How to replace the battery of a quartz pocket watch?

Watch case cover opening

1. Pull out the stem just above the pocket watch to make it stop working temporarily, although with a dead battery it may have already stopped working anyway.
2. Turn over the pocket watch.
3. The most common and easiest way is to use the box knife.
4. Look for the recessed area on the edge of the rear cover; this is the access point to insert the box knife. This recessed notch area is usually very small with a length of 0.25-0.375″, so look for it very carefully. Sometimes the notch is just below the stem, but not always necessarily. You can run your fingers around the edge from the back cover if it is hard to see
5. Hold the pocket watch in one hand and the pocket knife in the other hand.
6. Slide the box blade (blade at its widest point) under the edge of the box back.
7. Gently press the box blade against the box, twist and pull out until you hear or feel a “pop”.

remove old battery

1. After removing the cover, you will see the battery.
2. See how the old battery is inserted, you will most likely see the battery type number etched side up.
3. Check the battery type number to get a new identical one to put in.
4. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery.
5. Use a brush to clean and remove dirt and debris from the watch compartment and the edge of the watch cover, and use a dust blower to remove dust.
6. Insert the new battery and move back the spring arm in the battery case at the same time with the tweezers, and press the battery down and let it rest well in the battery case.

reconditioning

1. Put the cover back on the watch.
2. Simply but carefully push the cover towards the watch with your fingers.
3. Take care to break the glass through even pressure.
4. Make sure the cover is securely attached to the watch.
5. Set the time and push the stem back.
6. Clean the watch with a cleaning cloth.

Tips

• Try not to use a regular sharp knife or flathead screwdriver unless you are really good and experienced at doing it. This can scratch the watch case and leave marks on the case cover. And you can get hurt too. The proper tool to use is a case knife or watch case opener that has a blunt blade.
• Use a nice soft cloth to hold the pocket watch to remove and replace the case cover, this will protect both your hand and the watch from damage from knife slippage.
• Use the blade instead of the point of the razor when opening the back cover.
• Plastic clips may be better than metal ones to protect the internal movement of the watch.
• Finally, vintage, waterproof, or specialized pocket watches should be taken to the professional.