How to Change a Watch Battery with Normal Tools 

Over the years Ive met people of all ages that you don't want to follow. When they give "brilliant" advice such as this aways do the exact opposite. This dude is one of those people ;-)

The great thing about using a hammer to open a watch, is that once you have totally ruined it, you can use the hammer to smash the whole thing to bits. This will help you feel much better about having to go buy a new watch.

An excellent instructional video. I don't happen to have an extra $5 or so for the many watches I have that need battery replacement. I really appreciated all this information and the demonstration. Great job! Thanks again.

RichsMethods - Thanks for your video. My wife's watch needed a new battery and it was tough to get the cover off. I watched your video, and the whole leverage, make a plan, don't get hurt and break the watch to boot - it was good advice. Watch battery is now changed, wife impressed, husband happy. Thanks. You Rock !!!

Thanks--you saved us time & money. Battery was purchased at Home Depot for $3.50, fixed it in 5 minutes. Easy does it.

Great instructions--even if the video is a little out of focus. I never knew it could be so easy to do, I just replaced batteries in 2 of my old watches. Thanks for posting!

Thank you so much. I had several inexpensive watches given to me for my little one to play with because they were "broken". I was pretty sure that the batteries were dead. I was able to change all the batteries except on one. That one which I esp liked was about to make me tear out my hair (and my families). I had even order at watch back removal kit and nothing worked until I watched your vid. I agree it was the hammer trick that made the difference. THX!!!

Terrific! Just watched this and changed 2 watch batteries - saved the price of buying another watch! Thank you!!

Thank you so much for this. I was trying to get the back off my watch for around 10 minutes but with your tip of wedging it in there by banging it into place got it off in under a minute. It really helped! Thank you!!!

RichsMethods,thanks for this info.Now I don't have to waste time in going to the shop to replace the battery and this gonna save a lot eventually.

Just changed two of my watch batteries thanks to you. I don't know how long they will last because these batteries are old, but at least I know I can do it again no problem. Thanks hun

Thanks! I was having trouble putting the cover of my girlfriend's watch back on after replacing its battery. I used your method with the plier and it worked like a charm. You made me a hero! :)

Thank you Love. Just changed my watch battery moment ago with ur tutorial. Changed my terrible outlook on today :) the simple things in life

thanks alot! saved money fixing my old watch. the hammer trick really helped me, it's practically impossible to pry of the back if u don't use a hammer.

I agree with ThePingy27 that you wouldn't be able to get the back off without the hammer. Thanks to your video, I saved myself some time trying to figure out how to get it off.

Thank you! Here in munich it costs 20 €. I have a relic watch wich needs two batteries. You saved me some money.

I was kinda worried I'd have trouble finding a tut on the watch I own, but first video I come across and it's the same bloody watch! Woot, thanks so very much RichsMethods ^.^

Thank you. They were going to charge me $25. I bought battery for $6. You saved me money.

A very clear, step by step procedure. Thanks! Very helpful.

Thank you so much with your help I fixed 2 watches in 10mins:)

Most helpful - Thanks Enabled me to remove the square back off a Lorus Watch. Although I gently tapped the screwdriver with a pair of pliers. Regards - Mike (in London)

Just tried this according to your instructions....I did it!! quite proud of myself. Thank you sooo much!

Thanks, Rich. I will try and let you know if it works. Like I said elsewhere, I have at least 10 watches that have died... why buy new ones when for the price of a battery, I can HAVE 10 "new ones"!? Gawd, I love RU-vid and people like you who upload stuff like this.... :)

@ElderKingpin As long as you are careful you should be fine. There was a small rubber gasket that went around the cover on the inside, which made it water tight. I made sure to keep it in position when I placed the cover back on.

Can't believe u are keeping this video up.

Thank you very much! Here in Norway a replacement costs about 16-20 dollars and I just saved that money.

Thanks guy! You just saved me about $15.00 because Sears jewelry dept. charges $20 to replace this battery which seems to be lasting shorter and shorter every year. I was able to buy a replacement battery at my local Targéé for $5 and with your instructions I replaced it myself.

