How-To: Change A Battery On A Timex Weekender Quartz Snap Caseback Watch With Household Items 

Check out my latest Timex review! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-35rWcZFvyII.htmlsi=VIYLrdYtrreJYmS_

I spent a number of years in the jewelry business, I was always kind of the watch specialist in the store and did all the battery replacement when I was in the store, I have a couple of details I can point out to improve the video. #1 NEVER touch the battery with your fingers! The oils and acids in your skin will cause slight corrosion, substantially shortening the life of the battery, those tiny batteries don't have the capacity to overcome that corrosive residue. Use a clean tissue to handle the battery, the battery makers recommend using PLASTIC tweezers (never metal) to handle them. If you do touch the battery, clean it off with alcohol, and its a good idea to clean the battery terminal in the watch with a tiny bit of alcohol also. Use a dull knife to remove the case back for safety, you don't want to get cut, and you don't want to damage a good knife. You can normally snap the back on with your thumbs, your foot method is a last resort, too likely to damage the watch. Coming back from lunch, I caught one of my employees using metal tweezers on a watch battery, creating a dead short between the + & - terminals of the battery, so we had to throw that new battery out since she shorted it out, things like that happen when a store takes your watch out of sight to replace it, except they probably won't replace it and the new battery won't last but a month or two. That or they will put their fingers all over it, cutting the battery life in half, that's a couple of the reasons why I always do my own battery replacement!

Your bottle cap idea is BRILLIANT! After countless attempts with pliers, I was about ready to toss my favorite watch because we couldn't get the back on and found your method here. It worked first try. Thank you!!!

This helped greatly! 3 tips from doing the change. 1. Use a jewelry screw driver to open -- you can buy one for a few $. When I first tried a knife, it slipped and scratched the case. Jewelry screwdriver fits well and no issues. 2. Wear nitrile gloves. They prevent oil and corrosion on the battery, making it last longer. Super cheap at store. 3. For the bottle cap, first fit the back of the watch on partially, so some of it sinks into the grove, with the rest slanted slightly above final resting position. Then step it. Trying to snap the whole thing at once didn't work at first, until I aligned the back. Snapping it back together was a snap, literally. Hope this helps someone else!

Thank you! I had it all figured out except how to reattach the back of the case. Your method of stepping on a spacer worked perfectly. Don't understand why Timex makes it so dang hard to do, but thank you so much for explaining this work around!!!! So glad to have my nice Indiglo back, so's I can check the time when it's dark!

this was my crisis point right now, i was wondering how to put the snap back on, finally found my solution! thanks!

Wife has her father's Timex watch on a silver band with large turquoise stones; it was hand made in Arizona probably 30 or 40 years ago. It has great sentimental value as well as monetary. The watch battery died, which I easily removed. However, I struggled to snap on the back. Concluding I had to apply consistent pressure around the entire edge of the back, I used everything I have in my tool arsenal, none of which worked. I did a Google search, found your video and used the suggested pill bottle cap technique. It worked!!!!! I was about to take it to our local jeweler and pay to have it done. Thanks!!!!

I had changed the battery but couldn't replace the back onto the watch. This was perfect, once I found a plastic cap that fit my smaller women's Weekender. Thanks so much ... you saved me a needless trip to the watch repair!

Oh my goodness, it worked. I just used the cap off a bottle of Benadryl and stepped on it on carpet. Heard the snap right into place. Amazing.

THANK YOU. YOU ARE A GENIUS. I spent an hour and a half trying different ways to put the back casein back on my watch and you're bottle cap method worked!

Awesome hack! I was skeptical at first but knew I had to give it a try since the alternative DIY method involved pliers and cushioning that a number of commenters said resulted in a cracked glass case. I put my watch facedown on a soft towel on top of a yoga mat. It was quite a surprise to see that many of my prescription bottle lids were exactly the same diameter as the back of the watch. Two tries was all it took for me to hear the little pop. The back was safely and securely on. Thank you!

Just discovered my t2n503za and this is welcome. Love how you covered the actual removal with your hand. I've tried everything. It seems a thinner knife is all I need and not a squidgy blue ball. Best wishes to you and all reading this in 2024.

Thank you dude, 8 years later and you still rock! My size 11(UK), 11.5(US), 45 (EU) rubber soled boot, 1 plastic pill bottle top and the carpet defeated the pesky Timex back case without destruction. Huzzah! (got it on the second try) Now I have to do it again, because my vintage Iron Man (Model T56381) has two batteries (greedy) and the digital one hasn't shown up yet.

Thank you for the best video instructions on how to change a TIMEX "WEEKENDER" 2016 battery. This is a simple procedure and your video MAKES IT SIMPLE for those of us who don't usually change watch batteries ourselves. Who knew it was so easy?

