Replacing batteries in cheap watches

January 28, 2021, 05:05 PM

mark123

My son has a collection of cheap superhero watches. I'm not sure they are meant to ever be opened but the batteries are dead in 3 of them. I just cannot get the backs off to see what sort of battery they need.

He's really fond of matching his watch with his t-shirt and hat and it would make him happy to have these working again.

Any tips for getting these opened? I've tried small screwdrivers, knives, using a loupe to see if there are any notches (there aren't), etc. to try to get them opened.

January 28, 2021, 05:08 PM

davetruong

The look like pop off backs. You can probably get under with a pocket knife. Let me know what batteries and I'll send them to you

January 28, 2021, 05:15 PM

Hamden106

I got a cheap watch from NRA for upgrading to lifer. After several battery changes it is still the most accurate watch I have ever had. Maybe 2 minutes off in a battery cycle which lasts at least a couple years.
It is a simple change under a pry off back
It takes a 377 battery

January 28, 2021, 05:22 PM

mark123

quote:
Originally posted by davetruong:
The look like pop off backs. You can probably get under with a pocket knife. Let me know what batteries and I'll send them to you

I just can't get it to grab. There doesn't seem to be any space to fit the blade.

I got his other watch open and a knife worked for that but these just won't budge.

January 28, 2021, 05:25 PM

ZSMICHAEL

My jeweler does this for free. I just pay for the battery

January 28, 2021, 05:36 PM

H&K-Guy

The trick is not getting the backs off. The trick is putting the backs back on without a back press.

Dave is the man when it comes to these things. His knowledge is unmatched and his generosity and kindness is the stuff of legend around here.

H&K-Guy

January 28, 2021, 05:40 PM

ScreamingCockatoo

Marzy and I have the tools to open and replace the batteries.
Probably cost more to ship than they're worth though.
But I'd still be happy to do it for you.

January 28, 2021, 05:43 PM

mark123

quote:
Originally posted by ScreamingCockatoo:
Marzy and I have the tools to open and replace the batteries.
Probably cost more to ship than they're worth though.
But I'd still be happy to do it for you.

Thanks, my friend. Yeah, they're not really worth shipping.

January 28, 2021, 05:47 PM

Elk Hunter

quote:
Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
My jeweler does this for free. I just pay for the battery

I have a Casio that runs for years on the battery. When it died, I took it to wallyworld and they replaced the battery, all I had to was for the new battery. Saved a bunch of trouble.

Elk

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January 28, 2021, 07:37 PM

drill sgt

Our local wally world will not sell/install a new battery for any watch that do not sell. Liability issues ??? Shortly after the covid flu started needed a new battery so I asked for the special tool so that I could open up the back MYSELF ( which I had done several times prior) and was flately refused the use of this tool which made me very un happy and noted my displeasure to the store manager but did not do any good. Ended up going tom a local jewelry store . ..................................... drill sgt.

January 28, 2021, 08:52 PM

Elk Hunter

Probably a local wallyworld store manager issue.

Don't understand the concept, but it is their choice.

January 28, 2021, 09:01 PM

V-Tail

There is a small jewelry store in this area that replaces batteries in most watches for one dollar.

A few battery sizes are two or three bucks, but most are one (plus 7% sales tax, and anything that you feel like tossing into the tip jar).

I have been going there for ten years or more, they are fast, efficient, courteous, and service with a smile.

January 28, 2021, 09:29 PM

clubleaf206

I recently replaced the battery in a Swiss Army watch, I used an old paring knife to pop the back off. Hold the watch on it’s edge, resting on a hard surface, set the edge of the knife into the seam between the cover and the watch case and rap lightly on the back of the knife blade with a hammer, it should pop off. After you have ascertained what battery is needed and replaced it reinstall the back by either using one of those padded bar clamps or if, like me, you don’t have one of those use two pairs of pliers to gently squeeze the case back in place, using one pair on the exact opposite side from the other. I protected the face of the watch by using a paint stirrer to cover it.

January 29, 2021, 02:44 AM

mark123

quote:
Originally posted by clubleaf206:
I recently replaced the battery in a Swiss Army watch, I used an old paring knife to pop the back off. Hold the watch on it’s edge, resting on a hard surface, set the edge of the knife into the seam between the cover and the watch case and rap lightly on the back of the knife blade with a hammer, it should pop off. After you have ascertained what battery is needed and replaced it reinstall the back by either using one of those padded bar clamps or if, like me, you don’t have one of those use two pairs of pliers to gently squeeze the case back in place, using one pair on the exact opposite side from the other. I protected the face of the watch by using a paint stirrer to cover it.

That's just it, there is no seam. I'm sure these things are considered to be disposable.

January 29, 2021, 05:04 AM

Powers77

Try taking them in to a jewelry store. Or have you searched online for replacements if they are truly disposable?

January 29, 2021, 05:11 AM

r0gue

I can't tell from the photos, so I don't mean to doubt you. But I'm pretty certain there would be a seam. Take them to a jeweler. They'll do it for free, but overcharge you for the battery. The job will take 5 minutes total for all three.

I cut my hand open trying to open a unicorn watch. I got that $!%# open, and I changed the battery. That watch was as cheap as they come. Even the quartz movement was tiny for the tiny case. Laughably bad.

January 29, 2021, 05:16 AM

clubleaf206

Well, darn. The middle one and the one on the right sure appeared to me as if they have that sort of back. It’s a long shot, however one other DIY thing might be tried. If you can get ahold of something rubber that is “grippy”, such as perhaps a handball or one of those physical therapy grip exercise balls then you place the watch face down on a hard surface and press down hard with the rubber ball, twisting counterclockwise and see if the back unscrews. Pretty unlikely a watch of that price point has a screw back, but you never know. But they may very likely be the BIC disposable lighter of wristwatches.

January 29, 2021, 05:31 AM

mark123

quote:
Originally posted by r0gue:
I can't tell from the photos, so I don't mean to doubt you. But I'm pretty certain there would be a seam. Take them to a jeweler. They'll do it for free, but overcharge you for the battery. The job will take 5 minutes total for all three.

I cut my hand open trying to open a unicorn watch. I got that $!%# open, and I changed the battery. That watch was as cheap as they come. Even the quartz movement was tiny for the tiny case. Laughably bad.

I'm sure there is a seam. I just can't get it.

January 29, 2021, 06:24 AM

chongosuerte

Have you looked under magnification? Sometimes the little spot is hard to see.

Knowing what one is talking about is widely admired but not strictly required here.

Although sometimes distracting, there is often a certain entertainment value to this easy standard.
-JALLEN

"All I need is a WAR ON DRUGS reference and I got myself a police thread BINGO." -jljones

January 29, 2021, 08:07 AM

trebor44

Throw away or wall hangers! Exacto or utility knife blade. Been there done that! As has been pointed out, putting the back on is the REAL trick! Sometimes, even the jewelers say NO!