Watch Batteries

Most watches use or can use lithium batteries. While these cost more than alkaline batteries, they last considerably longer and function better in cold weather. Unfortunately, there are no reliable rechargeable watch batteries.

Replacing a Watch Battery

You can replace a watch battery in one of two ways: take it to a shop or do it yourself. Taking it to a shop is easiest and safest, particularly because opening the watch case can void a warranty, scratch it, or damage the water-resistant seal. If you damage something, you'll have to take it in for repair. However, if you don't have easy access to a professional, you trust in your dexterity with small parts, or if your watch is cheap enough that you're not concerned, you can replace your watch battery yourself.

How easy it is depends on the kind of case. Hatch or snap cases are easy to open, while screw backs require a case wrench to open and a press to close again. Cases with a rubber gasket for water resistance require a good deal of precision to get the gasket back on exactly the right way.

A snap case has some kind of tiny ledge or groove on the edge that you can snap open and shut, hence the name. A case knife makes it much easier to get the leverage to open it.

A hatch case has a notch cut into the back of the case that you can open with a thin screwdriver or even a coin.

If you don't see an obvious opening, you probably have a screw back case, which requires that special equipment.

Equipment

Before replacing the battery, gather the necessary tools:

• Case knife or similar thin blade
• Soft cloth to rest the case on or a case vise
• Plastic tweezers
• Miniature screwdriver(s)
• Case wrench
• Press for re-closing case

You'll need the case knife and soft cloth for virtually all replacements, even the easiest. Tweezers make it much easier to take the watch batteries out, though they aren't strictly necessary.

Once you have the case open, make sure to note which side of the battery is up. Unscrew any clips holding it down and remove it with the plastic tweezers. Check to make sure there's no sign of corrosion inside the battery compartment. If there is, take the watch for professional repairs, though if you're adventurous (and willing to take a bit of a risk), you can try removing it yourself with some steel wool. Put in the new watch battery with the tweezers and reclose the case.

Please be sure to recycle the battery. You can find out where online.

Selecting a Watch Battery

Energizer and Duracell have helpful online guides to finding the right replacement battery.

Even if the battery is labeled with its manufacturing date, if you buy your battery in person, ask if you can test its current charge.

The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) has designated standards for battery labels. Not all manufacturers follow these, but when they do, they make your life considerably easier.

IEC Codes

The battery should list the voltage (usually 3 volts, abbreviated 3V) and have a number that begins with two letters. The first letter stands for the specific kind of electrodes, usually C. (C is used for manganese dioxide, a fact you can now use to bring nearly any conversation to an awkward pause.) Next comes a letter indicating the battery shape, usually R for “round.”

There should be three or four numbers next, indicating the diameter and height of the battery. The diameter appears first and is rounded down to the nearest millimeter. The height is next and is rounded down to the nearest tenth of a millimeter.

The watch battery should also indicate the manufacturing date. This is a two-figure code, with the first figure a number that stands for the last number of the year. The second figure stands for the month. One through nine stand for January through September. October is the letter “O,” November the letter “Y,” and December the letter “Z.” A battery manufactured in January, 2007 would be “71,” while one made in November, 2008 would be “8Y.”

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