{"id":55401,"date":"2026-07-29T17:35:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T00:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/?p=55401"},"modified":"2026-07-29T17:35:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T00:35:12","slug":"do-rolex-watches-have-batteries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html","title":{"rendered":"Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rolex watches do not have batteries. Every Rolex in the current collection runs on a mechanical Perpetual movement that converts wrist motion into energy stored in a mainspring. The exceptions are historical. Rolex built battery-powered quartz references from 1970 until 2001, most famously the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-oysterquartz-1.html\">Rolex Oysterquartz<\/a>, and those models do use a battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rolex does not use batteries in any watch currently in production.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A Rolex Perpetual movement winds itself from the motion of the wearer\u2019s wrist and stores that energy in a mainspring.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modern Rolex calibers hold a power reserve of roughly 48 to 72 hours depending on the generation of the movement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Rolex Oysterquartz, produced from 1977 until 2001, is the brand\u2019s only battery-powered watch line.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rolex&#8217;s first battery-powered watch was the reference 5100 of 1970, released seven years before the Oysterquartz.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two things settle this question for good. The first is how a mechanical Rolex generates and stores power without any electrical source. The second is the short list of specific references that break the rule, which is smaller and older than most owners expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries? The Short Answer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquart-watch-collection-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rolex Oysterquartz Collection\" class=\"wp-image-71672\" title=\"Rolex Oysterquartz Collection\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquart-watch-collection-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquart-watch-collection-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquart-watch-collection-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquart-watch-collection-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquart-watch-collection.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rolex watches do not use batteries, with one historical exception. Every Rolex in the current catalog is a mechanical watch powered by a self-winding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/watch-resources\/perpetual-movement\">Perpetual movement<\/a> that stores energy in a mainspring rather than drawing it from a cell. The only battery-powered Rolex watches are the quartz references produced between 1970 and 2001, led by the Oysterquartz Datejust and the Oysterquartz Day-Date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most owners the practical answer is simpler still. Any Rolex manufactured within the last twenty years is a mechanical watch, and no battery will ever need replacing in it. Rolex addresses the question in its own customer FAQ, and the brand has not produced a quartz movement since the Oysterquartz production ended in 2001 (but sold up until 2003).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Rolex Watches Work Without a Battery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Parachrom_hairspring-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Parachrom Hairspring\" class=\"wp-image-6218\" title=\"Parachrom Hairspring\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Parachrom_hairspring-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Parachrom_hairspring-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Parachrom_hairspring.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Rolex works without a battery by capturing the motion of the wearer&#8217;s wrist and storing it as mechanical tension in a coiled mainspring. That stored tension is released through a train of gears at a rate controlled by the escapement, which is what turns raw energy into accurate timekeeping. The system is entirely mechanical, and the wearer is the power source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Perpetual Rotor and the Mainspring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rolex.com\/en-us\/watchmaking\/features\/movements\/perpetual-rotor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Perpetual rotor<\/a> is a semicircular weighted disc that pivots freely inside the case and winds the mainspring as the wearer moves. Rolex has used a version of this architecture in nearly every watch it has built since the 1930s. The sequence runs in four steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wrist motion turns the rotor, which spins on a central pivot in both directions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The rotor\u2019s rotation is transmitted through a reduction gear to wind the mainspring inside the barrel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The mainspring releases that energy gradually through the gear train to the hands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The escapement regulates the release into even increments, which is what keeps the watch accurate rather than simply running.