You're a life saver! You wouldn't believe how many dumb things I tried before watching this video. My last options were to use a hammer or throw the watch in the trash after just spending $6 for a new battery. The bottle cap was perfect!

Thanks for the tips. I tried sooooo many ways to get the back on and then saw your video & tried stepping on a pill-top on it. Worked like a charm and no damage to the watch - wish I'd tried that first!

Thoroughly enjoyed every minute including the snap back. Just one recommendation, make the videos longer. Maybe add some nice pans and tilts of the watch and all tools used. This will make for a very amusing and cheery comments section. God bless you Sir

Great instructions. It was exactly what I needed. It was a bit long, but I found it entertaining. I had a thin ceramic knife that broke, so as a tip for others, don't try a ceramic knife. My watch was a smaller Timex, so a milk jug lid worked well for me. The tip to find a lid the same size as your watch case was a good one. Also I tried pressing the casing together by hand on a thin towel on my bathroom counter, but I'm definitely not strong enough. I absolutely had to stand on it (on carpet) to snap the case back together. Anyway, great video, thanks!

This helped me get the back on a mini Timex, thank you! I can normally mongo the normal sized backs back on eventually, but the smaller watches DEFINITELY needed the vice (which my little workbench vice was begging for mercy the whole time).

Thanks -- your video was really helpful! Love your sense of humor about spices, too. I was in denial that the watch back was so hard to snap on that you have to use a vise! I started with the vise and just didn't have the stomach to go through with it. I ended up sandwiching my watch between cardboard pieces and using a pliers. Also, note that most watch backs (including yours) have a tiny triangle/arrow that points to the place where you are supposed to pry it off. Thanks for the video! It got the job done.

I almost panicked when I could not pop the case back onto my watch! Thanks to your ghetto-fabulous idea, my Timex keeps on ticking. I placed the watch on soft cardboard on the floor so there would be some give when I stepped onto the rigging. You saved me from either sending it off to Timex (hassle) or buying a new watch.

Sweet... I just needed to get the back on and this was super helpful! Joe

Could have told me that in 45 seconds.

Thanks for the great video, especially for pointing out that there would be a correct orientation to the back case (around 5:00 minutes). I was able to replace the battery without any problem and for substantially less than the $30 the jewelry store was going to charge.

thank you, thank you! I never would have thought that changing a watch battery could be so interesting. I appreciated your clear and simple instructions and great video. But What I got the biggest kick out of was when you just suggested pausing after taking off the back and just looking at the mechanism of the watch. It turned 'just another thing to do' into an experience! Thanks for your time and effort! May you be well ... one moment at a time!

I gave up after 45 minutes of trying to snap the damn cover in place. 45 seconds was all I needed after watching this video 😂. Thx 🙏

Wow. I have replaced this watch twice waiting for my husband to Fix it. Now I can do it myself. I’ve tried a hammer. Leaving it sitting out for him for weeks! Who knew it was this easy! Excellently thorough and entertaining video!

THANK YOU! I was finally able to get the back popped back onto my Timex. I used a Canadian $2 coin - exact same size as the watch backing - secured it with an elastic band, then placed the top of a pill bottle on top - put all my weight on it, and it went into place :)

Worked great with the cap of off my hydrogen peroxide bottle. Thanks for the getto fabulous tip. Cream of tartar is an ingredient used in baking pie crust and pastries.

Initially watched your video just long enough to pry the backs off two watches. Little did I know that getting the back of my Timex snapped on was the hard part. Good grief! 🤦 Found your video again & FF to the last part. Bottle top of generic Allegra worked for me. I set it up as instructed, but per someone's comment, I chose a table over the floor and used my hand instead of my foot. Worked like a charm. Thanks again. 🌟🏅🏆

Thanks! You saved me a trip to the jewelers. I didn't stand on it. I took a piece of 2x4 and pressed on top of the cap. Less pressure. I heard the satisfying snap. Worked like a charm. I spent 1.5 hours trying to get that stupid button on the back.

This works for the Waterbury series too. I literally needed you to tell me that I needed to step on my brand new watch before I was confident to do it myself. Many Thanks!!

THANK YOU!!! I just spent over an hour trying to snap the back on my mom’s old Timex with no luck. Your video did the trick with the pill bottle suggestion.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I was completely afraid of shattering the watch face trying to get it back on but this method worked. I used a piece of foam and a glasses cleaning cloth under the watch and used the heel of a vans shoe to press it. It worked when i made sure the back was equal resting all around. The snap/it going into place, is almost unnoticeable so make sure you check on it. Thank you so much 555 gear.

Finally I'm Ghetto-Fabulous!!! 🤩 After watching multiple videos, yours was the first advice to work for me (i have carpal tunnel). Thanks!

