Old military watch

[parsonsdb]

Hey guys, my dad has an old military watch, black face, green band. I think it is really cool and i have always liked the way it looks. My delima is that the battery is dead...I have taken it to 2 different watch shops, both said that they cannot replace the battery, the watch it "too old." I was wondering if anyone has any idea of where to go to get it ticking again. Or if there is a store that sells watches like this?

Thanks.
Parsonsdb

 

[davei]

If it's really old, it may use a mercury battery. Mercury batteries have been banned in North America for years. If you've got the original battery, note the type and do a search on the Internet. Your local Rat Shack can also order the battery type for you if they don't have it in stock - you just have to know the part number or type. Just don't bring the watch in and expect them to find the battery type, though - the salespeople are useless.

Another source (again, if you know the type) is a camera store. Lots of old light meters and cameras used rare mercury batteries, and in some cases, alkaline substitutes have been made.