watch battery, luxury watches, fixing a watch Fixing a watch. Image: Unsplash
There’s every chance the all-time grail watch on your radar is a quartz one, which means at some point a watch battery is going to need to be replaced. Whether it’s a vintage battery-powered steal you bagged on eBay, a brand new Tissot PRX, or the Rolex Oysterquartz your Chrono24 addiction has led you to, at some point a bit of tender battery-related TLC is going to be on your agenda.
But when it comes to actually replacing your watch battery, it not as easy as popping some fresh AAAs into the TV remote control. Is it a DIY job, or do you need to seek out a local watch repair shop? And when is the optimal time to change your battery? Do you wait until your watch is completely dead, hold out for a service, or wing it? We speak to professionals to clear a few things up.
The obvious answer is when the battery dies, but there’s actually more to it than that. If you’ve noticed your watch isn’t keeping time like it used to (compare it to another accurate time source and see if it’s aligned. If it’s a few minutes or seconds out then it's a red flag). Or if it’s skipping time, it might be time to get a new battery.
“It is typically recommended to replace your watch battery every 18-24 months. However, it’s generally a good idea to replace it as soon as you notice signs of it running low, in order to prevent further complications such as the battery leaking,” says Oliver Pollock, managing director of Luxury Watch Repairs, Hatton Garden.
The lifespan of a watch battery can be anywhere from two and five years, depends on a few different factors. If you’re rocking a quartz chronograph like the Tag Heuer Formula 1, the battery will drain faster than a time-only model like the Cartier Tank Louis – makes sense as there are extra functions to power. If your watch has been exposed to extreme temperatures or moisture it can shorten the lifespan of your watch’s lifespan, too. “This will always depend on the size of the battery and power demands of the watch,” says Pollock.
Just like the functions of a watch can make a battery drain faster, the way you use your beloved time teller can do the same. Putting off servicing could be a bigger deal than you think. Servicing is recommended “every four to five years and if the movement has worn, it will cause the battery to drain faster,” says Pollock. Plus if you’re rocking a digital quartz ticker like a G-Shock, then “frequent use of features such as backlights, digital displays, and alarms may cause the battery to drain faster,” says Pollock.
When it comes to getting your watch battery replaced, it’s best to take it to a watch repair spot you can trust. “Replacing the battery in a luxury watch should only be carried out by expert technicians/watchmakers in a brand accredited service centre, with the correct tooling, equipment and environment,” says Pollock. “All watch brands and models require different equipment, even to just open and close or re-seal the caseback, due to the vastly different shapes and styles.
“The environment must be correct, for example clean and dust free, in order to prevent foreign particles from entering the watch during the process. Whilst it may also be tempting to let ‘anybody’ do it, the risks involved for an expensive watch can be great so it’s best to use a specialist service centre, to ensure it’s carried out correctly.”
As for the nitty gritty, it will involve the “opening of the caseback, removal of the existing battery, light clean of the movement, fitting of new battery, re-sealing of caseback, pressure and water resistance testing of the watch,” says Pollock.
The price of getting your watch battery replaced can vary, and depends where you get it done. If you follow all the steps above it shouldn’t cost you more than £60. “We recommend getting it completed within the manufacturer timescales (typically 18-24 months) as you could be saving yourself unnecessary costs in the future – particularly if the watch has completely stopped,” says Pollock. “We charge £48.”
Via GQ UK
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