How To Change A Watch Battery - Watch and Learn #43

[@Brainstorm4300]

Just a PSA as an electrical engineer guys, never touch both sides of the button cell with a metallic tweezer. The side with the writings is positive and the other side is negative. When you touch both sides with the tweezer it creates a short circuit that pulls a lot of current from the battery which these button cells are not designed to do thereby damaging them. Although due to the chemistry of these batteries, it's not possible to draw a lot of current from these button cells, it is not advisable to short them as that does damage the performance of the battery. Also, to be over the top careful, wear a earthing wrist strap before touching the movement. Guys living in cold weather, we build up a lot of static due to the clothes and shoes we wear so ground yourself before working on any electronics as a rule of thumb.

[@driesschreurs6828]

As another (energy) engineer, this is exactly what I was about to say in the comment section.

[@claudea79]

This is exactly what came to mind when I saw metal tweezers used to pickup the battery.

[@brianmsahin]

Good advice. I've always gone with a plastic tweezers 👍

[@jabaz7717]

can i use ceramic tweezers?

[@deepb249]

@@brianmsahin where to get plastic tweezers and which one?

[@darsupergirl]

You speak so distinctly, nice & slow, so easy to follow. Pleasant fellow. I have learned so much already! Thank you!

[@NanaMathers]

Changing my boyfriend's watch battery for his birthday and struggled a lot because there was no place I could put the screw in to open the cap. Then I found out about this video and I finally managed to open the cap. I'm so thankful!

[@misterman1371]

Wish someone gave me a battery for my birthday

[@gtaylor2770]

In lighting, close focus, and explanation, you are the gold standard for internet how-to videos. Thank you.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks so much, I appreciate that.

[@kiddeucewardsnowden_bd]

@@islandwatch awesome video, just what I needed! I had an important question, you know when replacing a quartz battery, some watches like mine have a coating on the front face but when unscrewing the back of the watch, will that effect that blue-ish coating at all?

[@barry1567]

@@islandwatch oil A

[@JSpintoplace]

@@islandwatch ⁰

[@marcfujimura5708]

@@islandwatch ⁷⁷ is that ⁷7⁷%%%90!+

[@michaelmilauskas1588]

I knew it couldn't be brain surgery and you showed that it isn't. This is great! I have a ton of watches that need batteries and now I'm confident I can do it myself. I also just got a kit with tools for all this and I want to try it out. Thanks so much for such a detailed video!

[@erikassadauskas2759]

You have a Lithuanian last name, if you didnt already know

[@philipbrailey]

That little notch on the caseback I was unaware of. Thank you so much.

[@ttbo12]

I was able to change the battery in my watch after seeing this video. Thank you for the useful information.

[@kirstinmorrell]

Thanks, bud. You just got me out of a pickle. I could not figure out how the heck to get the battery out of my watch, and you suggested that yours was spring loaded and demonstrated it, and mine look different but was pretty much the same. Thank you!

[@hmgrffn19]

A Cooper grad, I knew there was something else about how good these videos are.

[@johnkem2630]

Thanks Mark. I have the same Junkers / Ronda watch that I bought from you and just changed the battery while watching this video. Still running well.

[@DesertApe]

Great tutorial! I appreciate how streamlined the instructions are

[@MrRafatat]

I found your video, and finally changed the battery in my watch!!! Thank you a lot!!!

[@readventurekids]

I think I discovered the best way to save money on batteries. Twenty years ago I started taking the batteries out of my watches, only putting them back in when I wanted to know the time. I've not had to by new batteries since 2002.

[@joeward117]

Thank you. Great example of someone who is in the business and really knows what they are doing. Thanks again.

[@sparkyblazeup1]

When not wearing your quartz watch, pull out the stem to shut the watch off and save the battery. This works on many quartz watches.