Thanks for the tip. That's a detail I didn't notice.

Straightforward, Easy to Follow Directions, Thank You!!

Nice! Thanks for watching!

thank you for the tips.. I've paid to replace my batteries before, figured I can save some money by doing it on my own.

just replaced the batteries in three of my old watches! thanks for the post!

That's awesome. Thanks for watching.

thank you so much!!!!!had the same idea as you just did not think of the hammer thing! it strangely made it a lot easier!

Nice watch and good explanation! You can buy batteries from our store!

thanks man. was wondering how to open the back cover of my watch. seemed to be on so tight. your tip helped me out a lot. thanks again.

You could also separate the links on the watch band, by taking a pin out so you can work on the back of the watch easier :)

Thanks for taking the time to make your video. And yes every one a critic. Just remember to add, "this is how I do it, and if some one else has a better way, lets hear from you.

thank you so much! ive been meaning to fix my favourite watch for so long, this was really helpful.

Thanks, broke my watch face. Sending in for repairs.

Thanks for making this video, it was very helpful and funny. LOL! especially when you used the pliers to close the lid. "I hope that snap wasn't the glass breaking" HAHA! classic.

Your video was a big help to me. Thank you.

Thanks Rich! Today I was finally able to complete the watch changing process! It took several attempts over a few weeks! The hardest part was trying to remove that screw next to the battery! It never came out, but the battery did come loose and I was able to get the new one back in today! I lost count as to how many times I watched this video! This was a first for this fifty-three year old!

Thankkk youuu none of the other videos were helping me and your watch is similar too mine

Fantastic job on the video. Really helped us with our Brighton watch. Keep the informative videos coming. TBR from Michigan

That's cool. Thanks for watching!

Super informative and easy to follow-thanks!

You could try wrapping a small amount of tape around the end of the screwdriver. That way, if you do slip, it shouldn't scratch the metal.

You could use a pair of vice grips. Just make sure you use a thick terry cloth towel wrapped around the watch to prevent it breaking the glass (and from allowing the back cover to come off).

This a most useful and well explained video. Gracias.

Thanks, very helpful!

Thanks for the video. It pointed me in the right direction to getting my watch opened. Luckily, I only needed to snap the cover back in place on my watch once I had changed the battery without having to use a towel and pliers. And my watch functions once more!

Good stuff. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, but wasn't sure how to go about getting the cover off, so....thanks!

Please do not do this if you love your watch

This is pretty good, but I wanted to hone my battery changing skills so came to this video for refining hints... I don't agree with the hammer thing AT ALL! Usually you can wiggle & gently "jimmy" the case bottom to get it off. Also, I'm not sure if that little screw he mentions actually holds in the battery in... I can usually snap my batteries out w/o unscrewing anything, tho' was hoping for a hint on how to do this more gently & effectively. I'd check another site for this info before following these guides... And... No! no, don't use a hammer!! BTW, those little screw drivers ROCK for lots of tasks!!

@EasyAs1234Review I know, lol. I'll try to work on it. I'm sure there is something I am doing wrong. Thanks for the comment I really appreciate it!

Nice. I don't have a place like that where I live.

Thanks for the video. I think I'll close up my watch by running it over with my car

WHO in the WORLD would post this!? The gawl! ROFL

Worked perfectly. Thanks.

Hey thanks! It's the Arkitekt FS 4008.

You're welcome! Thanks for the comment!

Hi Rich, Can I suggest you buy a watchmakers case knife which are inexpensive then you will not need to bash hell out of your watch with a hammer and screwdriver, also it will make life much easier if you remove the spring bar from the clasp of the bracelet so that it does not keep falling against the unprotected movement. The small securing screw usually only needs to be loosened and not removed completely and I’m glad to see you using a decent watch cell and not one of the cheap Chinese ones which have the habit of leaking.

OMG - a hammer! What could possibly go wrong.