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rolex invented and patented the self-winding Perpetual rotor mechanism in 1931, five years after introducing the waterproof Oyster case in 1926. A watch left unworn will eventually stop, and that is normal behavior rather than a fault. Winding the crown restores the mainspring, and every Rolex Perpetual movement can also be wound by hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rolex Power Reserve by Caliber Generation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Power reserve is the length of time a fully wound Rolex keeps accurate time after it comes off the wrist. The figure varies by movement generation rather than by model family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\t<div class=\"container-xl pt-4\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container-fluid px-4 px-xl-5 py-4 rounded mb-4 shadow\" style=\"background-color: var(--color-white);\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"table-responsive\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<table class=\"serialNumbers table table-striped\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Caliber<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Found In<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Power Reserve<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>3135<\/td><td>Earlier Submariner and Datejust references<\/td><td>Approximately 48 hours<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3235<\/td><td>Current Datejust and Submariner Date<\/td><td>Approximately 70 hours<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3285<\/td><td>Current GMT-Master II<\/td><td>Approximately 70 hours<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4131<\/td><td>Current Cosmograph Daytona<\/td><td>Approximately 72 hours<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The caliber generation, not the model name, sets the figure, which is why two Datejust references from different eras can differ by more than a full day of reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inside a Modern Rolex Caliber<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An Oysterquartz Datejust ref. 17013 and a current Datejust running caliber 3235 differ visibly at the seconds hand. The 3235 oscillates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, so its seconds hand advances in eight small steps every second and reads as a continuous sweep, while the quartz caliber 5035 in the Oysterquartz moves the hand in a single full jump once per second. The difference is a direct consequence of the movement architecture, not a styling decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The caliber 3235 is a self-winding mechanical movement built around the Chronergy escapement, a Rolex patented escapement geometry introduced in 2015 that improves the efficiency of energy transfer from the mainspring. It also carries a paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers. Movements of this generation are certified as Superlative Chronometers, a Rolex specification of minus 2 to plus 2 seconds per day measured after the movement is cased, tested on top of the chronometric certification the movement receives before casing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Rolex Oysterquartz: The One Rolex Line Built Around a Battery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"510\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Rolex_Datejust_17013_Rolex_Daytona_6239_5D3_9460-3-Edit-2.jpg\" alt=\"Rolex Oysterquartz Datejust\" class=\"wp-image-20811\" title=\"Rolex Oysterquartz Datejust\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Rolex_Datejust_17013_Rolex_Daytona_6239_5D3_9460-3-Edit-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Rolex_Datejust_17013_Rolex_Daytona_6239_5D3_9460-3-Edit-2-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Rolex_Datejust_17013_Rolex_Daytona_6239_5D3_9460-3-Edit-2-768x490.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Rolex_Datejust_17013_Rolex_Daytona_6239_5D3_9460-3-Edit-2-585x373.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Rolex Oysterquartz is a battery-powered quartz watch line that Rolex produced from 1977 until 2001 in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-datejust-1.html\">Rolex Datejust<\/a> and Rolex Day-Date configurations. It runs on a cell rather than a mainspring, which means it needs a battery replacement at intervals rather than winding. Its seconds hand advances in a single jump once per second, and its case is noticeably more angular than a standard Datejust, with flat brushed surfaces and a bracelet integrated into the case rather than fitted to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rolex developed two calibers for the line in-house, the 5035 for the Oysterquartz Datejust and the 5055 for the Oysterquartz Day-Date. Both are thermocompensated quartz calibers, meaning they correct for the effect of temperature change on the oscillator, and both were more accurate than any mechanical Rolex caliber of the period. The five references below are the core of the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\t\t<div class=\"container-xl pt-4\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container-fluid px-4 px-xl-5 py-4 rounded mb-4 shadow\" style=\"background-color: var(--color-white);\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"table-responsive\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<table class=\"serialNumbers table table-striped\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Reference<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Model and Metal<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Caliber<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>17000<\/td><td>Oysterquartz Datejust, stainless steel<\/td><td>5035<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>17013<\/td><td>Oysterquartz Datejust, steel and yellow gold<\/td><td>5035<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>17014<\/td><td>Oysterquartz Datejust, steel with white gold bezel<\/td><td>5035<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>19018<\/td><td>Oysterquartz Day-Date, 18k yellow gold<\/td><td>5055<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>19019<\/td><td>Oysterquartz Day-Date, 18k white gold<\/td><td>5055<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The steel 17000, the two-tone 17013 and the yellow gold 19018 are the references that most often reach the pre-owned market, while the 17014 and the 19019 surface far less frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rolex built the Oysterquartz in small numbers relative to its mechanical output, and the line is collectible today for exactly the reason it was once overlooked. Quartz movements arrived in force in the 1970s, and the Swiss industry responded to that pressure in different ways. Rolex answered by engineering a quartz caliber to its own standards and housing it in its own case language, which is the only time the brand paired its case styling with a battery-driven, high-precision quartz movement. Rolex ended production of the line in 2001. Remaining stock continued to sell through dealers into 2003, and the brand never published a final production date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;For years the Oysterquartz was treated as the odd Rolex nobody wanted. Collectors now look at it as the only battery-powered watch Rolex ever engineered itself, and interest in the line reflects that shift.