[@trubadyr99]

Great and useful for enthusiasts work you have done again, man! Hats off! I think that rubber gloves, not the knit gloves are the best for this job as well as for lots of other watch handling instances. Kind of making your beloved ball useless so I don't know if you'd agree with the rubber gloves and give the ball up :) Make sure your gloves are the premium and powder-free kinds. You really had to go an extra step and not use metal tweezers in this educational video. Also: it would help to visualize the back lid placement before taking it off to make sure back is put back on tight and even after the battery replacement.

[@Ken-dv9uf]

Thanks Mark! I've been waiting on this tutorial for some time. I have about 40 watches and about half are quarts so this tutorial will come in handy in the future, Not sure if I brave enough to tackle the batteries that have screws holding them down yet. Those screws are real small.

[@islandwatch]

Yes, and they pop out like slingshots!

[@andymilon6076]

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[@BarnOwl61]

Hallo Mark Big fan of yours! I just have changed a lot of batterys myself. Learned from KZbin and just went for it. The tricky ones are always the watches with pop caseback. In the past years I broke two glasses, one from a Seiko with a pop caseback and one from a real cheap watch. I just couldn't apply even pressure and crackt it. Man big disappointment, bought a press now. Still no fan of pop caseback. Just one little thing you forgot to mention. There are a lot of movements that won't start after changing the battery. I've had that with Seiko and Casio watches. It is not broken, you just have to use your tweezers and put it on the point in the watch movement that is marked for it and then the battery. Then it wil start running again.

[@islandwatch]

Yes, on those you have to short to the terminal on the movement. Like a final step that nobody tells you!

[@williamjobson3092]

It's April of 2020, and one of my Coronavirus stay-at-home activities is replacing dead watch batteries. (some watches surfaced when rearranging my sock drawer, (another self-isolating activity!) BTW that Junkers movement is near identical to my '90s Bulova. Thanks for this.

[@soggz4246]

Thanks. I’ve now bought both my old ‘90’s Animal surf watches back to life!

[@andyclark1173]

Thanks Mark. Now going to change the battery on my Zeppelin Hindenburg. Looks the same movement. Never know a quartz low battery warning mode displaying the second hand doing four second jumps. Thanks again .

[@tantaluss68]

I got a fossil automatic quartz highbred and I can't find anything on how to replace the battery

[@dinhdonh]

thank you for this video! almost did as you predicted and tried to unscrew that little lever for the second watch demoed. very glad I didn’t have to

[@MOGGS1942]

A million thanks for this very helpful video. I have just changed the battery on a Lorus which has been lying in a draw for years. Being rather cack handed, it wasn't easy, but I did it, and saved myself quite a tidy sum in £'s.

[@robnation2475]

This may sound silly but this technique works really well (for me): To pop the back on my Bulova(s) 98E000 and 96E03 (battery replacement "renata 395") I found that a flat carpenter's pencil works well. Helps to be standing up. I put the watch face down on a mouse pad and work the back cover from the bottom up with my thumbs opposing each other on the flat side of the pencil. Need to keep constant pressure on it as you slowly press and slide the pencil. No need to pull apart a watch band either! By the way, don't work to close to the edge of a table or desk so you don't launch your watch onto the floor.

[@richardrecker575]

Watched this before changing the battery on my Hemel...very helpful. Thanks!

[@barrettwbenton]

Great video, Marc...and pretty much illustrated why I largely gave up on quartz, save for one solar-powered number (Casio Edifice, replacing a Citizen Eco-Drive that got clobbered in a bad fall I took over a year ago). If I told you how many *non*-cheap quartz watches I've owned that were essentially butchered by various and sundry jewelers' shops over the last two decades (the biggest three-word lie emblazoned in front of these shops is "WATCHMAKER ON PREMISES"), the sum total of those watches would've much more than paid for that Torneau your folks so nicely gifted you with. 'Course, mechanicals are far more interesting to me anyway.

[@islandwatch]

Very true; thanks for watching!

[@tardis9905]

Very helpful! Thanks for taking the time to make and post this video.

[@wainedodd8055]

Thanks Mark. I hate flying blind. So thumbs up for the walk through.

