Watch Battery Replacement Near Me

by James · Published October 13, 2023 · Updated October 13, 2023

When your watch battery dies you should replace it right away. While you can often find watch batteries at stores like Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens it’s actually best to leave watch battery replacement to a watch technician especially if you have a high-end luxury watch. Below I’ll discuss where to get your watch battery replaced or changed, how it could impact a warranty, and how often you should replace it. I will also share my experience with the place that does watch battery replacement near me.

Map of Watch Battery Replacement Near Me

If you are looking for “Watch Battery Replacement Near Me”, see the locations below…

What Stores Provide Watch Battery Replacement Near Me?

Changing the battery is one of the most routine requested repairs in the industry. There are typically three types of local stores that can replace a watch battery for you and chances are you will find one of these near you that can help you fix it.

Jewelry Stores: While these jewelry stores are popular for selling rings, necklaces, and earrings, they also do minor work on men’s and women’s watches. They often have a specialist on hand who has the tools to take your watch apart and replace the battery.

Watch Repair Shops: These stores specialize in repair watches and battery replacement is an easy task for them on most watches. They will carry a wide array of watch batteries and be very knowledgeable about almost all brands. If you have a rare or unique timepiece this may be your best option for a battery swap out.

Watch Retail Stores: These stores can usually be found at a mall and they sell a few hundred different brands of watches. You might be surprised, but the workers there normally have tools to open a watch and replace a battery. They don’t always advertise the service, but it’s worth asking because many will do it and only charge you for the battery and not for labor.

Other Alternatives for Watch Battery Replacement Near Me

Walmart: You might be surprised but some Walmart’s can change your battery for you. You go to the jewelry section and ask the person behind the counter if they perform the service. This is a good service if you have a basic/common wristwatch. Most often though you will have had to purchase your watch from them.

Service Centers: You can mail your watch to an authorized service center. To find a service center for your brand of watch you can search for “your brand” + “watch repair”. Example: “Rolex Watch Repair”. You can also reference our list of service centers by brand.

Do It Yourself: Depending on the brand of watch, some batteries are easy to change yourself if you have the right tools. Typically you need a case holder, a case knife, tweezers, and a mini screwdriver. Know that if you do this, you may void your warranty. Also if you have a waterproof watch and don’t reseal it correctly you run the risk of getting water in the casing.

How Long Does Battery Replacement Take?

At the watch battery replacement near me, 99% of the time new watch battery replacement takes about 10 to 15 minutes so you can wait in the store.

Some stores will take your timepiece into the back while others will change the battery right in front of you. It’s all a matter of what kind of watch you have and what kind of tool you need.

If you have some obscure brand of watch it may take longer and they also may have to special order a new battery. For most replacements though it’s a quick and standard service.

How Much Does it Cost?

At the watch battery replacement near me, low to mid-priced watches usually have batteries that run between $8 and $10. For higher-end watches, you could spend as much as $50.

The estimated cost to replace a watch battery will vary depending on the type of battery and size of the battery. When you buy watch batteries at a store they normally come in packs so you end up paying for more than one. When you have a store do your battery replacement for you, you usually purchase one battery, but sometimes get charged for labor.

At many jewelers and watch retail stores they will do battery replacement free of charge if you purchased it from them. This often not only includes the labor for free but sometimes the battery as well.

How Often Should I Change It?

A watch battery should be changed every 1 to 3 years. You shouldn’t wait till it dies to change it either. Changing it should be part of the routine maintenance you do on your timepiece. If the battery is in your watch, you don’t want to let it sit. When an old battery dies it can leak and cause damage to the internal components of your watch.

Are There Signs a Battery is Dying?

The most common sign that indicates your battery needs to be changed is the watch losing time. You will notice in quartz watch, for example, the time will get slow. Sometimes the hands will start to stick a little. As soon as you notice an indicator like this, you should move to replace the battery before it dies.

If the Watch Stops is it Always a Battery Issue?

A dead battery is the most common issue, however it is not the only issue that would cause a watch to stop. If you have dropped your watch or banged it, something internally mechanical could have broken. If it is a digital watch, you may have just broken the digital display if there was a trauma to it.

Another issue could be that the battery contact broke. This is the piece that the battery touches in order to power the timepiece.

If My Watch is Under Warranty, is the Battery Covered?

Batteries are not normally covered under warranty. Warranties for most brands cover mechanical parts and manufacturer defects only.

What you should know though is if you have someone replace the battery at a local repair shop you could technically void your warranty if your watch is still covered. Most companies consider anyone doing repairs or any type of maintenance on a watch other than an authorized service center grounds for voiding the warranty.

It may seem like a simple task to swap it out, but timepieces have complicated internal components. Once you open the back case, you could introduce dust into into which could cause issues. If you are concerned about keeping your warranty intact, an authorized battery swap is advised.

Can You Change a Watch Battery Yourself?

Changing a battery yourself seems like an easy task. If you have an inexpensive watch or you are not concerned about voiding the warranty then give it a try. If you have a watch you love, don’t want to void the warranty, or it’s pricey my best advice is to let a pro do it.

Pro’s have the right tools that won’t scratch your watch when they remove the back casing. In addition, they operate in an extremely clean environment so that your watch does not get dust inside of it.

Dust inside your watch can damage the mechanics. It’s advisable to find a watch battery replacement near me if you have a waterproof watch. They will run a test to ensure it is sealed correctly and remains waterproof.

If you are going to try changing your watch battery yourself, you can look for special tools on Amazon. These are not professional-grade tools, but for many basic watch battery replacements, these can get the job done.

