Where can I find a battery for my old tuning fork Accutron watch?
The original mercury-based button batteries (cells) for these watches have become obsolete. The sale of mercury cells has been banned by law in some states because of environmental hazards. Major battery manufacturers have discontinued the production of these mercury-based cells. Silver oxide-based watch cells, the type used in most of today’s quartz watches, are available in sizes which can be used as substitutes for the most popular sizes of Accutron mercury cells. There are, however, several important points which must be taken into consideration: A silver oxide-cells is 1.55 volts, compared with a mercury cell’s 1.35 volts. The use of this slightly higher voltage cell will not affect the performance of a correctly adjusted Accutron. If the watch does not operate properly with a 1.55 volt substitute, the fault is either an incorrect adjustment of the movement, or worn parts in the movement. Using a 1.55V cell will not cause any damage to the movement.