[@hlobend2111]

Excellent tutorial ! Had it all. Audio. Video. Angles/Lighting.

[@TheWilferch]

Just a quick question....and recognizing you already mentioned the "caution" of using metal tweezers...when you handle the new watch battery and hold it with the tweezers on the top and bottom surface.....aren't you completing the "circuit" and can this yield a "short"? Obviously you did this for all 3 watches and nothing bad happened, but just asking as to proper way to go on this? Probably plastic tweezers, right?

[@mrslipper7531]

You might get it up your bum on accident

[@grettahucht5617]

Very helpful! I have an Invicta divers watch that I was able to change the battery on using your video. Thank you!

[@vicever08]

The battery was shorted by the metal tweeter, does that hurt the battery life?

[@tommasi8424]

Excellent tutorial. Very thoughtful step by step instruction with tools needed and appropriate notes of caution to avoid mistakes. Thank you.

[@mal74]

I got two watches working again this evening, thanks!

[@what9443]

Great video, thanks. I'm going to give it a try. I too have lots of old watches with dead batteries!

[@KadeersTV]

Well Done!!! I Appreciate the Well In-Depth Instructional Video!!! It Was Very Helpful Indeed... Kadeers!!!

[@michaelwhite5255]

Thanks for this video Mark, lots of helpful info. I removed the back of a cheap quartz watch yesterday , Removed the dead battery and snapped the back on. Unable to get the back off today for the new battery. Can’t see any notch for leverage, a very tight fit. Hope I will succeed with the proper tools.

[@reknad07]

Thank you for this video! Really sabes me a lot of money on repairs!

[@a.littlefaith]

Is it true using metal tweezers to replace a battery can discharge the battery some? I saw another video where the repairman said that can happen, and that plastic tweezers are recommended.

[@stusims6567]

Thanks for a great tutorial on something I need to do right now!!! It makes me realize that I’m NOT going to attempt this! I’m old and on a lot of meds, so my hands are to shakey to even attempt this on one of my favorite watches! I would shake at the wrong time, and that would be the end of my little Bulova diver!!! 🥴🤮😪

[@FlankerTanker]

I have watches that have battery change instructions that instruct me to short out the (+) of the battery with a Brass dot on the movement - the dot might have an arrow or letter or (+) next to it - you do not cover this type in the video have you done it in another video - ?? if so can you let me know which as i am unable to find one - thanks

[@andrewjansen9702]

I have two watches that have been frozen for a while. My uncle Phil used to be the watch expert in my family. He passed last December. Rest In Peace Phil. We love you.

[@joypatriarca1730]

Great tutorial!! Thank you. Now i can change the old batteries.

[@one-o-four889]

Very useful video. But what do you have to do with watches that require to “shorten the ‘+’ and ‘AC’? Found that in some watches, can’t figure out what that means or what I have to do. Any info would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[@nemo227]

Thanks for the last minute cautions. I just replaced the battery in my late mother-in-law's Lindenwold wrist watch. If we're going to keep a keepsake we should keep it running. Now, can you come to California and put my Sunbeam automatic toaster back together?😇

[@elianasmith6330]

Thank you a lot for this video. This is very interesting and informative. Keep posting like those amazing videos, this is awesome.

[@roseg.466]

You are bad to the bone. I watched 3 other videos and yours was the one that clicked in my head. 👐🙌🙌👏👏🙏🤝💝

[@MrFlex-eq3sg]

Your videos ay so helpful thank you sir from philippines. An average watch collector here

[@andrzejguzik4629]

Thaks for your videos

[@fbloom]

Is it important for the lever to be touching certain parts of the watch? Because I kind of bent it (to replace a battery) and now my watch has stopped ticking. Is there any way to fix it?

[@hrs.ai2018]

would open the back case will void/reduce its water resistant ability?

