Watch Battery Replacement & Resealing
Professional installation of Swiss silver-oxide cells. Includes full gasket inspection and water resistance pressure testing as standard.
Expert Watch Battery Replacement in Lancashire & UK-Wide
A dead battery is more than just an inconvenience; leaving a flat cell inside your quartz watch is the leading cause of movement failure. Over time, old alkaline batteries can leak corrosive acid, destroying the delicate circuit boards and copper coils inside. At Prime Time Watch Repairs, we don’t just “swap and go.” We treat a battery change as a mini-service, ensuring your timepiece is powered by fresh, high-grade Swiss energy sources that prevent leakage and ensure longevity.
Crucially, every time a watch case is opened, the factory water-resistant seal is broken. A standard jeweller or market stall often neglects this, leaving your expensive diver’s watch vulnerable to moisture, sweat, and rain. We take a different approach. We replace the rubber gaskets and perform a full vacuum and pressure test to certify that your TAG Heuer, Omega, or Breitling is once again watertight to its manufacturer specifications, giving you total peace of mind.
Get a free estimateOur Watch Battery & Reseal Process
We use the same diagnostics and tooling as the major Swiss service centres.
Before opening the watch, we test the movement from the outside to ensure the issue is indeed the battery. Once opened, we test the “consumption” of the movement circuit. If the watch is draining power too quickly (indicating dried oil or dirt), a new battery won’t last. We will advise you if this is the case.
We use specific case dies (such as for the Rolex Oyster or Breitling polygonal backs) to open your watch without scratching the case back or damaging the knurling.
We remove the old cell and inspect the contacts for corrosion. We then install a fresh Renata Swiss Silver-Oxide battery (0% Mercury). These are the industry standard for stable voltage and leak resistance. We do not use cheap alkaline alternatives.
This is the “Reseal” part of the service. Rubber O-rings perish and flatten over time. We remove the old case-back gasket and, where accessible, the crown gasket. We lubricate new silicone seals with Fomblin grease and install them to ensure a perfect airtight barrier.
The watch is re-cased and placed in our Sigma or Witschi pressure testing chamber. We perform a vacuum test (for low pressure) and a high-pressure test (up to 30 Bar/300m) to simulate diving conditions. You receive a pass result confirming the seal.
We set the time and date (ensuring the date changes at midnight, not midday). We check the EOL (End of Life) indicator if applicable and give the case a light ultrasonic clean to remove external dirt before returning it to you.
See why hundreds of customers trust us with their watch battery replacement
Brands we cover for watch battery replacement
We regularly perform watch battery replacement on major brands including Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Cartier and more.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the answers to the most common questions our customers ask about watch battery replacement.
If you want to wash your hands, shower, or swim with the watch, yes. Once the back is opened, the seal is compromised. Without a pressure test, we cannot guarantee the watch remains waterproof. For high-value watches like TAG Heuer or Omega, it is essential insurance against water damage.
If you visit our Lancashire workshop, we can often perform a Battery & Reseal within the hour (Same Day). For our postal customers, we aim to turn the watch around within 48 hours of receipt.
We primarily use Renata or Energizer Industrial Silver-Oxide cells. These are Swiss-made, high-capacity batteries used by brands like Omega and Breitling in the factory. They are less likely to leak than standard batteries.
Many Swiss quartz watches (like the Omega Seamaster) have an EOL (End of Life) indicator. When the battery is low, the second hand will jump in 4-second intervals. This is a warning to change the battery immediately to prevent leakage.
Yes. We offer a 2 year warranty on the battery life and the water resistance (provided the watch passes the pressure test). If the battery dies within a year, we will replace it free of charge.
This usually means the movement has high consumption (dried oils or dirt in the gears) or the previous repairer used a stale/cheap battery. Our consumption test identifies if your watch actually needs a service rather than just a battery, preventing you from wasting money on batteries that drain in weeks.
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