How often should you replace a watch battery?

How often you will need to change your battery will vary as there are different types of watches and movements but the easy way to get a quick answer for your watch is to contact us direct. Freephone 0800 0291 953 or fill out an easy assessment form at the bottom of this page. As a general rule you should expect around 3 years from a battery fitted correctly. See more below

What to look for when having a watch battery changed.

Quality batteries

Anyone fitting a battery to your watch should be willing to guarantee the work and the battery. Renata Swiss made batteries are considered the best in the industry and are the go to for any quality repairer. A reputable repairer will fit a quality battery to all watches, from Casio to Omega.

Watch Resealing

Resealing is a very important part of the battery process. All watches designed with a seal should be resealed when having the battery replaced. Sealing a watch is not just for water resistance, it stops all contamination from entering the case and helps the watch perform to the level it should, which in turn makes the battery last longer.

Is the repairer well equipped?

Battery replacement cannot be completed correctly in 5 minutes while you wait, there is just too much involved when it’s done the right way. A good repairer will be equipped for all requirements when it comes to changing a battery and it’s rare they should need to order anything or send a watch away. From a selection of replacement gaskets to the most unusual batteries, they should have it all.

Why some watches last longer than others.

There are lots of different reasons why some watches may last longer than others before needing a new battery and it can be as simple as running a chronograph and not being aware of it to a complex repair history and service requirements or it could just be that one watch is designed to last longer than another. Below will give you some of the common reasons why there is such a difference in how long a battery lasts.

Different types of batteries

There are lots of different battery types designed to fit watches and they are all designed to operate in different ways. When it comes to watch batteries you definitely get what you pay for. 1.5v Silver Oxide and Alkaline batteries most commonly used in the watch industry but there are also 3v Lithium batteries. Sliver oxide batteries run a full power for the duration their life while alkaline slowly lose power over their life. Lithium batteries tend to be much larger in size and are used to power watches that require more power for lights, alarms etc. We suggest you choose Silver Oxide where possible.

Different types of watch

Some watches are specifically designed to last longer, usually the watch will have this written on it somewhere to tell you if this is the case, most likely on the dial. Some watches have movements, that when combined with the right battery they will last 10 years. Some watches have rechargeable batteries. Outside of these specifically designed watches there are two main types of Quartz movements (battery operated) and these are Swiss made and Japanese made. There are distinct differences between the two and both operate to a different specification.

Use of additional functions

As technology advances so do the functions available on watches. With lights, compasses, thermometers, chronographs and a whole lot more gadgets watches today need more power than ever. Unfortunately the battery technology has not kept up and the use of these extra functions mean you get less and less time from your watch battery so it is very important you always fit the best. Also understanding how your watch functions can help. All to often we hear customers saying their battery has not lasted only to find out the chronograph has been running constantly draining the battery power. Knowledge is power.

A key piece of advice is to make sure you find a repairer that you trust and always use the same company/person to complete your work. Make sure your watch is well maintained and serviced regularly. A watch is like anything with moving parts, they need maintenance work from time to time. Having a repair agent you can trust will ensure you do not get oversold on any repair.

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