If you're like most people, you probably have a battery-powered watch. Unfortunately, those little watch batteries don't last forever.
An average watch battery lasts for about two years, but depending on the make and model of your watch, it may last longer or shorter than that. When they die, you need to find a place to get them replaced.
Replacing your watch battery can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. There are quite a few places where you can get cheap watch battery replacement and repair.
Whether you're looking for a physical store or an online option, we've got you covered! In this blog post, we compiled a list of the 19 best places to get your watch battery replaced. We also added some tips on which option to choose depending on the watch you have.
Keep reading so you don’t waste too much money on replacement or fall for low-quality watch batteries.
Watch Repair Shops
When your watch stops working, the best place to go is the nearest watch repair shop that can do the job right.
What do I do when I need to get watch battery replacement near me? I find this button quite handy! Then you can check if any of the places below is near you.
The advantage of choosing a watch repair shop is that this is their specialty service and they will have the tools and skills to do a good job.
You can look for local watch repair shops in your area or if none is available, you can also choose the mail-in option where you can order a watch battery replacement online.
1. Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs
One of the well-known places where you get cheap watch battery replacement is Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repair.
Fast-Fix accepts most brands of watches and has in-house watch repair professionals.
You can replace your watch battery in-store if there is a Fast-Fix outlet near you or you can also go for their mail-in service that you can complete online.
- Location: 150 locations across 26 states in the U.S. and Online
- Cost: Starts at $15 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 15 – 20 minutes for in-store replacements or 24-48 hours for mail-in services
2) Total Watch Repair
Total Watch Repair offers mail-in watch battery replacement for most brands. You can visit their website to see whether your watch brand is included in their list.
Total Watch Repair has a physical location in Encino, CA but is more popular as a mail-in repair service.
- Location: Online and 1 location in California
- Cost: Starts at $9.95 – $45 depending on the type of battery
- Wait Time: 3 – 5 days
3) My Jewelry Repair
My Jewelry Repair offers watch battery replacements for most brands performed by certified watchmakers. All battery replacements come with Standard Pressurization Test, which is a good bonus if you have a water-resistant watch.
- Location: Online
- Cost: Starts at $40 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 1 – 2 weeks
4) Watch Repairs USA
Watch Repairs USA offers mail-in battery replacements. They accept most brands but you can check on their website to see the full list that they service.
Based on reviews, this is a good option if you just need a straightforward watch battery replacement as the cost is listed on their website.
But if you need watch repair, their costs are more expensive than other service providers.
- Location: Online
- Cost: Starts at $15 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 2 weeks
Battery Stores
If you're looking for a cheap watch battery replacement, going to a battery store is another option that you can consider.
Take note, however, that while many battery stores will have the proper tools to replace a watch battery, not all locations will have a professional watchmaker on staff.
We then recommend this option if you’re replacing a battery on a fairly inexpensive watch and you're not willing to spend more than the cost of the watch to have the battery replaced.
5) Batteries Plus Bulbs
Batteries Plus Bulbs is the largest battery franchise in the United States. They offer watch batteries as well as installation services for most watch brands.
Their stores offer free watch inspection before they replace the battery to make sure the watch is working.
They also guarantee that each store is equipped with the right tools to properly open and close different types of wristwatches.
- Location: 700+ locations in the United States
- Cost: Starts at $12 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 5 -10 minutes
6) Battery World
Battery World is another battery store where you can purchase watch batteries. You can ask the staff whether the location near you offers installation.
There are many watch owners on Quora and Reddit who said that they have gone to Battery World for quick and cheap battery watch replacement.
Take note that this could only be a good option if you have an inexpensive watch.
- Location: Select locations in the United States – CA, MS, NY, MI, FL, LA,
- Cost: Starts at $5 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 5 -10 minutes
A convenient option when you're looking for a cheap watch battery replacement is to go to a nearby local department store. However, not all department stores change watch batteries.
Department Stores
Maybe you're wondering: does Target or Walmart replace watch batteries? Unfortunately, no. Target and Walmart only sell watch batteries but don’t offer installation services in-store any longer.
However, there are still department stores that offer watch battery replacement services. You can also approach the jewelry counter at your nearest department store to ask whether they can replace your watch battery for you.
7) Sears
Sears offers same-day service when it comes to watch battery replacement.
According to their website, they have trained professionals that can service nearly every watch brand from Rolex to Timex. This is an inexpensive option where you can be guaranteed that a professional will be servicing your watch.
- Location: 21 locations in the United States
- Cost: Starts at $12 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 15 – 20 minutes
8) JCPenney
If you have a nearby JCPenney near you, it's worth checking whether they can replace your watch battery.
However, they may only be able to replace it if the brand is available at their store or if you bought the watch at JCPenney. It's better to call the nearest location if there is someone available to do such service.
- Location: 650+ locations in the United States
- Cost: Starts at $10 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 15 – 20 minutes
9) Macy's
Whether you bought your watch at Macy‘s or not, you can get a watch battery replacement there.
In-store watch battery replacement is only available in select stores while the online replacement is performed by their authorized service provider, My Jewelry Repair.
- Location: Online and In-Store in 15 locations
- Cost: Starts at $50
- Wait Time: about 3 weeks for online and same-day in-store
Jewelry and Watch Stores
If you have a high-end watch that costs a few hundred bucks, then you might not be comfortable mailing it in or entrusting it to a battery store staff. If this is the case, it might be a better idea to go to a jeweler or watch store.
Most fine jewelry stores have in-house watch repair professionals who can quickly change the battery while you wait.
Most jewelers are also more careful in handling your watch so you can be more at ease if you want to avoid scratches or improper sealing of the watch case.