[@brandenalexander6038]

I tried to replace the battery on my Cartier Baignoire but was unsuccessful. The movement was like the 3rd variation on the video but I can’t take the watch face out because there wasn’t a space at the crown area to pull the watch face out. I tried removing the stem but can’t find the release

[@roberthatcher2037]

I've got two Bulova watches with pop-backs but neither has a notch. I've tried everything to get the back off to no avail. What can I do?

[@giovannidomenech4321]

Wow I’m doing my first one tonight cause of you! Thanks so much for this excellent tutorial 🙏

[@ronwhite1397]

Great video

[@dannysimenauer5745]

Thanks Mark, this video is very informative!

[@yoheff988]

Maybe you can help: When opening my watch to replace the battery I discovered that a very small metal part (L shaped, that's the part that makes the contact between the battery and the watch) broke. DO YOU KNOW THIS PART NAME AND WHERE TO BUY THEM? Thanks

[@victorthompson123]

Thanks for this video, helpful, clear instruction and clear video resolution.

[@Chucktinez]

What happens to the watch if you put a 373 where it should only take 371? I did this and it works fine but will it be damaged later on?

[@alschmidt8963]

Hi Mark; how do I get a case back off to change the battery when my tools are too big ?....any house hold items that work, i don't want to scratch the back.

[@soulsphere1749]

My watch has the same movement as your Junkers. Wasn’t sure what that retention spring was and initially was going to just pry the battery out with force. SO glad I caught your video here Marc, you kept me from killing my watch!

[@bhavnasookmanee1877]

Very useful tips specially during the Lockdown. Thanks for sharing

[@lingalingaratnam680]

Thank you very much. It's very useful.

[@amifeeth]

Yay! I finally did it!! Thank you so much for this helpful video !

[@bgregg55]

I can remember those old radio shack days. They always wanted your name & address for any purchase. Cant say I miss them.

[@philipjc1]

I was telling my pool supply store the same thing. Seems every time I purchase or have my pool water analyzed they ask me for my phone #. Now I give them 0123456789.

[@antoniobarchi6036]

in the junkers one, can I ask you what is the little red piece of thin plastic under the battery, and if it is important? I was replacing battery on my old watch, which also needed a clean and accidentally the little piece of plastic fell out. Do I have to replace it too?

[@SPIKEOPS82]

What was the little red film under the battery

[@michaelashdown4985]

Thanks very much just changed the battery on my daughters watch :)

[@mustng9646]

Finally a video that shows the arm. Good clear video. Can you do a Movado . Having trouble with their arms. A little different .

[@JohnClarkW]

That Junkers with the candy cane hands is really cool. Even a couple of battery replacements can justify the cost of a simple watch tool kit. I resize bracelets for about a half dozen people, the irony is that I don't have to resize them for myself ( most bracelets fit out of the box ), so I just micro adjust down if needed.

[@islandwatch]

Thank you.

[@TomPerrine]

For pushing batteries down into place, a the eraser on a pencil works pretty well. Better than hard, slippery tweezers or fingers and won't slip into the movement.

[@islandwatch]

Good idea, nice.

[@1491Alan]

Legend! So simple!! Thank you 😊

[@jaggermurlin6343]

Where do you get a ball like you used in on second watch

[@a.littlefaith]

I forgot to ask where would I be able to buy a case back knife (i think that is what you called it) the little knife you opened the back with? Thanks :)

[@Kateydid18]

Amazon

[@calgaryying6151]

Hi there. I have a Miansai M24 with a snapback case but after removing to change the battery, for the life of me, i cant snap it back close. I'm running out of ideas and hoping you can give me some advice please.

[@iliasnitsas3968]

How can i remove the stem of mwc g10 ss quartz?Or replace battery of this watch(cr2016).Any tip?

[@maximushornet]

Should do a challenging one like a gshock 2100 which has 2 and needs a reset

[@Raghav-ww1bt]

Do they remain waterproof after the procedure?

[@PBegich]

No, they are no longer waterproof once the case is opened. The nitrogen has to be replaced. Better left to experts.

[@jextejt]

With your help I put a new battery in my Fossil in about 5 minutes ... THANKS!!!

