Batteries Used by different brands
Batteries for military watches can be a major headache to everyone because some manufacturers change movements from time to time. We have compiled some information based on correspondence with other enthusiasts and also from our own experience as collectors of military watches so it should be quite straightforward to determine which battery is needed and of course you also need to factor in that when you take the old battery out it should have a number which can be cross referenced to multiple other brands.
Whilst this list is fairly comprehensive any help or assistance to add watches or correct any details or omissions would be a great help to everyone. If you wish to add anything please contact us.
We are often asked about the life of various watch batteries, it has to be factored in that if we look at one of the early quartz military watches such as the CWC Fatboy from 1980 the battery life was quite short often only around 12/18 months hence the battery hatch which interestingly is still retained on some CWC and MWC models but frankly with a battery life these days of around 60 months it's really just a historical anachronism although it's quite clear that it's still very popular with large numbers of buyers due to the fact those manufacturers continue to produce them. CWC are making a remake of this 1980 model which is now up to modern standards of battery life although it's a nice watch and does look very close to the original. The battery life of some modern watch movements is now 10 years which is exceptional compared to what was achievable in the past, even movements like the Ronda 705/715 which use silver oxide batteries are now able to achieve 60 months. The most important thing to keep in mind with any watch regardless of whether it's a military specification timepiece or just a normal civilian watch is that batteries can unfortunately fail at any time and many manufacturers find that around 5% to 10% of the batteries can fail during the period of the warranty, of course much depends on the battery life itself, clearly a 10 year battery will be much less likely to fail during a two-year warranty than a three-year battery. The main factor is that the cost of replacing the battery is so low it's not likely to be a concern to most people and many of the people we know who use these types of watches simply replace the battery every 18 months just to be on the safe side. Something else to keep in mind is that there are a lot of watches which use a kinetic or solar movements and many people consider that this will mean the batteries never have to be replaced, unfortunately it doesn't really work out like because the power cells often fail within six or seven years (even less if the watch is not used) though sometimes they last for longer, nevertheless they offered no advantage over long life batteries and just like a battery the power cell can fail at any time and is more expensive than a conventional battery to replace. Some of the new Power cells/capacitors for kinetic watches are lithium ion and theoretically could last as long as 10 or 20 years but only time will tell. When they have a full charge they will run for about three months, the primary problem is if they become discharged which was a major problem with military watches because some militaries bought them with a view to keeping them in storage and then issuing them as in when required only to find the capacitor would not charge, theoretically if the watch is being worn on a daily basis or even a couple of times a week it would be fine but if it's kept in a drawer for four or five months and is one of a collection of watches there could be a lot of problems with regular replacements of the power cell/capacitor. One other factor which is extremely important to keep in mind is that the balance wheel which charges the capacitor is much heavier than on a normal automatic watch this means that you can't even put the watches on the watch winder if they're not being worn so there are significant limitations in the suitability for certain owners.
It has to be said that some manufacturers seem to have a lot more battery problems than others, according to our watchmaker but our suspicion is they are not using battery savers on the crowns prior to sale, with watches which have a very long battery life nobody would tend to bother with the battery saver because if for example a watch has a 10 year battery life the likelihood is it would be sold within two or three years manufacture so it's still going to be good for probably seven for eight years, nevertheless all manufacturers exclude the battery from the warranty but in our experience most are more than happy to arrange a replacement if it falls within the first six months or so. If you balance batteries against automatic movements it is obviously a lot cheaper to simply replace the battery periodically than it is to overhaul an automatic movement every four or five years hence many people tend to prefer to watch with a long life battery rather than an automatic but it's all a question of personal preferences with some buyers disliking automatics full stop and others buying nothing but automatics.
CWC - CABOT WATCH COMPANY
CWC G10 (all but the 1980/82 Fatboy case and current G10 GS with Sapphire Crystal) - SR920SW or SR927SW (371 or 395)
CWC 1982 Falklands Era G10 issue runs on the same 386 as the CWC Fatboy case.
We are informed some watches from this period use a 344 battery. It is easy to tell because the 386 is 4.2 mm high compared with 3.6 mm for the 344. However the hatch springs should hold the 344 OK so no problems if you slip up.
(Note: We were contacted by a collector who advised that he had only seen an ETA 555.112 in one of his CWC G10's, he said he had also seen this movement fitted to the 84 Precista issued to the RAF. His opinion is that the early production CWC 1984 retained the same movement and design in most cases as the 1983. The design then changed to a slightly thinner case body fitted with an ETA 555.412 movement, initially with a large centre line battery hatch but this was later replaced by a small hatch; he has examples of all four of these 1984 design types. The 85 issue he said uses an ETA 555.115 and between 87 to 90 its the 955.114 movement, from 91 it changes again to the 955.102. This collector seems to know the watch inside our so I felt it wise to add this although it seems there is a lot of confusion with this watch) he added some notes regarding various watches which are below.
