novelty watch battery question

[Antt3]

Hi all.

I just purchased a number of old novelty digital watches from ebay. They are all from around 1995, and they are still in their packages. They are all basically this type of watch:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390122401042&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WXF%3F&GUID=2421e6c71250a0b58ab4db24ffce28ba&itemid=390122401042&ff4=263602_263622

Anyway, to the question: Since they are still in their packages, that means the batteries they were shipped with have been in the watch for over 14 years in some cases.

Will these watches be functional once I change the batteries, or will the batteries having been left in the watch for that long a time ruined the watches?

At first I thought it was great to have found these watches still in the case, because it would mean they would still work. But then i thought maybe the old batteries might have leaked or corroded the internal working.

I would open them to check myself, but they are a Christmas present, which is why I'm worried.

Thanks for the help!

[bucko170]

Will these watches be functional once I change the batteries, or will the batteries having been left in the watch for that long a time ruined the watches?

The only way to tell is to open them up remove the old batteries and give them a try with new ones. If the batteries have leaked then there is every possibility there will be corrosion to the inside of the watch, sometimes the batteries leak sometimes they don't, it's pot luck I'm afraid. Although I would be quite optimistic, the watches are relatively modern (dating from 1995) and the batteries where quite reliable in the 90s.

[Antt3]

Great! Thanks for the quick reply.

Yeah, I figured it'd be sort of pot luck. I've been dying to just tear them open and try some batteries, but I figure I'll let my girlfriend open them on Christmas and we'll find out then. I got six different ones, so I'm thinking my odds are pretty good that at least *one* will work.

Thanks again.

[bucko170]

but I figure I'll let my girlfriend open them on Christmas and we'll find out then

Good luck! Don't forget to let us know how you got along!

[Antt3]

Sure thing.

I was thinking I's go and buy the replacement batteries ahead of time, just in case we could replace them ourselves on the spot. But if the backs of the watches look too difficult to open (I can't see any of the backs due to the packaging), I might just bring them in to a repair shop.

But I'll be sure to stop in and let you all know. I'll post some pictures of the other watches if I get a chance.

Thanks again.