The mini panic attack you may experience when you think you're running late is easily the worst part of a watch battery dying. Your timepiece gets stuck where it is, displaying an inaccurate time until it gets fresh power. Once you realize what's happened, your next move is to replace the battery as soon as possible.
While some watches have a unique process, you can generally change your Timex watch battery the same way you would most timepieces. Here's how:
Take it to an expert
If you doubt your ability to change your watch battery, don't worry. There are plenty of jewelers who would be happy to replace the precious part for you. Prices for this service will vary depending on the jeweler, so you may want to inquire at several stores before committing. However, once you find a jeweler or watch repair professional you can trust, we recommend heading back there whenever you need a reliable fix.
Do it yourself
You'll need tweezers and a small screwdriver to remove the dead battery and replace it with the new one. Safety note: it is suggested using plastic rather than metal tools to avoid an electrical shock. Wearing gloves can also prevent damage from occurring inside the watch. Once you have the materials, follow these steps to change your watch battery like a pro:
1. Remove the watch back
Most modern watches have snap-off back panels, which have small indentations to help you carefully pry off the cover. Using a small flathead screwdriver or blade, press down on the indentation and twist until the cover comes loose. If your watch back is secured with screws, use a small screwdriver, such as one designed for eyeglasses, to loosen the screws and remove the cover. Some watch backs have slots large enough to fit the edge of a coin, which you can use to twist off the cover.
2. Place the gasket to the side
If you see a rubber ring or plastic covering, remove that from the watch case to reveal the inner workings of the timepiece. Use tweezers or the edge of a knife if you need help getting a strong grip. Battery Depot recommended cleaning the gasket before you put it back after changing the battery.
3. Find and remove the battery
Once you see the existing battery, note which side is facing upward so you can replicate the placement when you insert the new part. If there are plastic clips holding the battery in place, use plastic tweezers to lift them. From there, you can use the tweezers to ease the battery out of the watch case.
4. Insert the new battery
Use the tweezers to place the new battery in its designated slot, and gently press down to secure its position.
5. Test your work
Before reattaching the back cover, carefully flip the watch over to see if it's working. If the hands still aren't moving, double check to make sure you installed the new battery correctly. You may have a damaged battery or faulty watch if it still fails to work, so consider taking the timepiece to a jeweler or watch repair store for a professional examination.
6. Replace the gasket and watch back
If the battery's working, perform the first two steps in reverse order to put all the parts back in place. With a fresh battery, your watch will be ready to wear once again. Better still, now that you know how to replace the batteries, you can confidently add more watches to your repertoire. Check out the Timex collection to find your next timekeeping companion.