CWC 23249/83 & 28249/84 - ESA 947.121
CWC 32234/84, 33766/84 & 38437/84 - eta 555.412 (two different back plate designs)
CWC Diver's models - SR920SW or SR927SW (371 or 395)
CWC Batteries: The Information below might also be helpful and was emailed to be by a CWC collector
1979 to 1982 First pattern. Easy to identify quite rate and No oval logo on the dial. 13mm thick, crystal to caseback. AS/ESA 536.121 movement, no jewels. 386 battery. Battery hatch on centre line.
1982: Second pattern. Logo has oval. Everything else same as first pattern.
1983: Third pattern, variant A. Logo has oval. 11.8mm thick, crystal to caseback. ESA 947.121 movement, seven jewels. 386 battery. Battery hatch offset.
1984, 1985: Fourth pattern, variant B. Same as variant A except movement is ETA 555.112 (marked Marinium), battery is 394 and battery hatch is on centre line.
1987 on: Fifth pattern. Logo has oval. 10.2mm thick, crystal to caseback. ETA/ESA 955.114 movement (and other equivalents), seven jewels. 395 battery. Battery hatch on centre line.
2000 on: Sixth Pattern. GS2000 Ronda 715li Movement which uses a CR2016 lithium battery. Cross reference to: 280-202, 280-204, 280-206, BR2016, CR2016, CR2016C, DL2016, FA, SB-T11 (this is some uncertainty regarding this model with some owners saying that the movement uses an ETA and others saying 715li which I am advised is in my watch so any clarification would be welcome and helpful to visitors to this site.
CWC GS SAPPHIRE - 2016 onwards:
These watches are fitted with a high performance Ronda 715li movement which uses a CR2016 lithium battery. Cross reference to: 280-202, 280-204, 280-206, BR2016, CR2016, CR2016C, DL2016, FA, SB-T11
CWC (North America)
G10: This watch is totally different to the CWC in Europe and is made by a separate company, it uses a Ronda 705 movement which requires a 371 Watch Battery. Details of options follow: 1.55 volts, SILVER, 32 mAh, Height: 2.1 mm, Diameter: 9.5, Weight: 0.61 grams, Cross reference to: Duracell - D 371, Timex - N/A, Bulova - 605, Panasonic, Maxell, Sony, Toshiba - SR 920 SW, Renata - R 371/30, Seiko - SB-AN, Citizen - 280-31, Ray-O-Vac - RW 315, IEC - SR 69
MARATHON
Marathon Navigators and TSARs - (with ISA 1198 movement) - SR927SW (395) Cross Reference to: Toshiba SR927SW, Varta V395, Duracell D395, Philips 395, Rayovac 395, V395, D395, S926E, 610, LA, 280-48, SB-AP, SB-DP, SR57, D399, 399, SP395, SR57L, SR927, SR927W, TR927W, 523, 613, SP395, S28, 1162SO
Marathon TSAR, etc (with ETA F06.111) - SR920SW or SR927SW (371 or 395)
MWC / Military Watch Company
MWC G10 50m Battery Hatch Models all use Ronda 705 movements which require a 371 Watch Battery. Details of options follow: 1.55 volts, SILVER, 32 mAh, Height: 2.1 mm, Diameter: 9.5, Weight: 0.61 grams, Cross reference to: Duracell - D 371, Timex - N/A, Bulova - 605, Panasonic, Maxell, Sony, Toshiba - SR 920 SW, Renata - R 371/30, Seiko - SB-AN, Citizen - 280-31, Ray-O-Vac - RW 315, IEC - SR 69
MWC 100M Range 10 Year Battery and Ronda 715li Movement
MWC G10 100m and 300m Models with screw crown and caseback: These watches are fitted with a high performance Ronda 715li movement which uses a CR2016 lithium battery. Cross reference to: 280-202, 280-204, 280-206, BR2016, CR2016, CR2016C, DL2016, FA, SB-T11
Current MWC Hybrid Mechanical / Quartz Models A-11 / A-17 / GG-W-113 / DD/01/VH60 / SM/AV/1 and SM/AV/2 / CLA/UNB/W10 and W10 Hybrid models: MWC make variants of some of their automatic models with a Hybrid movement. One fortunate thing they all have in common (excluding the chronographs) regardless of the exact movement type is that all use the same battery which is a SR920SW or SR927SW (371 or 395).