How is this NINE MINUTES LONG

Thanks for the "ghetto fabulous" tip, especially cluing me in to listen/feel the snap! I probably would've crushed my watch. But instead of stepping on it (again, I probably would've crushed it), I put the watch on a dish towel on the kitchen counter, and used the wooden bottom of my hammer handle to snap it back in place. It worked like a charm. Thanks again! Cheers!

Thank you so much for this video. The back came off my watch and I could not get it back on and had almost given up. Your method of using the top of a spice/pill container worked like a charm.

Very helpful, thank you. I have a Sekonda. and you're right, it is interesting noticing where all the different little parts are made. London, UK

Thanks man! Couldn't imagine it would take that type of pressure. Pill lid works well, and was successful with my hands. Thanks again.

This video was a lifesaver! Usually the back snaps on easily but I couldn't get it by hand this time. Thanks for posting!

OMG! The bottle cap trick to put back on the back cover worked! I successfully changed my Timex Indiglo battery all by myself. GREAT video - thank you!!

Nice! very helpful for re-installing the caseback on my Timex field watch.

thank you this really helped! my husband used a C-shaped vice-grip ... we cushioned the crystal with a waffle type silicone pot holder and the top of a milk jug to cushion the back .... We wedged it into the vice-grip and he pressed until we thought it was back together. thanks again!!! ~ Maria

Thank you very much! I didn't have a pill cap but I placed the watch on the carpet and with the bare foot pressed the backplate. It was so easy!

I followed you instructions about putting a bottle cap on it and stepping on it. Broke the watch. Thanks a lot.

Went through a couple of videos and this had the simplest method to fix the snap case back on. Thank you.

Thank you so much! Super-helpful bottle cap solution saved me a ton of time traveling to a place to close my watch up after the back fell off when I dropped it on the ground!!

Thank you SO MUCH for this "ghetto fabulous" answer to the most annoying, perplexing problem I've had with Any. Watch. Ever. A pill bottle cap worked like a dream, and my beloved Indiglo is again tickin'. Now to change that boring old band which is mercifully easier than changing the battery!!

Worked great for me. The little mark on the back cover points to the slot on mine. I used my vice but couldn't get cap and watch to stay lined up. I used thick duct tape all the way around once to keep them lined up. I gently tuned the handle on the vice. Popped in place first time. Thanks.

Thank You! I watched your video for how to put the case back in. I used a wash cloth over the back & a particle board cup coaster over the back and gently but surely stepped on it praying not to hear the face crack… lol it worked the third time I put my ENTIRE body weight on it. CHEERS!

Dude, you're a genius! I've been struggling to put the case back on my Timex Expedition Scout, saw your video and mission accomplished. Your idea worked beautifully!! 😂

Thank you. We have benn struggling how to put the cap back. It wzs not easy and we unsuccessfully spent so much time. Finally we did a google search and found your video. Surprisingly your initiative way of pressing by feet on a plastic cap worked amazingly!👍 Thanks a million👏👏👏

Kudos to you, I did exactly like you said and was able to put together, I tried this before but with the vise and broke the watch but this time did the pill bottle cap and WALA, EASY PEASY, thanks

This video is fab. I wrestled for 2 hrs getting more and more frustrated, cut my thumb twice until I found this. I made the mistake of not watching how to put the back back on, wrestled for another hour trying to do that getting more and more exasperated. Light bulb moment and watched the end. Hey presto, snapped back on. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! (I used a spectacles tiny flat head screwdriver which worked perfectly to get back off)

Thank you so much! As I was exiting my bathroom with my watch on my hand, it slipped and fell on my kitchen floor. All the pieces went mayhem, but I searched your video and now my watch is as well as before! Thanks so much! :)

210lbs applied to a pill cap on vinyl tile worked beautifully! The click when it finally seated itself was certainly satisfying. Thanks. Thumbs up. I did have to remove the band which proved to be somewhat tedious to put back on.

Ghetto fabulous is the way to go! I was about to give up - having successfully changed the battery - but your video saved the day. Carpet, loafer and a bottlecap - who knew? Thanks again!

To all the complainers; just advance the video! The pill bottle lid totally worked! I am literally changing the 2016 battery to two Weekenders! Me and my dad's. Thanks, so much.

all my caps collapse under my weight but I found a garden-hose cap would work but not really large enough (but it did work once I got it to center). Thank you. I read all the critics below, if they can make a better video then why don't they? I do appreciate your time.

Thank you. I had already gotten the battery out, but could not get the back on to save my life. I had a prescription bottle top to put on top of the back of my mother's very small Timex and once putting pressure on it in the living room, it worked like a charm. Of course, when I heard the "crack", I was holding my breath hoping I had not cracked the front panel. But to my surprise, the back clicked on and it's back to working condition. Great video - thanks again.

