If you noticed that your watch is not working properly or at all, it might be a sign that its battery is dying/dead. The best course of action in this situation would be to contact your seller and let them do the battery change, especially if you’re an owner of a luxury or a collectible watch.
If that is not possible for whatever reason, or if you want to tinker with your watch yourself, we hope that this step-by-step tutorial will help you change the watch battery on your own.
Contents
Step 1 – Determine the type of watch back
There are different watch case backs: snap-on, back with screws, or back with a hatch. The tools you will need and the way of taking the back off depends on the type of case back of your watch.
Snap-on back comes with a little indentation/lip on them, and it’s relatively easy to remove them.
Screw-in back comes with tiny screws around the watch back, holding it in place and securing needed pressure.
It is best to use plastic tools so you wouldn’t damage or scratch your case. If you are using metal tools, you should be much more careful while changing the battery to prevent any damage. Luckily, it is easy to find and buy most of the needed tools online.
Step 2 – Remove the back of the watch
Once you determine the type of your watch back, you can remove it with the appropriate tools.
Cases with a hatch might be the easiest type to remove. You only need a coin. Put it inside the hatch and twist it open.
Snap-on cases are fairly easy to remove as well. You need a watch case opener or another flat and thin tool you will put in the indentation. To remove the back, twist it. Again, it is best if you use an appropriate plastic tool for removal.
If your watch comes with a screw-in back, the procedure will be different. You will need a tiny screwdriver. Unscrew each of the tiny screws, and place them somewhere secure, because it is easy to lose them.
Step 3 – Remove the old battery
Once you have removed the watch back, you can see the watch’s movement and the battery. There is a rubber protection layer on some watches that you will need to remove first. It is also removable with a small, flat, preferably plastic tool.
Use your wife’s tweezers to remove the battery. We promise we won’t tell her. All jokes aside, tweezers will be the best tool for this part. Plastic ones would be perfect.
Pay attention to the way and the direction in which the battery is installed, so you can replicate it with the new battery and save yourself the headache of putting it the wrong way.
Step 4 – Put a new battery in
The new battery needs to be put in the same direction as the old one. You should also use the same type of battery that your watch originally comes with.
When it comes to watch batteries, there are three main types used in most watches – Lithium, Silver Oxide, and Alkaline batteries. You should check which one your watch comes with beforehand and buy accordingly.
When you put the battery in its place, turn the watch over and check if the watch is working. If not, you might have put the battery inside too loosely. Try to give it a slight push with your fingers. That’s why we recommend using gloves when changing the battery.
Sometimes, the crown might be the culprit. Some watches stop working when you pull the crown out. If that’s the case, push the crown back in its place and check if the watch works.
The battery might be inside the wrong way if the watch isn’t working. Take it out, turn it around and put it inside, and check again if the watch is working.
If none of these methods work, it’s best to contact a watchmaker, a jeweler, or your seller and arrange for them to repair your watch.
Step 5 – Put the case back on the watch
If you successfully change the battery and the watch is ticking again, put the case back on. The procedure will look different for different watch back types discussed before.
If it is a back with a hatch, put the back of the case on, press and twist the coin in the opposite direction to when you opened it.
If it is a snap-on back, put it back on in the original position and push it till you hear a snap indicating you put it back in correctly.
For a case back with screws, you need to put it in the original position and then screw all the little screws back into their places.
Conclusion
Changing the watch battery can be pretty straightforward, but it depends on your handiness skills. For watch lovers, their watches hold both a material and a significant emotional and collectible value. Therefore, it is essential to take good care of the wristwatch.
If you are uncertain of your ability and skills to do this, it is best to leave your watch in the hands of professionals. That way, nothing damaging will happen to your valuable timepiece.
Frequently Asked Questions
– How long does a watch battery last?
The average watch battery will last about 2 years. However, the battery life can vary depending on the type of watch and how often it is worn. Quartz watches typically have a longer battery life than mechanical watches.
Ruzica is an aspiring content writer who can cover various topics. Graduated with a degree in Political Science and has a talent for the written word. Also interested in digital marketing.
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