Our watch batteries don’t run out very often, but when they do, it can be incredibly frustrating and often our watches then end up discarded in a drawer. This is because many watch batteries can be difficult to change, or it requires a specialist tool; this is often the case if you have bought a high-end or waterproof watch. Be aware that if a high-end brand offers a watch battery replacement service, take advantage of it as it can prevent you from damaging your expensive watch! However, if your watch doesn’t necessarily need to be taken to a jeweler, you’d be surprised at how simple it can be to replace the watch battery yourself.
It’s likely that your watch battery will last a few years, but there will be a day when you look down and realize it’s stopped ticking away. When you notice this, you should first test the watch battery itself to make sure it is this component that has stopped the watch from working as it should. It could be that the battery is still working, and it is the watch itself that has something wrong with it. This can save you from unnecessarily changing the battery. Use a battery tester to do this properly.
IMAGE: PIXABAY
Finding The Correct Watch Battery
Once you know that it needs replacing, you need to make sure you find the right replacement watch battery. It would be helpful for you to make a note of the set of numbers on the original battery. Watch batteries have a number of prefixes which can help you understand the type of battery you should be looking for.
If the prefix of a watch battery code is ‘SR’, the battery is silver oxide. This is the most common type of watch battery. ‘SG’ also refers to silver oxide. Prefixes ‘L’, ‘LR’ and ‘AG’ mean that it is an alkaline battery, while ‘CR’ refers to lithium.
There is also two different 3-digit numbering system for watch batteries. One begins with the number 3, such as 377 or 364. This is a popular way to categorize the batteries and they tend to be silver oxide. The other is a system that starts with the number 1, such as 192 or 189. They are alkaline batteries.
This varied way of naming batteries can make it very difficult to recognize which one you need. Once you are familiar with this, it’s much easier to find a replacement watch battery!
Changing Your Watch Battery
There are 3 main different types of watch cases; snap, indents and screw watch cases. For a snapback watch base, you will need a flat blade that should be inserted under the raised lip of the case. Simply twist the blade until the back unclips; you can then lift off the watch case and swap the old battery for a new one.
Many watches will have small indents on the back of its case to help you remove it. You can buy a specialist removal tool, or people have been known to use scissors, a rubber ball or even duct tape. Be careful not to scratch your watch.
If your watch has small screws in the back, simply use a small screwdriver to remove them all before taking off the back case.
Make sure it is safe before you remove the watch case, protecting your fingers from blades or sharp edges. You should also take extra measures to avoid scratching the watch; many people choose to cover the precarious areas in tape.
If you are interested in even more watch-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels then we have a lot to choose from.
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