The back came off of my watch when I dropped it last night and this helped me fix it easily. Thank you!

Thank you very much. I had my watch laying around because the cap came off after it fell. I just couldn't put the cap back on. Thanks to you I was able to finally do it so thanks again for the video.

Thank you very much, I used the vise method and had to tighten it to the point to where I thought it would break. Finally I heard it the click sound. Well Done!

Used a few quarters stacked on top of each other instead of pill cap cuz we didn't have one. It worked like a charm! BLESS YOU

bottle cap method worked for me, my 210 lbs of bodyweight wasn't quite enough but a little encouragement it popped back on with no damage!

Thanks for the video. I was struggling to put the cover back on. The bottle-cap method worked a treat. Ghetto fab.

Thx a lot! To put the back on, I used a cloth to protect the crystal and sandwiched the watch between 2 coins. When it was all aligned, I used vice grip pliers to snap the back on. It worked like a charm! 😊

Thanks for the smart DIY help. It worked. Sadly, my old Timex Indiglo, may need mote than a battery change.

Needed a photo of what the pry tab looked like. Well. My husband did it for me after he saw me with a knife. He was afraid I'd cut myself. We did it. Thank you for this video.

Thank you!... Bought a Timex watch on Amazon...Second hand not moving...Took back off,realigned battery...Followed your instructions...Hey presto!...You've saved me a covid visit to a jeweller...and a few squid! 😊

A little winded but good tips. I used my vacuum base panavise with sock on the crystal face to put the back in place. I heard it click and it was done. Thank you for sharing.

Hahaha I like the "thanks for watching" in the first 15 second. You got me to continue to the end.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It worked with the bottle cap and the foot. Perfect! I appreciate you taking the time to make this video!

YIKES!!! you just stood on a timex! That is precisely why I keep buying them. regards, AJ

Thanks for your help I wouldn’t have got the job done without this video. I used the pill bottle cap.

This whole video is useful, but If for nothing else, the last 1-2 min of the "ghetto" method is AWESOME. Maybe it's because I'm too weak to snap it with other tools, but Everytime I change a watch battery I end up coming back to this video to remind myself how to get it done. THANK YOU!

Just used your method on my timex expedition that I couldn't get on until I tried your foot method!!! Thanks very much.

Man that worked like a charm I used a Pill cap thank you .... your the man!!!! before your video I was using my hand and a cloth pressing on a hard table .... thanks again

wimpy vice and a butter knife was the winning combo to get the back on for me, thank you for the tips 😂

Using a bottle cap to get the case back on was an amazing idea, got it back on the third try, thanks brotha!

1 minutes worth of content in 8 minutes and 47 seconds. thanks a lot

8:13.......Yay, I'm ghetto fabulous.....I replaced the battery and put the back onto my watch without trauma. Thanks for a brilliant video.

Thanks so much! I used a pill bottle cover and it worked immediately! Saved me a trip to the jewelers!

Thanks so much - it worked and saved me a trip to the jeweler. :). I used two pot-holders on the floor, a pill case and a rawhide mallet. Voila!

Thank you! This really helped and saved me from a trip to the jewelry store!! Appreciate you sharing the info.

Yes, thank you for the snap back on procedure using the top of a pill bottle. Worked perfectly.

I tried this method using a hard cover book and pill container lid. IT WORKED GREAT!!! Wow! Thank you

I used the table top and the whole soda bottle … worked Great! … Wouldn't have thought of it. Thanks!

You don't need to step on it, just keep it on a table and lean in on it. Works just as well.

Thank you! Your trick saved me! The one using a cap over the back and stepping on it. Genius!

This is very good instruction. I learned the silly crown or button or whatever was out and I didn't even need a battery. The watch is still working right 24 hours later. Thank goodness because I would need a separate video on how to take the strap on and off (I am mechanically challenged)

I am ghetto fabulous!!! Thanks to you. My hands were not strong enough after trying and trying, I did a you tube search and now me and my watch are rollin". Thank you very much.

I love your use of "ghetto fabulous" and "wabi sabi", things best well maintained and all. I still couldn't get the back off my daughters watch. But thanks for the practical tutorial.

Thank you so much. Stepping on the pill case top worked great. This was a big help.

Thanks for the pry trick with a knife. I had all those other tools and definitely would have failed with those first. I appreciate the info.

Thank you so much for teaching this. I thought it was stupid to snap it with your feet but hey it worked! Thank you again

Pill bottle cap and foot worked like magic, thank you sir.

GREAT tutorial! Your method didn't work exactly for me, but it gave me the insight I needed. Nice work

Thank you so much for the video help! I didn't have a pill bottle top, but I found that your standard soda bottle top works just as well.