[@christopherbrunson5799]

Are you using special tweezers? If those are standard stainless tweezers than you are shorting the battery out, draining it and damaging the battery.

[@philipbrailey]

Great. Very helpful. Thanks for posting.

[@thesummertune]

Hello, i changed batteries or two watches, a pocket type and a wrist watch, they are practically new but old or never used before, their batteries were died, unfortunately neither of them works! i've used new batteries of two different brands. What can be the problem with both of them? the contacts on the watches seem ok.

[@ranevc]

Genius! And witty. Thanks a lot!

[@RG-hf4et]

Does the witing on the battery always go up? I'm clueless. :)

[@geneisabell3508]

Hi Mark ! I've been searching the internet for help and advice regarding a Swiss Army watch and ran across your video. A 2 different times, you can see in your video what exactly I need help with. Some background. I've changed this battery a number of times over the last 22 years and never had a problem. This time, it looks like something broke and I'm not sure what to call the part. You can see the part in question at 11:42 when removing the battery and again at 12:05 when putting in the new one. That pointy gold or brass colored arm that sticks out from the side on which the battery rests, what is that called? It seems the one in my watch broke off and upon closer examination of the break point, there appears to be a blueish color, like when a battery goes bad and corrodes. The battery I removed doesn't have any type of corrosion on it so I'm not sure how it could have happened. In any case, what do you call that arm, or how should I reference it to a repair shop? Is that something that can be repaired or is the watch a lost cause? Thanks so much for your time and feedback. Have a great weekend!

[@brucewayne3843]

Expert and pleasant lesson.

[@daguerrson]

Am a beginner in watch repair. My problem is, I was able to reassembled an Armitron day-date wristwatch, readjusted the time and day but the date cannot be rolled no matter how I tried many times. What is the problem?

[@PrettyWhiteLady]

Thank you! Watch WORKING 😊

[@markplayford5836]

Might even have a go myself next time. Thanks Mark 😃

[@islandwatch]

Good luck!

[@PBCSandMarci]

So i changed the battery and now i hear the ticking if i put it up to my ear but the second pointer thing isnt actually moving

[@buzzufy]

Thanks for this very informative video Mark! I have learned a lot and its easy to follow. 👌😊

[@rakankhateib3243]

Hallo thank you for this video, please can you tell me what size this coil or number for this watch Thanks for you

[@carmenxena]

Like I said before. Your videos are very informative!

[@ijustwatchyoutube1242]

What type of ball are you using where can I find that please

[@marcisaacs9407]

Ok have a fossil watch and changed out the battery 123 but the back with o ring will not pop back on. Done many watches, no issues but finally this tricky dog. Thoughts?

[@mikejamieson4252]

My Hamilton khaki has a piece of black film under battery that is ripped what is that and how do I order a replacement? Also there is a bit of green corrosion how do I remove that thnx

[@chrisstoddern4462]

I have two quartz watches with snap off back cover that don't appear to have a grove and the back won't come off. I've done this process easily on a watch that has a back groove. For watches that need case back wrench where can i buy one. Cheers

[@2cartalkers]

Nope, my Lilienthal (made in Berlin, Germany) has 3 screws on the back. Do the screws hold the back on?

[@paulwilkinson1738]

I know this is an old video but hopefully someone can help, i have a pulsar 100m chronograph and when the shop changed a battery it lasted 2 month then stopped working took it back and he said the battery is still good so watch has stopped because of another reason but reckons it would cost more than the wat h is worth to repair so advised against it, i normally mess about with watches myself and i think theyve done something to it and i want to know if i can get it working myself

[@sandancer45]

Have you ever come across one like the second watch back, it looked like a screw-off back but in actual fact was a pop of back like the first watch, this is my watch and sometimes not all batteries have the same number on the back depending on where you bought it.

[@stevenbollinger9776]

Great video! Have you done a video showing how to change batteries in G-Shocks? I gather it's much harder to open up those indestructible G-Shock cases, than the cases on most watches.