Watch Battery Replacement: Should You DIY or Send to Professional Repair

Whether you have a luxury watch or a regular watch, one thing is inevitable: it will need a battery replacement sooner or later. While it’s true that batteries of high-quality watches will likely last longer, watch batteries just do not stand the test of time.

How Long Do Watch Batteries Last?

The life span of watch batteries depends on a few variables: the age of the watch and the type of watch. Of course, newer watches will have better working mechanisms and will have longer battery lives.

A typical factory-installed battery will last about 3 to 4 years because it’s new. As time passes, the watch wears down over time, the gears begin to work less smoothly, the battery becomes more drained, and a replacement battery will be needed.

Another factor to consider about a watch’s battery life is how many functions are on the watch. For example, a quartz watch with just time and date functions will not use as much battery power as a chronograph or watch with light-features.

A sure indicator that you need a new battery watch is when the watch stops working. Many watch brands will reduce battery consumption by dimming the light or making the second-hand tick less frequently. When you see these signs, it’s time for a new battery.

What Can Happen from Improper Watch Battery Replacement?

If your watch has stopped and you cannot replace it immediately, you should still remove the battery. Like most anything requiring batteries, a dead battery left unchanged can leak inside the watch and cause corrosion and moisture, leading to rust. This could ruin the entire watch.

If you decide to replace the watch’s battery yourself, remember to take the battery with you when purchasing a replacement battery. Not all watch batteries are equal.

Should You Replace Your Watch Battery Yourself?

Though replacing a watch battery can be quick and straightforward, you should remember that most watches today are made in factories with robotic equipment. These factories are clean with standards to ensure moisture and particles do not make it into the watch. For this reason, the backing of watches is tightly screwed on or pressure-fitted to prevent external pollutants from entering the watch.

If you decide to replace the watch battery on your own, make sure you change the battery in a clean, dry, and well-lit area, and make sure you wear gloves. Keep in mind that some watches may require specific tools to remove the backing or close it. Do not try to pry it open. Feel free to bring your watch into Swiss Fine Timing for professional watch battery replacement in Chicago.

Can You Help Extend the Life of Your Watch Battery?

There are some things you can do to extend the life of your watch battery. If you wear a certain watch only on special occasions, you can pull out the crown to stop it from ticking while it’s not in use. You will have to reset the proper time when you want to wear it again, but stopping the ticking helps extend battery life.

If you have a chronograph watch or a watch with an alarm function, disabling those functions, especially if you do not use them, will also extend your watch’s battery life.