Explains the end-of-life battery warning when a quartz watch jumps every 5 seconds — and what to do before it fully dies.
Many quartz movements use a special low-battery warning: the seconds hand jumps in 5-second steps instead of every second. This is intentional. It is telling you the battery is near end of life.
Not every quartz watch has a 5-second EOL warning. Some just stop. Irregular jumping is not the same as a clean 5-second warning.
Why does my watch jump every 5 seconds?On many quartz watches this is an end-of-battery warning mode.
Is a 5-second jump broken?Usually not. It is often a designed warning before the battery dies fully.
How long can I wait to change the battery?Do it soon. Waiting until total stop is less convenient and can leave the watch dead when you need it.
Do mechanical watches do the 5-second jump?No. A mechanical watch jumping oddly is a different issue and needs different diagnosis.