DIY Battery Replacement in Watches
- Chelsea Stolte
- Sep 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 16
Did grandma give you a box of old watches and jewelry? Maybe a random stranger? Possibilities are endless. Either way. Odds are, those watches will need a new battery. I have a video below walking through a watch replacement kit, and some notes to keep you from making the mistakes I did.
Watch Batter Replacement
So where do we start? Don't let watches scare you. There are a couple ways to replace batteries, and on top of it.... if you are lucky with a Timex watch for example.. you just turn them to re-start the watch - no batteries needed! I accidentally opened two of these, the internal mechanics were absolutely brilliant.
******: Watches seen are all for sale across my platforms, website, Etsy, Ebay. Check them out! Are you local to Hancock and in need of a battery replacement? Send me a message and I will see what I can do to source a battery and get it replaced for you. I have plenty of new batteries laying around for watches.
~ DIY With Chelsea
Notes Before Starting:
Note 1: The first question you should ask yourself, is it worth it? A battery is only about .20-.50 cents apiece but there is a chance after all that work getting the backing off the watch won’t start ticking, or you break the front of the watch (personal experience) installing the battery and trying to close again. Some sports watches (Timex- Ironman) have more of a complicated battery replacement with stickers and little metal pieces you need to keep and transfer to the next battery.
Note 2: What are the ways around breaking the front? Don't use a vice. Rather line up where it was originally - I go by the timing hand and where I pried the back off. Worse case, you will have to order a new face for your watch. Which, once again is cheap, but you have to have a minimum order QTY and pay shipping, so it DOES add up and gives you reason to try your absolute best NOT to hurt the face of the watch.
Note 3: Last question, do you have yourself a proper kit to help you with this installation? Any basic watch repair kit should have the tools needed. A little screwdriver kit, a prying tool, mallet and the rest would be to open fancy face watches, which you might need... and a tool to help you remove metal links or the watch bands. Once again, all basic things that come in the kit. If you don't use them now, you will later on.
Steps to Open Backing
Identify the tab you need to pry at.
Gently start using your tool, if the tool is too chunky there are some thinner flat head screwdriver bits you can get underneath. If it has been removed before you might even be able to use your fingernail and wiggle it off. If this is causing a problem, try to put the watch in your vice provided by the kit.
Identify Your Battery. If you have multiple watches, I would suggest opening them all to make sure you have the right assortment of batteries.
Note: Before removing you need to be very careful as to how you remove battery, there are internal components not to be touched. This watch has a little gold arm that you can pry back with your fingernail and it will pop right out. Some have a plastic tab that you need to be careful with as it is fragile and can break.
Where to order the batteries? Your local dollar store might have them, at a higher price. If you have Amazon Prime.. that is how I get mine.
(Feel free to come back when your battery arrives) - :)
The Battery Replacement:
Notes:
The battery should be face up with the number visible, 377 for example.
If you do not hear a ticking when holding up to your ear, try another battery or double check you installed it properly. You have a 50/50 chance here. Do this before putting your backing back onto the watch.
Check if you pulled and press the time setting knob in and out. When you set the watch it is not ticking, when you push it in, you will see or hear the ticking begin.
What if my watch does not start ticking or moving?
Did you press in the timer knob?
Did you try another new battery?
You have a dud! Not really, but a timing mechanism or piece inside might be broken. This is up to you to take it a step further, as your tool kit is for mechanical fixes, but not intricate mechanical fixes like the seconds arm. In this case you can either accept your loss if it is a low cost watch or take it to a professional with the right tools to adjust or fix the problem causing it not to work.
I hope everyone gets their favorite watch back up and running! Thank you for reading.
~ DIY With Chelsea
9.7.2025
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