How to Replace a Timex Watch Battery Yourself

Dead watch? Install a new battery yourself.

You used to be able to walk into the local discount department store and buy a replacement battery for an inexpensive wristwatch like a Timex Indiglo or Timex Expedition, and the person at the counter would replace it for you; free. You don't get that service any more - now you have to go to a real jeweler (and suffer their disdain over not having a Tag Heuer) or a kiosk in the mall where they'll sell you a battery and install it for about the same price you paid for the watch in the first place.

You could, of course, replace it yourself... like I do. Timex stamps the battery size on the back of the case, and you can buy these batteries at your local grocery. They're usually CR2025 or CR2032 button-type batteries. Once you have a new battery, you're set.

What You'll Need

• Replacement battery: verify the battery size/style printed on the back of the watch case.
• Size 0 Phillips-head screwdriver (you can find one in a set of jeweler's screwdrivers for a couple of dollars)
• Sheet of plain white paper

Instructions

Whatever you do, don't lose the screws.

1) Remove the four teensy screws holding the back of the case in place. Put them in a safe place. (NOTE: if you lose one, you can buy about a bazillion replacement screws here...)
2) Lift the back of the case off. The battery is underneath a round, clear plastic sheet with some printing on it. Make a note of the orientation of the metal piece between the battery and the plastic.
3) Remove the plastic, the battery and the metal piece. On some models, the battery cover is held in place by its own screw.
4) Remove the battery, which may be stuck to the plastic with a little sticky stuff.
5) Place the new battery in the metal clip and plastic. Be certain to put it in with the positive side (+) up - you should be able to see the printing when the parts are reinserted into the watch.

The yellow arrow points to the AC pad indicator.

6) Reset the watch: the instructions "After battery is inserted short AC Pad and battery (+) to reset" are printed on the battery cover.

If you don't follow this instruction, the watch won't work - you have to perform the AC (all clear). All you have to do is connect the top surface of the battery to the AC pad with something metal - tweezers or the screwdriver. Fortunately, there's a hint: the little triangle next to the message points to the AC pad. You can short to the pad itself or to anything metal that's touching the pad. 

7) Straighten the little rubber gasket on the case. If it isn't intact, the watch isn't water-resistant any more.

8) Replace the back cover, insert all four screws and tighten them. 9) Reset the time and date on the watch.

And you're done!

Some things to note: On some models, especially the Indiglo, you have to remove the band to take off the back. It's almost worth taking it to a pro to do that. The Expedition isn't as hard. Do not lose any of those screws! It might be worth your while to put them in a little bowl or stick them to a small refrigerator magnet so they don't get lost. You just voided the warranty simply by opening the back, but you already knew that, right?

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