Practical Guide for Beginners and Enthusiasts
Opening your watch may seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and a little patience, you can do it yourself. Not only will this save you money, it will also add a personal touch to your watch care. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of how to safely open a watch and replace its battery.
1. Prepare your equipment
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary tools. Here's what you'll need:
- A piece of transparent plastic film of several layers or thickness to protect from scratches. Before opening place the film on the case.
- A small flat screwdriver for screw-on watches (screw-on back)
- A jaxa key with jaws for notched cases (notches) or a watch case opener with jaws.
- A soft brush (for cleaning the inside of the watch)
- Anti-magnetic tweezers (if you have to handle sensitive components)
- A new battery suitable for your watch model
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A soft cloth (to avoid damaging the dial or leaving marks)
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Batteries: https://masar-shop.com/collections/piles
2. Identify the type of back of your watch
Watches can have different types of backs: screwed, clipped ~ pressure. Before you start disassembling, it is essential to understand what mechanism you are going to face.
- Screwed bottom : You will need to use a small screwdriver to unscrew the bottom or jaw tools.
- Notched screwed back : Use the jaxa jaw key or a watch case opener with jaw.
3. Open the watch case
- For screw-in cases : Place your watch upside down and carefully insert a small flathead screwdriver into the screw slots. Gently turn counterclockwise to unscrew.
- For notched screw-down cases : Place your watch upside down and gently adjust the jaw tool, then anchor the jaws and turn the watch base.
4. Remove the old battery
Once the back of the watch is open, you will be able to see the compartment containing the battery. Simply remove it with the anti-magnetic tweezers to avoid any short circuit or damage.
5. Replace the battery
Take the new battery and place it in the same direction as the old one. Make sure it is inserted correctly and makes good contact with the connectors. Some watches may need to reset the time after changing the battery, so keep that in mind.
6. Replace the back of the watch
Once the new battery is installed, it is time to close the case. If your watch has a screw-down case back, screw it in gently by hand, without forcing, and then use the appropriate tool.
If the bottom is clipped, make sure it is securely in place and press firmly to lock it.
It may be necessary to plan to change the seals.
7. Test the watch
Before you finish, make sure the watch is working properly. Check that the hand is moving and that the display is stable. If you have a model with additional settings, adjust the time and date if necessary.
8. Cleaning and maintenance
After changing the battery, it is always a good idea to gently clean the case and dial of the watch with a soft cloth. This will remove dust and fingerprints. If you have opened a waterproof watch, it is recommended to test the water resistance before wearing it in water again.
Additional tips:
- Be gentle : Your watch case can be fragile, especially if it's a vintage or luxury model. Be careful not to scratch or break any parts.
- Choose the right battery : Check the battery part number before purchasing a new battery. Wrong choice may cause malfunctions.
- Keep tools safe : Watch opening tools are small and can easily get lost. Keep them in a dedicated box.
Conclusion
Changing a watch battery is a relatively simple task once you have the right tools and follow the steps carefully. It can also be an opportunity to breathe new life into a watch that would otherwise have been unusable. With a little practice, you can perform this task on your other watches, saving time and money.
