How to Change a Watch Battery

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

Depending on the watch, changing the battery to get it ticking again is often a simple task that you can do at home with a few tools and the proper techniques. Going to a watch repair shop and having a specialist change the battery is expensive and time-consuming, but you most likely can do it yourself. The method for changing the battery will change based on the brand, type, and style of your particular watch. By taking the proper precautions and carefully following the correct methods, you can quickly and easily replace a faulty or dead battery in your favorite watch.

Things You Should Know

If you have a snap back or Swatch watch, insert a small flathead screwdriver or coin into the indentation and twist to pop off the watch back.
If your watch back has screws, use a small screwdriver (like an eyeglasses screwdriver) to remove each screw and pull off the back plate.
Use tweezers to gently remove the old battery. Stick the replacement battery into the empty slot and push it into place with the tweezers.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Opening a Snap Back Watch

1
Find the small indentation on the back of the watch. Turn the watch over and find the small hole or indentation that's on the side of the watch, between the watch back and the watch itself. This indentation is created specifically to help you pry off the back of the watch.
- If you can't find the indentation, scan the backside of your watch with a magnifying glass.
- Wear a pair of dust free latex gloves when replacing your battery.
2
Slip a sharp tool into the indentation. Find a tool that's small enough to fit into the indentation you discovered. Tools like a small flathead screwdriver created for eyeglasses or a small blade may fit it into the indentation.^{[1]
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3
Twist the tool to pop off the back casing. Use the blade or the screwdriver like a lever to pry up one side of the watch back. Once it comes loose, you can grab onto it with your hand to carefully remove the back of the watch.^{[2]
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4
Snap the back of the watch back into the casing. After you replace the battery, align the dials on the side of the watch with the indentations on the back of the watch. Press down heavily on the watch back until it snaps back into place.^{[3]
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- It's important to line up the back of the watch perfectly or you run the risk of damaging the watch's internal parts.
- Some watches require a watch press to reattach the back to the watch.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Removing a Watch Back with Screws

1
Unscrew the screws from the back. There should be small screws on the backside of your watch. These screws keep the back in place. To remove them, use a small screwdriver that you would use for eyeglasses and turn the screws until you can remove them from the watch.^{[4]
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- Make sure to put the small screws in a safe place, like a ziplock bag, so that you don't lose them.
2
Remove the back plate. Once you remove all of the screws from the back of the watch, the back should easily lift up. This will expose the watch battery and other internal parts in the watch.^{[5]
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3
Rescrew the screws into the back of the watch. Once you replace the battery, press the back of the watch back onto the watch and take the small screws that you removed earlier and screw them back into their holes.^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Removing the Back of a Swatch Watch

1
Locate the indentations on the back of the watch. There should be slots on the back of the watch that are big enough to fit the edge of a coin. These are created intentionally for easy opening of the watch back.^{[7]
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2
Insert a quarter into one of the slots. Place the edge of the quarter into the indentation on the back of the watch. If it doesn't fit, use a smaller coin like a penny or dime.^{[8]
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3
Rotate the coin counter clockwise. As you rotate the coin, the small screw on the back of the watch should come up and the back should disengage from the watch.^{[9]
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4
Remove the watch back. Use your hands to carefully lift up the backside of the watch. Make sure that you rotated the coin slots a full turn or the back won't come loose.^{[10]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Removing the Back of a Screw Off Watch

1
Get a ball of thumb tack or glue tack. You'll need to get a ball of a sticky thumb tack or glue that will adhere to the back of the watch and help you rotate it. You can purchase this at most arts and crafts stores or online.^{[11]
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- There are also grip-balls that are made specifically to open the back of a screw off watch.
2
Press the tack against the back of the watch. Knead the tack until it's soft and sticky. Press it hard against the back of the watch.^{[12]
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3
Twist the tack counter clockwise and twist off the back. Once the tack is attached to the back, twisting it counterclockwise should loosen the back of the watch until it's not attached.^{[13]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Replacing the Battery

1
Undo the strap and turn the watch over. It's easier to work with the watch if you're unobstructed. Undo the strap or remove the band completely and turn the watch over.^{[14]
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2
Remove the back of the watch. Four types of watch backs include snap offs, screw-off backs, swatches, and backs with screws holding them together. Examine the back of your watch to determine what kind of watch you have.^{[15]
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- Screw off backs will have notches around the edges on the back of the watch.
- Snap offs will have a completely smooth back with a small cut or indentation where the back of the watch meet and watch meet.
- Swatches will have a slot on the back where you can fit a coin.
3
Remove any clip that may be holding the battery in place. Once you remove the back, you'll be able to see the internal components of the watch. Often, there will be a something blocking the battery from slipping out. This could be a clip, retaining bar, and plastic cover.^{[16]
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- Wear a pair of dust free latex gloves when replacing your battery.
- Some watches won't have anything covering up the battery. In this case, you can skip this step.
4
Take notice of the position of the battery. Before removing the battery, take note of its position and which side is facing up. Take a look at the writing on the battery so that you know which kind you should get to replace it. The battery will be round disc that's around 3/8 of an inch (9.5 mm).^{[18]
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5
Ease the battery from the casing. Using plastic tweezers, position one side of the tweezers under the battery. Pry up with the tweezers to remove the battery from its casing.
6
Push the new battery into place. Take your replacement battery and stick it in the spot where your old battery was. Use the plastic tweezers to press it back into place. Avoid hitting or disrupting the other internal parts of the watch.^{[19]
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7
Check that the watch works before reattaching the back. If the watch is not working, you may have put the battery in backward, or it could be damaged. Double check that the battery is incorrectly installed. If it still doesn't work, consider taking it to a professional for repair.^{[20]
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Community Q&A

Question

Do I need a special tool to remove the back of my watch?

Community Answer

Usually, a very fine tip flat head screwdriver is what you need. You can get a set of fine Philips and flat drivers in what is often referred to as a "jeweler's" screwdriver set, usually for under $5.00 (US).
Question

I have a timex that I replaced the battery in, however, now I can't get the back piece to snap back on.

Community Answer

Make sure that you're properly lining up the dials on the watch before applying a lot of pressure with your fingers onto the back of the watch. You might need a special tool to apply more pressure if it's not properly snapping back on.
Question

I bought a new battery but it doesn't sit snug in the case. It worked when I held it down but when I put the cover on, it didn't work. Why would it be a wobbly fit?

Community Answer

The battery could be not right one, or the battery holder is broken. Go to a watchmaker for further help.

Things You'll Need

Plastic tweezers
Jeweler's screwdriver
Dust free latex gloves
Magnifying glass (optional)
Replacement battery

Warnings

If you have an expensive watch, consider taking it to a professional instead of replacing the battery yourself.

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