10. Fred Meyer Jewelers
Fred Meyer Jewelers is a jewelry store that also offers watch battery replacements for a minimal fee. You can visit one of their many locations and check with the staff if they’re able to replace your battery for you. The jewelry store accepts most brands.
- Location: 120 locations in the United States
- Cost: Starts at $15 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 15-20 minutes
11. Helzberg Diamonds
Helzberg Diamonds is another well-known jewelry retailer that offers jewelry repair and cleaning.
But that's not all, you can also get the battery of your watch replaced too! They accept most brands but it's still best to call ahead if you're going out of your way for this errand.
- Location: 200+ locations in the United States
- Cost: Starts at $15 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 15-20 minutes
12. Kay Jewelers
With over a thousand stores in the United States, you're sure to find a nearby Kay Jewelers that you can visit for watch battery replacement.
They take most brands and you can check with the staff if they're able to do it while you wait or if you need to leave it and pick it up at a later time.
Kay Jewelers also offer free jewelry cleaning whether you bought the jewelry there or not, so you can also take advantage of this service while your watch battery is being replaced.
- Location: 1,000+ locations in America
- Cost: Starts at $13 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 15-20 minutes
13) Zales
Zales is a fine jewelry store that offers a wide variety of services, including selling jewelry, resizing, plating, and watch repair. They also do watch battery replacements for most brands.
- Location: 700+ locations in America
- Cost: Starts at $20 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 5-10 minutes
14) Jared
Jared is another popular jewelry store that offers watch battery replacements. They take most brands and you can either have it done while you wait or leave it with them and pick it up later.
- Location: 200+ locations in America
- Cost: Starts at $15 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 15-20 minutes
15) Ben Bridge Jewelers
Ben Bridge Jewelers guarantee that an expert watchmaker will fix your watch and make it work again.
According to their website, all their shops come fully equipped with state-of-the-art tools as required by major watch manufacturers.
- Location: 70+ locations in 9 states – AL, AZ, CA, CO, HI, NV, OR, TX, WA
- Cost: Starts at $20 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 10-20 minutes
16) Rogers & Hollands and Ashcroft & Oak Jewelers
These two jewelry retail stores are part of the same company and they both offer on-site jewelry repair services by professionals.
Part of the services list is a watch battery replacement service. However, this service isn’t available in all of their locations so you need to check first with your nearby store.
- Location: 34 locations in 9 states, see the list here
- Cost: Starts at $50 for battery replacement
- Wait Time: 15-20 minutes
17) The Jewelry Center
The Jewelry Center prides itself on having installed 255,000+ batteries and counting! They accept any brand of watch except smartwatches and can supply any battery.
They claim to have an expert team of repair staff that will test all the general functions of your watch.
- Location: Online and In-Store (3 Wisconsin locations)
- Cost: Starts at $14.99 (+ $10 return shipping) for mail-in and $5.99 for in-store
- Wait Time: 1 week for mail-in and a few minutes in-store
Authorized Dealers and Service Centers
A lot of people don't usually consider bringing the watch to the store where they bought them because it can cost a lot of money.
However, in cases where you have a luxury watch or a smartwatch, bringing it to the authorized service center may be your best bet.
18) Luxury Watch Authorized Dealers and Retailers
There's no question that authorized dealers or service centers of watch manufacturers charge much higher than your regular watch battery replacement shop.
But if you have a precious luxury designer watch like a Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, or Audemars Piguet that cost you thousands of dollars, we don't really advise skimping money when it comes to battery replacement and repair.
You should only trust the care of your watch to an authorized dealer. These dealerships have a team of highly-trained watchmakers who are well-equipped with the right tools and machinery to fix your watch.
And since these centers are affiliated with the watch manufacturers themselves, they usually give out warranty for their service
While it’s not the cheapest option, it can be more cost-effective in the long run because you can be assured that your warranty will not be void or your watch will not be lost in the mail.
19) Smartwatch Service Centers
Do you have a smartwatch that needs a watch battery replacement? In this case, we also advise that you go to your manufacturer's authorized service center or check if your warranty will still cover the replacement.
Most smartwatches have batteries that last around 2 years and by this time the value of your smartwatch would have already depreciated so it might not be worth it to replace the battery.
Before getting a Samsung Galaxy or Apple Watch battery replacement, check the cost whether buying a new smartwatch will be more practical.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Watch Battery Replaced?
If you’re going to a store where they offer same-day watch battery replacement, you would only need to wait 15 to 20 minutes as long as their watch repair staff is available.
For mail-in services, it can take 3 days to 3 weeks depending on the service provider.
Are All Watch Batteries the Same?
No, not all watch batteries are the same. There are many different kinds of watch batteries available. Before buying a watch battery, make sure it's compatible with your watch brand and model.
Signs You May Need to Change Your Watch Battery
If your watch is not keeping time, the hands are not moving, or if the watch has stopped working completely, the watch battery likely needs to be replaced.
You should also replace your watch battery if it's been more than 3 years since your last battery replacement.
Can I Replace the Watch Battery Myself?
While you can now search online and watch YouTube videos detailing how to replace your watch battery yourself, we don't advise doing this, especially if your watch costs more than a few hundred dollars.
You might end up doing more damage than good and it could void your warranty. If you're tight on cash, it's better to check the inexpensive options on this list to get your watch working again.
Get Affordable Watch Battery Replacement without Damaging Your Watch
If you’re looking for a low-cost, reliable way to get your watch battery replaced, one of the options listed above should work for you.
Just remember to take note of the type of battery your watch uses and compare the prices being offered before you decide where to get your watch battery replaced.
Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.