Typically you need a few tools:

Case Holder to minimize the risk of slipping and scratching the casing
Case Back Opener to open and close the case.
Knife to gently life the case off
Screwdriver to remove a piece that secures that battery down
Tweezers to take out the battery easily

Here is a video that shows you how to DIY your watch battery just using household tools.

How Do I Know What Type of Battery I Need?

For most watches, you can’t tell on the outside what kind of battery you need to replace. Your best bet is to google your brand of watch, model number, and type “replacement battery”. This should give you a list of results that match your watch.

If you don’t know the model of your watch it may be a bit more difficult. The good news is that often popular brands like Seiko, Citizen, and Fossil use the same battery type and size for many of their watches. You can always look for the closest watch battery replacement near me and ask them what kind of battery you need.

Good Chance it is a Button Cell or a Coin Cell Battery

Button cell batteries are small single-cell batteries that look like a shirt button. Ones that are wider and flatter are still button cell batteries but sometimes referred to as coin cells.

These small energy sources are designed to provide a long service life, typically well over a year in continuous use in running a timepiece. They can also be used in small electronics like thermometers, calculators, pacemakers, etc. Voltages vary and typically they are made of lithium, silver-oxide, or mercury.

Lithium cells are normally more costly than others. Some watches actually require two Lithium cells for power. This is common in a watch like a Casio with an LCD display and a stopwatch. The extra power is needed because special functions make them drain out faster.

When it comes to button cells, the brand Energizer is the most popular. Some batteries are even interchangeable. For example, a watch with a 376 or a 377 can take either. Same with batteries 396 and 3971. What I am referring to with these numbers are battery conversion charts for model numbers of different bands.

Are there Rechargeable Watch Batteries?

There are rechargeable button-cell Lithium Ion batteries. Some require a charging station, while others require solar recharge. Rechargeables have their pros and cons.

Solar charged button cells for instance can last up to 10 years. The downside though is that they are expensive (About $30 a piece) and in my experience don’t last as long as standard battery between charges.

Importance of Timely Watch Battery Replacement

When it comes to maintaining our watches, ensuring a timely watch battery replacement is pivotal. The time we read on our wrists is powered by a small, often unnoticed component – the battery. A new battery not only keeps the watch ticking but also safeguards the intricate internal mechanisms from potential damage.

Imagine you’re in the middle of a day, glancing at your watch, and realizing it has stopped working. The inconvenience caused by a dead battery could have been easily avoided had the battery been replaced on time. Regular watch repairs and battery replacements ensure that you’re never caught off guard with a non-functional watch, especially when you need it the most.

Moreover, delaying the battery replacement can lead to several issues. An old battery might leak, causing internal damage to the watch repair mechanisms and sometimes even corroding the internal parts, which might lead to more extensive watch repairs done in the future. This not only increases the cost and time involved in getting the watch repaired done but also might affect the longevity and functionality of the watch.

A trained associate or a professional from a jewelry store or watch repair shop can inspect the watch, perform a thorough inspection, and install a new battery, ensuring that the watch continues to function optimally. They can also test the watch post-installation to guarantee and test its accurate time-keeping and overall functionality.

In conclusion, by ensuring that your watch battery is replaced at regular intervals by professionals. You safeguard the timepiece against potential issues, ensuring that the watch continues to serve its purpose – accurate time-keeping. So, it’s always wise to keep track of when your watch might need a new battery and get it replaced promptly to avoid any hassles or additional costs in the future.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Watch Repair Shop

When your watch stops ticking, finding the right place to get the battery replaced can be a tad tricky. There are numerous factors to ponder upon to ensure your timepiece is in safe hands. Let’s delve into some pivotal aspects to consider when opting for a watch repair shop.

Expertise and Experience

The jewelry repair industry is vast, and among them, some specialize in watch repair. It’s imperative to choose a store where the team has substantial expertise and experience in replacing watch batteries and other intricate tasks.

A well-operated shop with seasoned professionals can accurately determine and fix the issue, install the necessary parts, and ensure your watch is running smoothly once again.

Customer Reviews and Reputation

In the digital age, online reviews are a treasure trove of information. Scour through customer feedback and see the answers provided by the shop to customer queries or complaints.

This can give jewelers and you a sneak peek into how well they assist their clientele and the potential issues you might face. A store with stellar reviews and a solid reputation in jewelry and watch repair is likely to offer satisfactory services.

Pricing and Warranty

The estimated cost of getting your watch battery replaced or replaced can vary widely from one shop to another. It’s prudent to inquire about the pricing before you pay for any services.

Additionally, always ask about the warranty on the repair work. A guarantee on the replaced parts or a guarantee on the repair work ensures that you are not paid twice for the same issue in case it recurs.

Proximity and Convenience

While there are numerous watch repair shops located in various regions, choosing one that is located near your residence or workplace offers added convenience. Proximity means you can easily drop by for an inspection, ask questions, or pick up your watch without going out of your way.

Services Offered

Different watch repair shops might offer varied services. Some watch repairs that might specialize in replacing batteries, while others might offer comprehensive services, including jewelry repair, replacing bulbs, and more.

Ensure the store you choose not only replaces the battery but can also assist with other potential issues like stem repair or strap replacement. Some shops might also offer to ship your watch back to you, providing an added layer of convenience.

In conclusion, whether you bought your watch online or from physical jewelers. Ensuring it gets the best care during repair is crucial. Balancing expertise, cost, convenience, and quality of service will ensure your watch is timely and accurately repaired, keeping it ticking beautifully for years to come.

Popular Watch Batteries at Amazon

If you buy a package of batteries on Amazon or any store, check the expiration date on the package. Sometimes sellers will send you expired batteries or soon to expire batteries.

This will mean that when you get them they will have already have reduced life and possibly a lower voltage count than you thought.