Thankyou mate brilliant trick with the pliers Thankyou very much

I remember back in the 70s they used to have a small round cap over the battery compartment which you could screw off with a quarter it was much easier to remove batteries from those watches than it is to remove batteries from watches now.

Excellent directions for the techie Braveheart. No being either, I will gladly pay the jeweler.

This video helped me a lot. Thanks!

On most watches that I have worked on there is a small indention on back of watch that a screwdriver/knife/pry tool can fit in. This is the best way to open. No hammer needed. May not be easily visible. My eye site is pretty bad these days so running my finger around the edge of cover usually I can feel the spot. If not I use a magnifying glass.

i always use a 9" angle grinder to remove watch backs but make sure you pop the watch in a vice first so you can hold the grinder with both hands and don't forget to wear eye protection for sparks and flying metal parts, safety first!

Outstanding, extremely helpful, thanks for taking the time.

LOL Every hit by the hammer I heard, I was like... AY CARAMBA!!! hahaha LOL

Was that an unintentional pun at the end? "Thank you for 'watch'ing

I enjoyed this too. Although I'm more of a fan of mechanical hand wind watches.

@whitbyjet65 Thank you for your sympathy...LOL. It was probably one of the hardest things I had to get through:)

Probably easier if you undo the Pin from the Clasp. Just use a push pin. Just be careful not to lose the spring bar. BTW, most people don't have forceps. I was able to close my watch back by putting the watch between 2 telephone books and put my knee on it. Or you could use a telephone book and a small piece of wood with a small hammer. Make sure you get one side secure and then put it in place.

Thanks!! Glad to help out.

Thanks for the tips! I still prefer to do it this way though, ha.

Thank you for teaching me.

It was meant to be. ha. That watch has lasted me forever too. I love it. Thanks for watching!

"ok, so I got my hammer", said the man working of his precious watch - lol!

Heya, The best ideas that I have seen was on Volt daddy (i did a google) Gotta be the most informative info on batteries and this stuff that i have found.

Well explained . I did successfully

Howdy, The best info that I have seen was on Volt daddy (i found it on google) Probably the most useful info on batteries and this gear that have found.

Thanks. A well presented How-To video. But seeing as how I am all thumbs, & have learned from experience that, for me anyway, tiny screws are the spawn of Satan, I will pay someone else to to it. That is one of the reasons I am not a neurosurgeon :-). But thank you for convincing me I should not try this at home. GOOD JOB!

worked great for me. saved me thirty-some bucks plus the added bonus of not having to deal with the snotty little shits at the jewelers...

thanks this video have been very helpful.

Nice did it w/o the hammer because I don't own one 😂 worked great!!!

Try this at your own risk. Broke my watch closing it up. The pliers actually dented through the back just enough to break the movement mechanism. Perhaps in the future some hard materials like washers or large coins on both sides could spread the force and prevent pressure from the pliers from cracking the crystal or damaging the back. I had done this on the face expecting the mineral could break but overestimated the strength of the backing. I knew the risks but it didn't pay off for me this time. As they say, just because it works doesn't mean it's right.

Wow, think I will take it to a professional after seeing that. By the way, IF you do your own you might want to check to see if it works before hammering the back on! LOL

I would like to offer a bit of advice - 1. Undo the metal bracelet at the adjustment pin (its in the middle) This will allow easier access to the watch rear section 2. Buy a push type back opener..these items available on the internet are what Jewellers use,they are very cheap..flat headed screw drivers were not designed as back plate prisers .3. do not touch the battery with your fingers..you are transferring moisture into your case.-Don't polish too hard or you might expose the base metal

Glad to help. See you next "time", ha.

Thanks for the comment!

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

Ruined your watch just to save 5 bucks lmao

Relax bro he disnt use the hammer to kill somebody,, everything is fine if we use correctly, ths vid help alot cause i have about 20 dead watches yup im too lazy to taking care all these watches for change battery but now all are alive and cheap cost,, thx man ;)

Thanks Mate! Really Helpful Cheers!

That's awesome! You are welcomed!

Thanks very much for that,saved me some money :-)

You are welcomed.