How to Replace a Watch Battery in Your Watch

So how do you replace a watch battery in your watch?

The instructions for changing a watch battery will depend on the type of watch you have. Click the links below to find help on the different steps in replacing a watch battery for different types of watches:

1. How do I open the watch case?
2. What is the correct battery for my watch?
3. How do I fit the battery?
4. How do I replace the watch case back?
5. Will my watch still be waterproof?
6. The digital display on my watch is not working.
7. My watch still won't go with the new battery.

Step by step instructions for:

8. Replacing a battery in a Snap Back watch case.
9. Replacing a battery in a Screw Back watch case.
10. Replacing a battery in a watch with screws in the watch back.
11. Replacing a battery in a Swatch watch.

Top of Page

1. How do I open the watch case?

There are three main types of watch case - the 'snap back' type, the 'screw' type and watch cases where the watch back plate is held in place by small screws. Swatch watches have sealed cases which do not open, but have a battery port that can be opened for easy battery replacement.

	a) The snap off type watch back Click for instructions on replacing a battery in a snap back watch case.
	b) The screw type case back Click for instructions on replacing a battery in a screw type watch case.
	c) Watch backs held on with screws Click for instructions on replacing a battery in a watch case with screws.
	d) Swatch watch cases Click for instructions on replacing a battery in a Swatch watch.

Top of Page

2. What is the correct battery for my watch?

In order to identify the correct replacement battery for your watch you will need to know the battery code. Sometimes this is printed on the back of the watch - as with Timex watches - but in many cases you will need to open the watch up to see the code on the battery.
The code can take various forms such as:

Use our extensive cross reference table to find the equivalent code and correct battery for your watch.
Alternatively you can simply type the battery code you have into the search box below and it will take you to the correct equivalent battery.

If you are still not sure if you have identified the correct battery you can contact us using our Contact Us form.

Top of Page

3. How do I fit the battery?

Once you have opened the watch case you will need to remove the old battery and replace it. There are a number of different ways in which batteries are held in place the watch movement. Sometimes they are held in by a spring clip, sometimes by a retaining bar, sometimes by a plastic cover. In some cases it will be neccessary to loosen or remove some screws to remove the retaining clip, in others the battery can be eased out of the battery compartment. Here are some examples of the types of battery retainers you are likely to see:

	a) Clip held watch battery in Casio watch Click for instructions on replacing a battery in a clip held Casio watch.
	b) Spring clip watch battery retainer Click for instructions on removing a watch battery retained by a spring clip.
	c) Screw clip watch battery retainer Click for instructions on removing a watch battery retained by a screw held clip.
	d) Plastic surround watch battery retainer Click for instructions on removing a watch battery retained by a plastic surround.

Once you have removed the old battery, putting in the new battery is simply a reversal of the procedure above. Using the tweezers or other non-metalic tool ease the battery back into place and, if required, screw the retaining bar back in place.

Top of Page

4. How do I replace the watch case back?

Before replacing the back of the watch first check that the watch is working, if it is then all is ready for you to replace the watch case back. When putting the watch case back on to the watch be careful not to loose or damage the rubber o-ring seal. This is important in keeping the watch water tight (see below).

	a) Closing a screw type watch back With a screw back simply place the back on to the watch case and twist the back clockwise to screw it back in place. Tighten carefully using a Screw Back watch opening tool or similar.
	b) Closing a watch back held on with screws With a back plate held on with screws, using a small screwdriverreplace each screw and tighten gently so as not to strip the threads.
	c) Closing a snap back watch case Click for instructions on closing a snap back watch case.

Top of Page

5. Will my watch still be waterproof?

As long as you have put the back on the watch securely and the o-ring is undamaged, the watch should retain its original water proof performance. The water resistance performance can be helped by putting a small smear of silicon grease on the o-ring, but be careful that this does not go inside the watch case.
Most high street jewellers will not be able to test the water proof performance of a watch on their premises, and so after changing the battery will not guarantee the water proof rating of the watch, therefore if you require your watch to be guaranteed water proof (such as a diving watch) it is likely that the watch will have to be sent away.
The test equipment required to do this costs a couple of hundred pounds and consists of a small tank which is half filled with water. The watch is suspended in the air space above the water and the tank is sealed. The tank is then pressurised with a hand pump to the required test pressure. Once at this pressure, the watch is lowered into the water and then the pressure released from the tank. If bubbles are seen coming OUT of the watch then clearly it is not water tight (well, not air tight actually). The seal will have to be changed again, the back retightened and the test repeated.

Water proof rating on watches can be confusing, see the Casio water proof rating chart for a detailed explanation of water proof rating on watches.

Top of Page

6. The digital display on my watch is not working.

Click on image to enlarge	If the display on your digital watch is not working or not showing the correct display then it is likely that the watch needs to be reset. If you remove the back again, you should see some indication of a reset hole on the watch's movement. This is sometimes marked with the letters "AC" (All Clear).
Click on image to enlarge	This needs to be shorted out against the case of the watch or the top of the watch battery. Using a paper clip or a pair of metal tweezers place one leg into the hole marked "AC"and touch the other leg against the main movement housing or the watch battery (creating a temporary short circuit). This should reset the display.

Top of Page

7. My watch still won't go with the new battery.

The obvious one first. Is the winder (crown) pushed fully home? If so, has the watch been left standing with an old battery inside it for a long period of time? If this is the case it is likely that the watch is at fault. New battery failure is very rare, and if the watch has been left idle for a long period then it may never work again. Sometimes placing the watch in a warm place will "loosen" things up sufficiently to get the mechanism working again. We have fitted several new batteries to watches which have started for a while then stopped. Leaving them in a warm airing cupboard over night has actually got them going again. It is always best to replace a battery in a watch as soon as the watch stops working.