Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the condition or freshness of an electric battery. The battery is discharged with a load current having an amplitude increasing linearly with time. The battery voltage is measured as the battery is discharged and the amplitude of the load current is measured when the battery voltage decreases to a predetermined value. The measured amplitude of the load current is representative of the battery condition or freshness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the frequency error of a timebase frequency of a quartz timepiece, relative to a reference frequency. An input signal having a frequency equal to the timepiece timebase frequency is produced from the timepiece. The input signal is applied to a passive quartz crystal filter having a resonant frequency equal to the reference frequency, and which filter produces an output signal in response to the input signal. The phase of the input signal and the output of the passive quartz crystal filter is compared and at least one phase comparison signal related to the phase difference of the two signals is produced. The phase comparison signal drives a meter having a dial graduated in frequency error units to display the frequency error.