MWC G10 EVO Digital /Analogue dual time Chronographs. These 2010-2012 made models are quite complex by the standard of most military watches with two separate movements and a use SR626SW in the analogue movement for which the alternative options are Energizer 377, SR626SW, SR66, SR626, SB-AW, 280-39, BA, V377, D377, 606, S626E, GP377, AG4, AG-4, 377, L626, SG4, LR626, LR66, SR628SW, E377, E377CA, LR626SW, 377A, SR262SW, 377X, 377S, GP177, SR6265W, 377/376, E377A, SR66SW, SR625SW and377BA. The Digital movement uses a CR2016 lithium battery. Alternatives are 280-202, 280-204, 280-206, BR2016, CR2016, CR2016C, DL2016, FA, SB-T11. Although the CR2016 is a very long life movement we recommend replacing both batteries if you do not have watchmaking skills.
MWC MKI, MKII, MKIII and MKIV Chronographs: Toshiba SR927SW, Varta V395, Duracell D395, Philips 395, Rayovac 395, V395, D395, S926E, 610, LA, 280-48, SB-AP, SB-DP, SR57, D399, 399, SP395, SR57L, SR927, SR927W, TR927W, 523, 613, SP395, S28, 1162SO
MWC Hybrid Chronograph Models use a SR936SW, SR936, SB-A4, 280-17, V394, D394, 625, 394, GP394, AG9, AG-9, 394, SG9, L936, LR936, SR45, RW33, 394A, 394X, SR9365W, E394,
MWC divers models up to 2011 all used Ronda 715 movements, and the battery size is No. 371. Details of options follow: 1.55 volts, SILVER, 32 mAh, Height: 2.1 mm, Diameter: 9.5, Weight: 0.61 grams, Cross reference to: Duracell - D 371, Timex - N/A, Bulova - 605, Panasonic, Maxell, Sony, Toshiba - SR 920 SW, Renata - R 371/30, Seiko - SB-AN, Citizen - 280-31, Ray-O-Vac - RW 315, IEC - SR 69
MWC divers models from 2011 (best to check though if unsure) were fitted with the high performance Ronda 715li movement which uses a 10 year CR2016 lithium battery. Cross reference to: 280-202, 280-204, 280-206, BR2016, CR2016, CR2016C, DL2016, FA, SB-T11
Please Note: A few MWC divers watches also use an ETA quartz movement although most are pre 2001 but it is worth keeping in mind and it might be worth checking if in doubt.
MWC Vietnam watch (metal or plastic) uses battery size is SR626SW the alternatives are Energizer 377 Battery which is also a replacement for equivalent batteries: SR626SW, SR66, SR626, SB-AW, 280-39, BA, V377, D377, 606, S626E, GP377, AG4, AG-4, 377, L626, SG4, LR626, LR66, SR628SW, E377, E377CA, LR626SW, 377A, SR262SW, 377X, 377S, GP177, SR6265W, 377/376, E377A, SR66SW, SR625SW, 377BA,
MWC G10A, G10 A/B, G10 A/S and old G10 ZA base models made from 2001-2007:
364 batteries, 1.55 volts, SILVER, 20 mAh, Height: 2.15 mm, Diameter: 6.8, Weight: 0.33 grams, Cross reference to: Duracell - D 364, Timex - T, Bulova - 602, Panasonic, Maxell, Sony, Toshiba - SR 621 SW, Renata - R 364/31, Seiko - SB-AG/DG, Citizen - 280-34, Ray-O-Vac - RW 320, IEC - SR 60
MWC G10LM, the G10 LM models from 2011 to current production use an Energizer 377 Battery which is also a replacement for equivalent batteries: SR626SW, SR66, SR626, SB-AW, 280-39, BA, V377, D377, 606, S626E, GP377, AG4, AG-4, 377, L626, SG4, LR626, LR66, SR628SW, E377, E377CA, LR626SW, 377A, SR262SW, 377X, 377S, GP177, SR6265W, 377/376, E377A, SR66SW, SR625SW, 377BA, CR626SW
MWC P656D Series (quartz variants) and Navigator models all use a high performance Ronda 715li movement which uses a CR2016 lithium battery. Cross reference to: 280-202, 280-204, 280-206, BR2016, CR2016, CR2016C, DL2016, FA, SB-T11
MWC 3 Hand Hybrid Models use a 371 Battery alternatives are - SR920SW, SR69, SR921, SB-AN, 280-31, V371, D371, 605, S921E, GP371, AG6, AG-6, 371, CX921, SR290SW, 371, SR69, SG6, LR921, LR920SW, L921, 371A, 371X