&#8221;<\/p>\n<cite>Carol Altieri, COO of Bob&#8217;s Watches<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rolex&#8217;s First Battery-Powered Watch Was Not the Oysterquartz<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-watch-two-tone-white-dial-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rolex Oysterquartz Two Tone watch with White Dial\" class=\"wp-image-71673\" title=\"Rolex Oysterquartz Two Tone watch with White Dial\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-watch-two-tone-white-dial-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-watch-two-tone-white-dial-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-watch-two-tone-white-dial-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-watch-two-tone-white-dial-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-watch-two-tone-white-dial.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rolex released its first battery-powered watch in 1970, seven years before the Oysterquartz. The reference 5100 was a numbered series of 1,000 pieces powered by the Beta 21, a quartz caliber developed by the Centre Electronique Horloger, a research consortium formed in 1962 by Rolex and twenty other Swiss manufacturers. Rolex later left the consortium and spent roughly five years developing the in-house calibers 5035 and 5055 that would power the Oysterquartz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 5100 launched in June 1970 and the entire series sold through by 1972. The Beta 21 module was too large for any existing Oyster case, so Rolex built a new one around it, angular in profile with an integrated bracelet, and fitted it with a sapphire crystal, the first Rolex to use one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The widely repeated claim that the Oysterquartz was the only battery-powered Rolex is inaccurate. Rolex produced two distinct quartz chapters, the 5100 of 1970 with a consortium movement and the Oysterquartz from 1977 with movements of its own design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Tell Whether a Rolex Is Mechanical or Battery Powered<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/zRolex-OysterQuartz-19018-Gold-Day-Date-115504s-Edit-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Rolex Oysterquartz Datejust in Gold with White Dial\" class=\"wp-image-18017\" title=\"Rolex Oysterquartz Datejust in Gold with White Dial\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/zRolex-OysterQuartz-19018-Gold-Day-Date-115504s-Edit-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/zRolex-OysterQuartz-19018-Gold-Day-Date-115504s-Edit-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/zRolex-OysterQuartz-19018-Gold-Day-Date-115504s-Edit-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/zRolex-OysterQuartz-19018-Gold-Day-Date-115504s-Edit-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/zRolex-OysterQuartz-19018-Gold-Day-Date-115504s-Edit-140x140.jpg 140w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/zRolex-OysterQuartz-19018-Gold-Day-Date-115504s-Edit-380x380.jpg 380w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/zRolex-OysterQuartz-19018-Gold-Day-Date-115504s-Edit.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Rolex can be identified as mechanical or battery-powered in seconds, without opening the case. Five checks settle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Watch the seconds hand<\/strong>. A continuous sweep indicates a mechanical Perpetual movement. A single jump each second indicates quartz.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check the case profile<\/strong>. Oysterquartz cases are markedly more angular than a standard Datejust and use a bracelet integrated into the case.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Read the dial text<\/strong>. Oysterquartz models carry the word Oysterquartz on the dial.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check the reference number engraved between the lugs<\/strong> against the Oysterquartz references 17000, 17013, 17014, 19018 and 19019.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Listen in a quiet room<\/strong>. A mechanical Rolex produces a rapid, fine sound from the escapement rather than one audible tick per second.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These checks also matter when buying. A watch marked Rolex whose seconds hand jumps once per second, in a case that is not one of the Oysterquartz references, warrants authentication by a specialist before money changes hands. A jumping seconds hand on its own does not prove a counterfeit, since it is exactly what an Oysterquartz should do, so the case, dial and reference all need to agree. Buyers can also verify a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-serial-numbers\">Rolex serial number<\/a> and production year to confirm that the movement type and the era of the watch line up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Happens When a Rolex Stops Running<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/gold-rolex-oysterquartz-1024x660.jpg\" alt=\"Gold Rolex Oysterquartz\" class=\"wp-image-71669\" title=\"Gold Rolex Oysterquartz\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/gold-rolex-oysterquartz-1024x660.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/gold-rolex-oysterquartz-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/gold-rolex-oysterquartz-768x495.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/gold-rolex-oysterquartz.jpg 1086w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Rolex that stops running has almost always run out of stored energy rather than failed. The mainspring has unwound because the watch sat unworn, and the fix takes less than a minute. Four steps cover nearly every case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wind the crown approximately 25 turns clockwise to restore tension in the mainspring, then set the time and date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wear the watch regularly, or keep it on a watch winder, if it sits in a rotation rather than serving as a daily watch.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have the watch serviced if it stops while worn daily or runs outside its accuracy specification. Rolex recommends servicing approximately every 10 years, depending on how the watch is used.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take an Oysterquartz to a watchmaker experienced with calibers 5035 and 5055 for a battery replacement, since parts for these movements are no longer produced and a general jeweler may not have handled one.