How to Replace a Watch Battery

Love your relic of a timepiece but having to pay to replace the battery? Installing a new battery yourself can save you a trip to the jeweler.

Step 1: Open the band or remove
Open the watchband or remove it. If the band is connected by a clasp, remove the spring-loaded pin that holds it together with a toothpick.

Step 2: Place in the vice
Open the 2 sides of the case holding vise, place the watch in the middle, and slowly release and tighten the sides. The watch should be held snugly.

Tip
If you have a specialized watch or waterproof watch, you should take it to a professional watch repair to prevent any damage to the timepiece.

Step 3: Remove the back
Remove the back of the watch. Use a case knife to wedge under the back of a snap back and pop it up. Use a screw driver to remove a hatch back. Use a case wrench to remove a screw back by placing the tips in the back slots and twisting counterclockwise.

Step 4: Move the battery clip
Move the battery clip out of the way with tweezers for a removable clip or a screwdriver for a screw clip or permanent clip.

Step 5: Remove battery and test
Remove the battery and use a battery tester to check it. If the tester shows the battery isn’t dead, then your watch needs repairs. If your watch has 2 batteries and one is “good,” replace both batteries.

Step 6: Clean the battery compartment
Remove any dirt and debris from the battery compartment with a pair of plastic tweezers or a cleaning cloth.

Step 7: Insert battery and battery clip
Insert the new battery and snap the battery clip back on or screw the clip back into place.

Tip
If your watch has a screw clip, you will need to use a pair of tweezers to hold the clip in place while you twist the screw back in.

Step 8: Close the watch
Replace the watch back and secure with the screwdriver, case wrench, or a watch hand press.

Step 9: Clean the watch and replace hinge pin
Clean the watch with a cleaning cloth. If you removed the hinge pin on the clasp, put the clasp back together and replace the pin.

Step 10: Reset the watch
Reset the time on the watch and put it on. Now you’ll have to come up with a new excuse for your tardiness!

Did You Know?
The Energizer Bunny has been going, and going, and going since its television debut in 1989.