MWC Hybrid Chronographs use a 394 Battery alternatives are - SR936SW. The 394 Battery is also a replacement for equivalent batteries: SR936SW, SR936, SB-A4, 280-17, V394, D394, 625, 394, GP394, AG9, AG-9, 394, SG9, L936, LR936, SR45, RW33, 394A, 394X, SR9365W, E394
PRECISTA
Precista G10 - SR927SW (395) - Cross Reference to: Toshiba SR927SW, Varta V395, Duracell D395, Philips 395, Rayovac 395, V395, D395, S926E, 610, LA, 280-48, SB-AP, SB-DP, SR57, D399, 399, SP395, SR57L, SR927, SR927W, TR927W, 523, 613, SP395, S28, 1162SO
Precista G10 100m 2009 onwards from Time Factors: These watches are fitted with a high performance Ronda 715li movement which uses a CR2016 lithium battery. Cross reference to: 280-202, 280-204, 280-206, BR2016, CR2016, CR2016C, DL2016, FA, SB-T11
Precista Diver's (6645-99-757-3314) - SR927SW (395) - Cross Reference to: Toshiba SR927SW, Varta V395, Duracell D395, Philips 395, Rayovac 395, V395, D395, S926E, 610, LA, 280-48, SB-AP, SB-DP, SR57, D399, 399, SP395, SR57L, SR927, SR927W, TR927W, 523, 613, SP395, S28, 1162SO
Precista Diver's (6645-99-426-0190 and 6645-99-891-0585 only) - CR2016 Cross reference to: 280-202, 280-204, 280-206, BR2016, CR2016, CR2016C, DL2016, FA, SB-T11
Pulsar G10 - SR920SW (371)
RAF Seiko Gen 1 and Gen 2 Chronographs - Sony SR927W or SR927SW (399 or 395)
Sandy 590 runs on a 371 Battery AS32 Movement - Military Watches fitted with the AS32 (Solar movement) can be very confusing because Seiko, Citizen and Pulsar use various different codes for the same movement. This movement often crops up in Citizen and Pulsar watches such as the Pulsar PX3037 b but other military brands such as MWC and several others use them too. The part number for the capacitor 302624T cross references to Citizen Capacitor 295.37 (MT621 is also the same) most good watchmakers will figure this out or take the details directly from the capacitor itself. The other complication is that there are various brands of the capacitor itself for example the one below is Panasonic.
TRASER
Traser P6500 models also MWC, Luminox (Ronda 515 Movement) SR927SW (395)
Traser P6502 (Ronda 715) SR927SW (395)
Traser or MWC Military Version (12/24 dial) P6506 (Ronda 715li movt) CR2016 lithium battery. Cross reference to: 280-202, 280-204, 280-206, BR2016, CR2016, CR2016C, DL2016, FA, SB-T11
MILITARY INDUSTRIES USA
Quartz Divers Watches: All Military Industries (sometimes referred to as MIL and older models have MIL on the dial) quartz divers watches are fitted with the Ronda 715li movement which uses a CR2016 lithium battery. Cross reference to: 280-202, 280-204, 280-206, BR2016, CR2016, CR2016C, DL2016, FA, SB-T11
Military Industries Vietnam watches use battery size is SR626SW the alternatives are Energizer 377 Battery which is also a replacement for equivalent batteries: SR626SW, SR66, SR626, SB-AW, 280-39, BA, V377, D377, 606, S626E, GP377, AG4, AG-4, 377, L626, SG4, LR626, LR66, SR628SW, E377, E377CA, LR626SW, 377A, SR262SW, 377X, 377S, GP177, SR6265W, 377/376, E377A, SR66SW, SR625SW, 377BA
Military Industries General Service G10 Battery Hatch watches use battery size 371. Details of alternatives are: 1.55 volts, SILVER, 32 mAh, Height: 2.1 mm, Diameter: 9.5, Weight: 0.61 grams, Cross reference to: Duracell - D 371, Timex - N/A, Bulova - 605, Panasonic, Maxell, Sony, Toshiba - SR 920 SW, Renata - R 371/30, Seiko - SB-AN, Citizen - 280-31, Ray-O-Vac - RW 315, IEC - SR 69
W10 Hybrid models: Military Industries make a W10 Hybrid model which uses a SR920SW or SR927SW (371 or 395) battery.