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A mechanical Rolex remains serviceable for decades because its components can be cleaned, lubricated and replaced, which is the real answer to how long one of these watches lasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oysterquartz Values in the Pre-Owned Market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Rolex-Oysterquartz-17013-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Rolex-Oysterquartz-17013\" class=\"wp-image-9389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Rolex-Oysterquartz-17013-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Rolex-Oysterquartz-17013-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Rolex-Oysterquartz-17013-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Rolex-Oysterquartz-17013-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Rolex-Oysterquartz-17013.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">For a brief time, Rolex used Quartz movements. Pictured here is the Rolex Oysterquartz 17013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oysterquartz values on the pre-owned market divide along metal rather than model. Steel and two-tone Oysterquartz Datejust references sold at Bob\u2019s Watches between July 2025 and July 2026 averaged approximately $6,500 to $6,600, across a range of roughly $5,600 to $10,100 depending on condition, dial originality and bracelet condition. Yellow gold Oysterquartz Day-Date references averaged approximately $17,700 across a range of roughly $14,500 to $22,100.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\t\t<div class=\"container-xl pt-4\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container-fluid px-4 px-xl-5 py-4 rounded mb-4 shadow\" style=\"background-color: var(--color-white);\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"table-responsive\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<table class=\"serialNumbers table table-striped\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Reference<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Configuration<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Average Sold Price<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>17000<\/td><td>Oysterquartz Datejust, stainless steel<\/td><td>Approximately $6,500<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>17013<\/td><td>Oysterquartz Datejust, steel and yellow gold<\/td><td>Approximately $6,600<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>19018<\/td><td>Oysterquartz Day-Date, 18k yellow gold<\/td><td>Approximately $17,700<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Sold prices at Bob&#8217;s Watches, July 2025 through July 2026. These are secondary market figures rather than retail.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The comparison that matters most to a buyer is against the mechanical equivalent. Oysterquartz Datejust references have generally traded below a comparable mechanical Datejust 36, which averaged closer to $9,000 over the same twelve months. Collectible has not meant expensive for this line, and that gap is part of why interest in the references has grown. Steel and two-tone examples sold most recently have landed toward the lower end of the year\u2019s range, so the direction is worth watching rather than treating as settled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certain references can hold value better than others, and outcomes depend on condition, originality, service history, and whether the box and papers are present. No model guarantees a profit. Owners weighing whether to keep or move one can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/sell-rolex-watch\">sell your Rolex watch<\/a> through a specialist who prices from sold data rather than asking prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rolex Movements at a Glance: What Every Owner Should Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-two-tone-stick-markers-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rolex Oysterquartz Two Tone Watch\" class=\"wp-image-71671\" title=\"Rolex Oysterquartz Two Tone Watch\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-two-tone-stick-markers-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-two-tone-stick-markers-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-two-tone-stick-markers-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-two-tone-stick-markers-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rolex-oysterquartz-two-tone-stick-markers.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No Rolex in current production contains a battery. The mainspring inside a Perpetual movement is wound by wrist motion, holds roughly 48 to 72 hours of reserve depending on the caliber, and can be wound by hand at any time. Ownership means winding and periodic servicing, never a battery swap. The brand\u2019s quartz chapter was real but brief, running from the reference 5100 in 1970 through the Oysterquartz until production ended in 2001, and those watches are now collected as historical pieces rather than bought as daily timekeepers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bob\u2019s Watches handles both sides of that history, from current generation mechanical references to the Oysterquartz Datejust and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-day-date-1.html\">Rolex Day-Date<\/a> models that still turn up with their original bracelets. Every watch is authenticated before it is listed, and pricing comes from sold market data rather than asking prices. Certain references are generally considered strong performers on the pre-owned market, and outcomes depend on condition, originality, and whether the box and papers are present. No model guarantees a profit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<bui-accordion faq-schema=\"\">\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"Do Rolex watches have batteries?\">Rolex watches sold today do not have batteries and run on self-winding mechanical movements. The brand produced battery-powered quartz watches only twice in its history, with the reference 5100 in 1970 and the Oysterquartz line from 1977 until 2001. Any Rolex manufactured after 2001 is mechanical.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"How do Rolex watches work without a battery?\">Rolex watches work without a battery by converting wrist motion into stored mechanical energy. A weighted Perpetual rotor spins as the wearer moves and winds a mainspring, which releases energy through the gear train at a rate controlled by the escapement. A fully wound modern Rolex holds roughly 48 to 72 hours of power reserve depending on the caliber.