How to Change Your Own Watch Battery

It can be frustrating to realize that your watch has stopped. Most of the time, however, your watch probably just needs a new battery. Depending on the type of watch, getting your watch battery changed can be expensive. For certain types of watches, you can change the battery yourself for only a few dollars.

Check the Type of Back
To determine whether your watch is the type for which you can change the battery yourself, turn your watch around and take a close look at the back part of the watch. It will be a circle, square, or rectangle, depending upon the shape of the watch face. Now, look closely around the edges of the back. If there is a small notch, or opening, where you could fit a tiny tool to pry open the back, this is the type of watch for which you can change the battery yourself.

Pry off the Back
You will need a thin piece of metal, such as in a Swiss Army knife or other small tool. Carefully insert the prying tool into the small notch area, and pry the back off of the watch. Be careful to get a good grip in the notch, because if you don’t, the tool could slip and scratch the back of the watch.

Remove the Battery
Once you have exposed the inside workings of the watch, use your fingernail or a pair of tweezers to remove the battery. The battery is recognizable as a small round metal disk inside the watch. When you remove the battery, be careful not to move any of the other watch parts. If the battery is held in with a small screw, use a tiny screwdriver to carefully remove the screw before you take the battery out.

Locate your Battery Number
When you have removed the battery, look closely at the top of it for a number. That number is the identifier of the type of battery you will need to buy to replace it. An example would be “CR2032.” You can find these batteries, also called “button cells” at many drug stores and super stores such as Walmart. This type of battery is also used in hearing aids, laser pointers, and other small devices.

Replace the Battery
Once you have purchased your new battery, carefully place it into the spot where your old battery came out. If it was screwed in, use a tiny screwdriver to replace any parts you removed.

Replace the Watch Back
To replace the back of your watch, make sure the back cover is perfectly lined up with the watch. If there are any parts of the metal with notches or protrusions, make sure they are lined up properly with the watch itself. Place the watch face down on a soft flat surface such as a table covered with a towel. Using the force of your palm and some body weight, snap the back cover of the watch into place.

Finally, set your watch to the proper time, and you have successfully changed your own watch battery!