Battery Replacement: At Home or Shop?

A quartz battery typically lasts 18–24 months. Replacing it sounds trivial — and on the simplest case-backs, it is. But not every watch should be opened at the kitchen table.

Do it yourself when

• The case has a snap-back opened with a case knife.
• The watch has 30m rating or less (no critical gaskets).
• The watch costs under ₹5,000.

Take it to a shop when

• Screw-down case-back (requires a jaxa wrench).
• Diver's watch with rated water resistance.
• Smart movement that needs reset codes after battery change.
• Vintage or valuable quartz — gaskets and pressure test needed.

The minimum kit if you DIY

• Case-back opener / case knife (₹300).
• Plastic tweezers (never metal near the movement).
• New battery — silver oxide, not alkaline.
• A clean, well-lit workspace.

Don't open a watch you can't afford to break.