How to Know When Your Watch Battery Needs Replacing
At Luxe Watches, I often meet customers who adore their timepieces but aren’t quite sure “how to know when your watch battery needs replacing”. It’s more common than you might think. When you wear a luxury watch every day, it becomes an integral part of your routine, so the early signs of a weakening battery are easy to miss.
This guide will help you spot those signs, understand how long a watch battery usually lasts, and know exactly what to do when your watch battery is not working.
The First Signs Your Battery Is Running Low
One of the earliest and most reliable signs is a change in how the second hand behaves. If it begins to jump forward in larger increments, for example, two or three seconds at a time, that’s your watch telling you the battery is running low.
Other common symptoms I see include:
- Losing time over the course of a day or week
- A dim or fading digital display on electronic watches
- Unresponsive functions, such as chronographs or backlights
- And of course, the watch stopped altogether
If anything feels unusual, it’s always worth letting us take a look. A battery that’s completely drained can leak if it is left too long, and that’s when internal damage can occur.
How Long Does a Watch Battery Usually Last?
People frequently ask me, “How long does a watch battery last?”, and the truth is it varies depending on the watch, expected battery life and how you use it. Most standard quartz watches run for one to three years on a fresh battery. Digital watches, with added watch features such as lights or alarms, tend to need a replacement sooner due to the increased battery consumption.
If you’re wearing a solar-powered model, you can often go years without thinking about the battery at all.
But regardless of the type, every watch benefits from a professional check-up when you suspect a battery issue.
What to Do When Your Watch Battery Is Not Working
Here’s where Luxe Watches comes in. When you notice any of the signs above, or you simply suspect the battery is nearing its end, here’s what I recommend:
- Bring it in to us: Don’t try to change the battery yourself unless you have experience. Opening the case back incorrectly can damage the gaskets (making your watch less water-resistant) or harm the movement.
- We inspect: We’ll check the movement, the battery contacts, and the seal. If there’s any sign of leakage or corrosion, we’ll deal with that before replacing the battery.
- Use high-quality batteries: At Luxe Watches, we only use trusted, high-grade batteries. This helps to ensure longevity and reduces the risk of leakage.
- Pressure-test if needed: If your watch is designed for water resistance, we can pressure-test it after the battery change to make sure it’s sealed properly.
Record service history: We’ll note the date of replacement so the next time you’re in, we know exactly when the battery was last swapped.
View our full range of watch services available.
Why Luxe Watches Is the Best Place for a Battery Replacement
After years of servicing luxury timepieces, our team of experts have learned that no two watches are exactly alike- each one deserves care and precision. When you bring your watch to Luxe Watches, you’re putting it in the hands of someone who genuinely enjoys the craft.
We don’t just replace your battery- we take the time to ensure your watch is running perfectly and is protected from future damage.
Whether you’ve noticed subtle timing issues or your watch has stopped altogether, you’re always welcome to pop into our boutique or get in touch with any questions, including “how to know when your watch battery needs replacing”. We’re always happy to take a look, offer advice, and help keep your timepiece performing the way it should.
Luxe Watches—a boutique founded in 2011, specialising in new and pre-owned luxury timepieces from brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet. We back our pieces with a 12-month Luxe Watches warranty and offer full servicing in our in-house workshop using genuine manufacturer parts.
Get in Touch
Email: info@luxewatches.co.uk
Phone: 020 3397 1596Address: 219 High Street, Epping, CM16 4BL