Quartz Ronda 515 Battery Change

[Ole]

Hi.  I am comfortably at a level of changing watch batteries for my son, who owns quartz watches.  I replaced the battery (Renata 371) on my son's diver with a Ronda 515 movement.  The seconds hand only "ticks" back and forth between minute markers, but does not seem to change seconds.  Obviously the new battery is working so I thought it was the movement... Ordered and changed the entire movement but the replacement movement seems to just do the same thing... I am stumped.   Can anyone offer some advice?  Thank you.

[AndyGSi]

Welcome to the forum.

Normally if the second hand twitches it's an indication of a seized
movement due to old oil which can sometimes be freed.

Where did you get the new movement from and is it the correct one as there are a number or variations?

[Ole]

Thank you, Andy.  The new movement comes from an online shop popular here in the Philippines called "Lazada".  I have had no problems with them and the claim was it was that it was "imported from Switzerland"  but the back of the movement says Swiss Parts... so, I think this is assembled in Bankok.  I got the batteries from the same online shop.  All the parts including the hands fit perfectly.  I am a bit scared to take it apart, but I have to do it sometime... 

The watch is "Wenger" and that is definitely genuine.   You think I have better chances taking that old movement apart? I will start looking for the tech sheets.

[HectorLooi]

Do you have a quartz watch tester?

https://s.lazada.sg/s.cO3hw

If you do, use the line release function to spin the rotor and see if that frees up the movement. 

[AndyGSi]

I wouldn't start taking it apart unless you've no other option.

Try a drop IPA or lighter fluid on the rear pivots and see if this frees it up.

Edit

Is it possible with the new movement you've got the wrong variant and
the hands at catching the lens or does it still twitch out of the case?

Edited April 9 by AndyGSi

[Ole]

Thank you, again.  No, I do not have a watch tester yet.   Thank you for the link.

I will try the IPA method and see if it works.   Sounds about right... I will get back to you to let you know. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

Check the battery, even if it's in a sealed  packet, aged ? a weak one could cause this seconds motion. Never assume that something unopened is fully functioning. 

These cheap testers are handy little gadgets, I used one extensively when i started watch repair. Great for basic testing of circuit modules for working. Most have a quartz component check, the battery tester is pretty basic and will only provide an indication. You can buy a voltmeter cheap enough to test batteries.

[AndyGSi]

30 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

These cheap testers are handy little gadgets, I used one extensively when i started watch repair. Great for basic testing of circuit modules for working. Most have a quartz component check, the battery tester is pretty basic and will only provide an indication. You can buy a voltmeter cheap enough to test batteries.

They do new fangled digital ones now that actually show the voltage and an idea how accurate the movement is.

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 minute ago, AndyGSi said:

They do new fangled digital ones now that actually show the voltage and an idea how accurate the movement is.

Oohh nice, have I got to buy another one now

[AndyGSi]

Just had a look at the link by @HectorLooi and think the list price is a bit of a joke.

I hate sellers like these where they show stupid discounts so peope think they're getting a bargain.

[clockboy]

Some Quartz watches need a re set after a battery change. I have one of these which gives the option to free a clogged movement..

 

[AndyGSi]

10 minutes ago, clockboy said:

Some Quartz watches need a re set after a battery change. I have one of these which gives the option to free a clogged movement..

 

Did you buy that from Noah? 

[HectorLooi]

23 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

Just had a look at the link by @HectorLooi and think the list price is a bit of a joke.

I hate sellers like these where they show stupid discounts so peope think they're getting a bargain.

If you think the price is a joke, look at AliExpress. It's even cheaper. That's why I buy most of my stuff from AliExpress. Only stuff that I can't get from AliExpress then I'll check if Lazada has it.

[Neverenoughwatches]

51 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

Just had a look at the link by @HectorLooi and think the list price is a bit of a joke.

I hate sellers like these where they show stupid discounts so peope think they're getting a bargain.

I saw that but wasn't sure what brand of dollar I was looking at.

50 minutes ago, clockboy said:

Some Quartz watches need a re set after a battery change. I have one of these which gives the option to free a clogged movement..

 

I have that one, the crystal tester is interesting, if you've ever tried it. 

[AndyGSi]

@Neverenoughwatches & @HectorLooi

My point was a Joke by being high, even at $57.46 it's expensive and no way is that -68%

[Neverenoughwatches]

27 minutes ago, HectorLooi said:

If you think the price is a joke, look at AliExpress. It's even cheaper. That's why I buy most of my stuff from AliExpress. Only stuff that I can't get from AliExpress then I'll check if Lazada has it.

As per the Aliexpress thread I started. I've bought 30 items in the last month, about 40 quid in total.  Everything I've bought is available at Ebay.  This is why ebay sellers offer free shipping for these items, because they paid so little and it's an incentive for buyers. A year ago I bought a small speed controller from ebay, about 4-5 quid, 4 of the identical ones turned up on Saturday from Ali for 2 quid, 50p each.

[Ole]

Hi guys, thank you all for the comments.  Andy, the IPA did not work.  I decided to take it apart.  At least Ronda has the complete tech papers.   clockboy, I tried fiddling around by moving the gears, the connection is there, but the "reset" option sounds good.  I will research on it, but any hints would be well appreciated.   Neverenoughwatches and Andy, I am not sure if I want to invest even that much for a tester, since quartz movements seem really cheap... and I am lazy, hahahaha.  But I have a multitester that is very good, and it registers a good voltage on the new battery.  Thank you, Neverenoughwatches!

[Ole]

Thank you, too!  HectorLooi!

[AndyGSi]

1 hour ago, Ole said:

but the "reset" option sounds good.  I will research on it, but any hints would be well appreciated.

There is no reset on a Ronda 515 as this is only on Chronograph movements.

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, Ole said:

But I have a multitester that is very good, and it registers a good voltage on the new battery.  Thank you, Neverenoughwatches!

What voltage are you getting ?

[JohnR725]

On 4/9/2025 at 3:43 AM, Neverenoughwatches said:

These cheap testers

I noticed now there is a new quartz testing devices out looks interesting

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808087625641.html

 

[AndyGSi]

51 minutes ago, JohnR725 said:

I noticed now there is a new quartz testing devices out looks interesting

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808087625641.html

 

The listing doesn't say a great deal but would be interested to know more about it.

[JohnR725]

7 hours ago, AndyGSi said:

The listing doesn't say a great deal but would be interested to know more about it.

typical problem of the picture it doesn't really sell itself we need a description. One of the other sellers had a better description.

[Ole]

On 4/12/2025 at 3:12 PM, Neverenoughwatches said:

What voltage are you getting ?

I am getting 1.55 Volts on all the batteries i purchased -- directly out from the packaging.

[Ole]

On 4/12/2025 at 2:55 PM, AndyGSi said:

There is no reset on a Ronda 515 as this is only on Chronograph movements.

There seems to be a way to "short" the thing to what they call an AC Reset... Makes a bit of sense, only problem is that i have  to firstly re-assemble the movement.