How Much Does a Watch Battery Replacement Cost?

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

If you notice that your watch battery has just died, you can go for one of the only two options for replacement. You either do it yourself or you take it to a professional.

Of course, if you have a more expensive watch that costs well into the hundreds or thousands of dollars, then you shouldn’t try your way around it, especially if you’re not sure of what you’re doing. So in this case, going to a professional that knows what they are doing is the better option.

The cost to replace your watch battery will depend on several factors including the professional you choose for the job, the type of battery you want to add, and the watch brand and model.

How much does a watch battery replacement cost?

The average watch battery replacement job will cost between $8 and $20 and most professionals. This is the price charged to replace just a basic watch battery, although it will vary considerably depending on the brand and type of watch. Replacing the battery of chronograph models, for example, can cost upwards of $75 or even $100, while in the case of water resistant batteries, this price can fluctuate between $50 and $75.

You might also like our articles about the cost of watch crystal replacement, car battery replacement, or cell phone charging port repair.

There are quite a few watch brands available on the market, so to make it easier for you to get an estimate of the price, we have designed a table of the prices, based on discussions found online and talks with third-party watch repair shops.

Sears, for example, which is a very popular watch retailer, charges roughly $20 to replace watch batteries. There are also big retail chains and discount retailers, one of them being Walmart, that charge even as low as $10.

One forum thread on QVC.com had members talking about the prices they were quoted to have their battery replaced. They stated that they had to pay anywhere between $5 and $40 for this simple task.

According to them, you’re better off talking to places like Walmart, JCPenny, Sears, or even your local jewelry store, if you want a professional job for as low as possible.

Some members on the Yelp forum talked about having to pay between $3 and $15 to have their watch battery replaced.

Watch battery replacement overview

It isn’t uncommon for a place that sells watches to also have a repair specialist available for necessary repairs like swapping batteries, shortening the watch links, or other basic repairs.

For the watch battery to be properly replaced, the watch will have to be turned over so that the backing can be removed. Depending on the brand of your watch, the specialist will either use a small a screwdriver or a small flat-headed screwdriver. Most back will have screws that hold them on, but there are some that are simply pried off.

As soon as the specialist will open the watch, they will remove the gasket and set it aside. The battery needs to be exposed completely so that it can be removed with the help of a small screwdriver. The new battery will then be installed right after the old one has been removed successfully, and then the backing will have to be put back in its place. Finally, the watch will be set to the proper date and time.

The new battery will have a lifespan that depends on the type of watch you have and its functions. Obviously, a watch that just keeps the time will consume a lot less battery than one that has all kinds of functions aside from telling the time, like acting as a stopwatch and showing the exact date. The average watch batteries will last somewhere around four years or so.

There are companies that offer a limited warranty once the watch’s battery is replaced.

Extra costs when you replace a watch battery

A faulty gasket can sometimes make a watch die. If the casket is damaged, then the cost to replace it would be between $15 and $30, depending on the make and model of the watch.

Important things to consider

It’s always better to go to a local reputable jewelry store and avoid discount retailers, especially if you have a more expensive watch. They might cost slightly more, but it will be well worth it to make sure your watch doesn’t take any unneeded damage.

When trying to replace a watch battery on your own, you will have to be very careful when dealing with the crystal backings. They will usually crack when you apply too much pressure on them.

As soon as the watch is opened up, it can lose its water pressure. If you want to properly pressurize the watch, then you should hire a good repair specialist, because they will be able to do this for you.

The 4 main types of watch batteries.

Lithium watch batteries are known by most people as coin batteries, as they have the shape of a coin. These are the most common of all types and can last up to ten years. They are also not very harmful to the environment if you were to compare them to mercury batteries.

The second most common watch batteries are alkaline batteries. These have the shortest lifespan and can sometimes only last a few months, but they are also the cheapest batteries you will find.

Silver oxide batteries are smaller in size than mercury batteries, although they are just as powerful. This type of battery can only be used for specific watches that are made for it.

Mercury battery watches will last up to three years, and they are known to offer very consistent voltage which means that they tell time accurately.

How can I save money?

It would be great if you could take your watch to the same jewelry store you purchased it from. Some of them will replace the battery for free or at least give you a great deal for the job.

It isn’t all that hard to change a watch battery either. Still, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you might risk damaging the watch while you are trying to change the battery. If you want to give this a try, a watch battery kit can be bought online for roughly $15.

As long as you are a returning customer, some stores will have no problem changing it for free for you.

It is also a good idea to watch out for sales or special promotions.