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"What happens if my Rolex stops ticking?\">A Rolex that stops ticking has usually exhausted its power reserve after sitting unworn. Winding the crown approximately 25 turns clockwise restores the mainspring, and the time and date can then be reset. A Rolex that stops while being worn daily, or that runs well outside its accuracy specification, needs servicing by a qualified watchmaker.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"What is the lifespan of a Rolex watch?\">A Rolex watch can stay in service for decades because every component in a mechanical movement can be cleaned, lubricated or replaced. Lifespan depends on maintenance rather than age, and watches from the 1950s and 1960s still run accurately today after regular servicing. Rolex recommends servicing approximately every 10 years, depending on use.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"How can you tell if a Rolex is real?\">A real Rolex can be assessed by the movement, the case finishing and the numbers on the watch. A mechanical Rolex shows a smoothly sweeping seconds hand, sharp transitions between brushed and polished surfaces, and matching serial and reference numbers engraved between the lugs. A jumping seconds hand is correct on an Oysterquartz and is not proof of a counterfeit, so the dial, case and reference need to agree before a verdict. Professional authentication remains the only definitive answer.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"Do Rolex Oysterquartz watches still need batteries?\">Rolex Oysterquartz watches still run on batteries and need replacements at intervals. Replacement should be handled by a watchmaker familiar with calibers 5035 and 5055, because spare parts for these movements are out of production and errors are costly. A correctly serviced Oysterquartz remains accurate and fully usable today.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"How much is a Rolex Oysterquartz worth?\">A Rolex Oysterquartz is worth approximately $5,600 to $10,100 for steel and two-tone Datejust references and approximately $14,500 to $22,100 for yellow gold Day-Date references, based on sold prices at Bob&#8217;s Watches between July 2025 and July 2026. Value depends on condition, dial and bracelet originality, and service history. Oysterquartz Datejust references have generally traded below comparable mechanical Datejust 36 references, which averaged closer to $9,000 over the same period.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<\/bui-accordion>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rolex watches do not have batteries. Every Rolex in the current collection runs on a mechanical Perpetual movement that converts [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":55403,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2374],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[2286],"class_list":["post-55401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorial"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries? Here Is The 1 Exception<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do Rolex watches have batteries? No. Rolex uses mechanical movements, with one exception: the battery-powered Oysterquartz.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries? Here Is The 1 Exception\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Do Rolex watches have batteries? No. Rolex uses mechanical movements, with one exception: the battery-powered Oysterquartz.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bob&#039;s Watches\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bobswatches\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-30T00:35:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Oysterquartz.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2180\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"700\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Paul Altieri\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@bobswatches\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@bobswatches\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Paul Altieri\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Paul Altieri\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/22b37643d599dce1a5947061baa91033\"},\"headline\":\"Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries?\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-30T00:35:12+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html\"},\"wordCount\":2522,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/Oysterquartz.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Editorial\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html\",\"name\":\"Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries? Here Is The 1 Exception\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/Oysterquartz.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-30T00:35:12+00:00\",\"description\":\"Do Rolex watches have batteries? No. Rolex uses mechanical movements, with one exception: the battery-powered Oysterquartz.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/Oysterquartz.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/Oysterquartz.jpg\",\"width\":2180,\"height\":700},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\\\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Bob's Watches\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Editorial\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/editorial\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Bob&#039;s Watches\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Bob's Watches\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/02\\\/bobs-watches-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/02\\\/bobs-watches-logo.png\",\"width\":600,\"height\":138,\"caption\":\"Bob's Watches\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/bobswatches\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/bobswatches\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/bobswatches\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/bobs-watches\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/BobsWatches\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/bobswatches\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\\\/rolex-blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/22b37643d599dce1a5947061baa91033\",\"name\":\"Paul Altieri\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50af9d21f497d6059e6da43edc940c99353eec96f9c4db365b54db9d3135c1b0?s=96&d=mm&r=gfb4a2a02993ff88bb170deea88d2fb81\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50af9d21f497d6059e6da43edc940c99353eec96f9c4db365b54db9d3135c1b0?