Thanks to all for the feedback. I sincerely appreciate it. I was able to take the watch to a watch battery/jewelry store. This store is known for selling $1 batteries. I hand over the watch, and a young girl proceeds to open it and change the battery. Once done, she tells me that the watch does not work. I leave the store disappointed. Several days later I mention it to my friend, and he tells me that maybe it was the battery, and to take it somewhere else (no $1 battery place). A few days later I take it to a mall jeweler, and she proceeded to change the battery. To my amazement and joy, she hands it me and says it's ticking now"! :-) The watch has not stopped, it's keeping excellent time, and the date has set correctly.
My advice to all, don't buy cheap batteries for your watches. I certainly won't.
Artslinger