A watch battery often seems simple enough and something you can do yourself. While that is true, changing your battery on your own can potentially void the warranty. Simply opening the back of the case can introduce dust which can cause damage to the movement. Not to mention without the proper tools you can scratch or damage the case. It is recommended to change your watch battery every 1 to 3 years. You should never leave a dead battery in your watch because it can leak and cause internal damage. In this article I will address the 4 step process a professional technician uses to replace a watch battery.
It is typically my advise to always seek a pro to change out your battery. This is even more true if you own a high end luxury timepiece. When a pro technician swaps out the battery for you, they typically follow a five step process….
5 Step Process to Replace a Watch Battery
1. Inspection
The first step in battery replacement for watch technicians is that they need to undertake a full inspection of the watch. They need to ensure that all components, including cogs and gaskets, are in working order. This inspection is also to ensure that if the watch is stopped that the battery is the culprit. Understanding how the watch is working is the first step in determining if the battery needs replacement.
2. Battery Selection
Next, Watch technicians need to research the market for the most appropriate battery. These should have been designed for the specifications of the watch. They should also be recommended and used by most watch manufacturers.
There are a few different styles of watch batteries with button cell being the most common. You can find a list of sizes here. Not all watches use the same type, size, or even voltage.
3. Battery Replacement
Once a battery is selected the next step is to remove the case backing. Some batteries simply lay in a trey while others are clamped in with mini screws. If there are screws, they are removed. Then the old battery is removed with a long pair of tweezers. Then the new battery is carefully laid in with tweezers.
Then the technician checks to make sure the watch is getting the correct power and functioning properly.
4. Resealing the Case
Once the battery has been replaced, the back of the watch will require resealing. This ensures it is water resistant. This requires a special water-resistance seal, and will need a second application due to natural removal through aging. This is particularly true if the watch is worn during sport or has been submerged in water during previous use.
Even no water resistant watches need to be properly sealed. If the case backing doesn’t sit perfectly in the case, the watch could be exposed to water, sweat, or condensation, that it typically wouldn’t be exposed to.
5. Pressure Testing
Lastly, pressure testing ensures that the water-resistance seal has been applied correctly and keeps water from entering through any gaps. This is usually an additional service and may be charged as such.
Replace a Watch Battery Conclusion
Replacing a battery is a common timepiece repair. It can be performed by any professional watch technician and can is typically inexpensive. Before you decide to get a watch battery changed, you should consider your warranty. In some cases any unauthorized technicians working on your watch can void the warranty all together.
