Mastro Auction Question

jfkheat

While looking at a few of the items in the current Mastro auction I saw this watch, link below. The description says the watch was presented to Eddie Collins in 1951 at the 75th year anniversary of baseball celebration. What concerned me is this statement "With the addition of a new battery, the analogue timepiece should once again tell time." Correct me if I'm wrong but watches didn't have batteries in 1951 did they?
James



http://www.mastroauctions.com/index.cfm?action=DisplayContent&ContentName=Lot Information&LotIndex=72415&LastLotListing=Lot List Sports&CurrentRow=21