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50af9d21f497d6059e6da43edc940c99353eec96f9c4db365b54db9d3135c1b0?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Paul Altieri\"},\"description\":\"Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. - the largest and most trusted name in luxury watches. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. In an interview with the WSJ lifestyle\\\/fashion editor Christina Binkley, Paul opened his vault to display his extensive collection of vintage Rolex Submariners and Daytonas. Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bobswatches.com\",\"https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Bobs_Watches\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries? Here Is The 1 Exception","description":"Do Rolex watches have batteries? No. Rolex uses mechanical movements, with one exception: the battery-powered Oysterquartz.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries? Here Is The 1 Exception","og_description":"Do Rolex watches have batteries? No. Rolex uses mechanical movements, with one exception: the battery-powered Oysterquartz.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html","og_site_name":"Bob&#039;s Watches","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bobswatches","article_published_time":"2026-07-30T00:35:12+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2180,"height":700,"url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Oysterquartz.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Paul Altieri","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@bobswatches","twitter_site":"@bobswatches","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Paul Altieri","Est. reading time":"14 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html"},"author":{"name":"Paul Altieri","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/22b37643d599dce1a5947061baa91033"},"headline":"Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries?","datePublished":"2026-07-30T00:35:12+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html"},"wordCount":2522,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Oysterquartz.jpg","articleSection":["Editorial"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html","url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html","name":"Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries? Here Is The 1 Exception","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Oysterquartz.jpg","datePublished":"2026-07-30T00:35:12+00:00","description":"Do Rolex watches have batteries? No. Rolex uses mechanical movements, with one exception: the battery-powered Oysterquartz.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Oysterquartz.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Oysterquartz.jpg","width":2180,"height":700},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial\/do-rolex-watches-have-batteries.html#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Bob's Watches","item":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Editorial","item":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/editorial"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Do Rolex Watches Have Batteries?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/","name":"Bob&#039;s Watches","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#organization","name":"Bob's Watches","url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bobs-watches-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bobs-watches-logo.png","width":600,"height":138,"caption":"Bob's Watches"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bobswatches","https:\/\/x.com\/bobswatches","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bobswatches\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/bobs-watches\/","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/BobsWatches\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/bobswatches"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/22b37643d599dce1a5947061baa91033","name":"Paul Altieri","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50af9d21f497d6059e6da43edc940c99353eec96f9c4db365b54db9d3135c1b0?s=96&d=mm&r=gfb4a2a02993ff88bb170deea88d2fb81","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50af9d21f497d6059e6da43edc940c99353eec96f9c4db365b54db9d3135c1b0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50af9d21f497d6059e6da43edc940c99353eec96f9c4db365b54db9d3135c1b0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Paul Altieri"},"description":"Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. - the largest and most trusted name in luxury watches. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. In an interview with the WSJ lifestyle\/fashion editor Christina Binkley, Paul opened his vault to display his extensive collection of vintage Rolex Submariners and Daytonas. Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bobs_Watches"]}]}},"authors":[{"term_id":2286,"user_id":2,"is_guest":0,"slug":"paul","display_name":"Paul Altieri","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50af9d21f497d6059e6da43edc940c99353eec96f9c4db365b54db9d3135c1b0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","author_category":"","user_url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com","last_name":"Altieri","first_name":"Paul","job_title":"","description":"Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. - the largest and most trusted name in luxury watches. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry.  His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. \r\n\r\nAlongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. In an interview with the WSJ lifestyle\/fashion editor Christina Binkley, Paul opened his vault to display his extensive collection of vintage Rolex Submariners and Daytonas. \r\n\r\nPaul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55401"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55401\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71681,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55401\/revisions\/71681"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55401"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=55401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}