, but even so, if the watch does leak, it can be resolved before the damage gets worse.

Fixing a Watch Battery Leak – Conclusion

The best way to stop a watch battery leak is to prevent it from occuring. This most often occurs due to pressure changes and temperature changes. Also it is smart to keep a battery charged. I recommend changing the battery every 1-3 years even if it is not reached its end of life. without doing so, you may need more frequent repairs.

If you battery has leaked, cleaing with a neutralizing solution is the best thing to do. If the leak has really penetrated the movement, it may be beyond repair. Even if you clean with a neutralizing solution, you can still introduce new damage to the watch. If your batery has leaked, you should really take it to a professional repair shop to look at it.