Info battery for Otron solartime

[simone]

After 3 years the cell of my otron solartime die....the cell inside was an energizer 391.I have one question for the expert: i must install a recheargeble cell (if still exist) or a simple battery like the old one?
Sorry for this question but i'm doubt.....
With many watches i change battery at the speed of light....

[bucko170]

I have the alfatronic watch photographed below which as you can see has a small window containing a solar panel, when I purchased the watch it arrived without batteries, I did not want to install incorrect batteries and asked the experts the same question, I was told that normal (non-rechargeable) batteries would be OK to use with this watch as the power generated from the solar cells was negligible and would not be enough to cause any damage to the cells, unfortunately when tested the watch did not work and it was sent off for repair, during the repair the connecting wire to the solar panel was snipped off (it made it easier to repair and was not needed) I have no reason to doubt what I was told but because the connection was severed I have not been able to conduct a long term test.

If the watch was previously working with a normal battery without any problems I would guess that it would be OK to continue to use in the same way - what we need is some clever members to come along and verify this - hopefully this little bump might bring it to their attention.

[simone]

My Otron works also without battery....best result was with the direct sunlight. The artificial light seems not be enough...
There's only one question: How long this watch must be exposed on the sunlight??
Anyway now i put in a cell in order to use it....the winter here is hard (fog,rain,snow) and no sun appear