Ensure your watch battery replacement is not only easy but successful with these 7 simple tips.
1. Test The Battery
Save yourself time and effort by first confirming if the battery is the root of the problem. By using a battery tester like the GemOro EconoTester you get the most accurate reading of the battery’s current condition. This helps you determine if a simple watch battery replacement will fix your watch, or if you’re facing a more intricate repair.
2. Cross Reference Chart
Not all manufacturers use the same battery numbers nor are all batteries readily available. This can cause the process of determining the correct battery to buy to be a bit confusing. The use of this free watch battery cross reference chart will guide you in finding the correct replacement battery along with helpful specs like the battery’s size and voltage.
3. Battery Saver
“If it works don’t fix it”, right? Well sort of, if you determine your battery still has power but it shows evidence of oxidation and residue the best thing to do in this case is remove all the gunk. With a battery saver pen you can prolong the life of your existing batteries by cleaning them up to prevent power draining contact resistance.
4. Non Conductive Tweezers
The use of metal tweezers and your fingers can cause a brand new battery’s power to drain before it’s installed in your watch. The oils on your fingers can cause a corrosive effect or even short circuit the battery. A metal tweezers can drain the power from the battery and potentially damage your movement. Using a non conductive plastic tweezers is the best way to prevent that from happening.
5. Correctly Opening The Case Back
Now this may seem like a no brainer, but without being able to get at the battery you won’t be replacing it anytime soon. Don’t take the risk of scratching or possibly ruining the watch’s case back by forcing it open with the use of makeshift tools. A simple case knife and a screw on style case back opener are the most commonly used tools to open watches for watch battery replacement. They’ll make the repair far easier and prevent damage to your watch.
6. Spare Parts
How your battery is secured will play an important role in powering the watch. Unfortunately tiny screws and cell straps can go flying during repairs. Having a mixed variety of spare parts around will help you in a pinch. Stay covered with a small investment like the “Spare Parts for Battery Replacement Kit”, which includes a variety of cell straps, screws for clamps and circuits, insulators, and gaskets.
7. Watch Press
It’s important to have your case back closed correctly in order to have a tight seal that prevents moisture and dust from getting in. A watch press also known as a “case press” or “crystal press” allows you to use a lever motion to quickly and safely close snap on style case backs. Most act as a multi tool in that they also allow you to fit watch crystals. If you’ve mastered changing out watch batteries, next learn how to utilize this tool for replacing your broken and scratched watch crystals.
How to close a watch with a case press
Visit Esslinger.com’s Learning Center for more useful watch battery replacement guides.
Thanks, You do put out some info that I will be using/
I have a men’s 23 K gold circa watch, with a rectangulat enclosure and rectangular face. I purchased it in 2008. It has a basket-weave strap. I have tried five tomes to open it to replace the battery but,there is no indication, anywhere on the watch where to place the knife tool .
Thanks for sharing all these tips that will make replacing a watch battery easier. As a leading professional Watch specialist, we knew and admire all these tips that you’ve been shared here. It’s very useful to know for everyone who doesn’t know how these tips are really beneficial while replacing the watch battery on your own. But don’t try if you’re not aware of this. Consulting Watch Repairing shop near you is the best option I would recommend.