Most of us rely on our watches to tell us the right time, so it’s always an unpleasant surprise to find our watch malfunctioning in one way or another.
Even though sometimes we assume that our watches are there to stay forever, their batteries definitely weren’t build to achieve immortality. Also, you probably aren’t carrying a pomander watch in your pocket.
So how would you know when it’s time to get yourself a new watch batteries and repair it? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Keep on reading for the key signs of when you need to get new watch batteries, as well as why you should let a professional take the lead.
Watch Batteries and Repair 101: Your Watch Is Dead
This is a pretty clear sign that you need to take your watch for a battery replacement. After all, once your watch has completely ground to a halt, you might as well just use it as an accessory.
If your watch has quartz movements, you’ll be delighted to know that they’re rather complex in nature and are made of tiny pieces that work in unison. When it comes to this type of watch, it’s recommended to replace the battery every one to three years, just to be on the safe side.
Unfortunately, if you’re still looking at a dead watch after getting the batteries replaced, then you’ll need to bring in a professional to take a closer look. Most likely it’ll be a movement fault. You’ll want to order Ronda movements if that’s the case.
The Jumping Second Hand: Hopping Around in 5 Second Intervals
This is another clear sign that your watch is low on power. Some watch models will have this as a preset to notify you that you’re due for a battery replacement by having the second hand jumping in 5-second intervals.
You’ll want to take your watch to a professional once you see the watch’s hands acting up. It might be tempting to let your watch run with a low power battery.
However, you’ll want to avoid causing any excessive damage to your watch (especially if it’s a quartz watch), as a completely depleted battery might start leaking and ruin the movement.
The same rule applies to digital watches. If your digital display has stopped functioning, then it’s time for a battery replacement with a checkup on the movement to ensure that all is good.
A Lake Is Forming Underneath Your Watch’s Glass
If you’re seeing some accumulated moisture hanging out underneath the glass, it’s time for a professional inspection.
Once moisture has entered the watch, it increases the risk of negative interactions with chemicals inside the watch, as well as higher probabilities for rust to form.
You don’t want to go through a complex service, with will be inevitable if your watch’s fragile inner works have been exposed to rust. Not only is it a sign of an issue with the battery, but it’s a glaring red flag regarding the efficiency of the seals around your watch. They might have started to wear away, or the resealing process has been done incorrectly.
It’s Becoming a Chore to Adjust the Time or Date
If you’re facing increasing difficulty in adjusting your watch’s time or date with the crown, then you need to take your watch in for a service.
Generally speaking, the crown on your watch is connected to a small stem that lives inside the watch movement. As time goes on, you might start feeling like the crown is getting either stiff or loose.
Both the crown and its stem can be replaced or repaired, but you won’t be able to tell until you have a professional assess the situation.
The Watch Is Giving You the Wrong Time
If your watch is starting to act a bit funny and it’s failing to keep the correct time, you’ll want to go through a complete inspection. If your watch is a quartz watch, you should be getting extremely accurate movements and it should be keeping -almost- a perfect time.
However, if you’re wearing a watch with mechanical movements, it’s not uncommon to lose a couple of minutes daily. This becomes even more common if you’re carrying a vintage model.
Why Should You Let a Professional Replace the Battery?
At this point, you’ve probably noticed that we’ve kept repeating the need to have a professional replace the watch’s batteries and do the maintenance and repair work.
The straightforward reason is the fragility and intricacy of a watch’s inner parts. The probability of you accidentally bricking the whole watch is rather higher when it comes to watches than almost any other type of gadget.
Besides, the physical act of replacing the battery can be quite difficult for some watches. For instance, watches that have been sealed for water resistance will need to be resealed and even pressure-tested after you’ve replaced the battery. Also, some musical watches have more than one battery, and you won’t be able to tell which one needs to be replaced, if not both.
Notice: Your Watch Brand and Model Matters
Not all watches are build alike. Expecting that you should be replacing your watch battery the same way you did another older watch of yours will only end in tears.
There are some brands and models that will require you to take them to their original manufacturer, like Cartier. Of course, that process will take a bit longer and cost more than simply taking your watch to your local jeweler’s.
Yet, it’ll be worth it in the long run. This way you’ll have a guarantee that your watch will be in safe hands. You will be able to make a decision by checking out your watch’s manual or service agreement. If you don’t have that on hand, just take look at the manufacturer’s guidance.
Keeping Your Watch for the Ages
The idea of replacing your watch batteries and repair doesn’t have to be intimidating.
We hope our little guide about the key signs that your watch is screaming at you for a much-needed battery replacement or repair helped you out.
For now, remember to keep to a regular schedule of maintenance sessions for your watch, and you won’t have to worry about your watch dying on you at the most inopportune moment.
Piran is the bestselling author of the Zobuz, TheHearus and other well known Blogs. Her books have sold hundred of copies and are published in different languages.
