Two Options When It Comes To Replacing Watch Batteries

Watch batteries don’t last forever. Watch batteries have an expected life span, as all batteries do, rechargeable or not.

To date, most watches out in the market use (or are capable of using) lithium batteries. Alkaline watch batteries can be found in the market, but these battery types don’t actually perform as well as lithium watch batteries do. Lithium watch batteries last considerably longer, and function their best in cold weather. There is actually no reliable rechargeable watch battery option when one talks about watch batteries.

When it comes to installing a new battery (when the old one runs out), one has two options: either to bring the watch to a shop (and have the battery installed by qualified personnel), or to use the “hands on” approach to it.

Naturally, the first option stands to hold more practical sense. As professional watch repair men know their trade, one wouldn’t have to go through the potential hassle of learning the basics of opening a watch, acquiring tools to facilitate the opening and learning the dynamics on which the watch operates (which gears to avoid, which areas to touch, etc).

Most watch shops selling watch batteries don’t charge extra for changing watch batteries, so why take that risk?

But if one is having trouble in finding a professional capable of handling the battery change, one can take comfort in knowing that there is no law saying one can’t change the battery of one’s own watch. Caution though, would have to be taken into account. That, and one’s trust in one’s dexterity would be put to the test. Damaging something during the act of replacing the battery could void the warranty (which varies from brand to brand, model to model) of the watch. One would have bigger problems in terms of repair and/or payment, should a mistake happen.

Gathering the necessary tools would then be the first thing to think about; a thin blade (a case knife would do perfectly), a case wrench, miniature screwdrivers, plastic tweezers, a press (for re-closing the watch), and a soft piece of cloth (to rest the case/case vise) would greatly make the battery replacement a breeze.

How easy the whole operation would be, depends on how complex (or simple) your watch’s case is. Two of the most common types are snap/hatch cases and screw back cases. Snap cases have tiny ledges (or one ledge) on the sides of the case. Using a case knife would make opening a snap case easy, as you would get more leverage to open it. Hatch cases have a notch (or notches) cut into the back of the case. A screwdriver would be ideal in opening this.

Screw back cases require a different approach. A wrench is needed to open it and a press is also needed to close it once again. Some types utilize a rubber gasket (for water resistance). Cases like this demand an amount of precision in putting the case together. Not seeing an obvious “opening method” would be an indicator, telling you that you have a screw back case.

Once the watch case is opened, the simple task of picking up the old battery (using plastic tweezers), then replacing it with the new one comes in.

Replacing watch batteries isn’t exactly a science, nor is it something just anyone can do. At least now, after reading this, you know your options.