TIANQIUA quartz watch stops when its cell is exhausted — usually after two to five years. The replacement itself is straightforward, and the two things that decide the result are the correct cell and a clean, dry workspace.
What does the whole watch battery swap look like?
What do you need to replace a watch battery?
- A case-back tool (or a small flathead screwdriver for snap-back cases) and a case-holder or a soft cloth to protect the crystal
- Non-metallic tweezers — a metal tool across the cell and the movement can short the circuit
- The correct cell, matched by size and voltage
- Latex finger cots if you want to keep the movement free of fingerprints
Why read the old cell before buying?
Watch cells are sold under several numbering systems, and the code on the old cell is the safest thing to copy. Not every watch takes a coin cell — an Apple Watch has a sealed rechargeable battery with no cell to swap, and the sizes below do not apply to it. Our own data for the common watch sizes:
| Model | Voltage | Size (Ø × H) | Capacity | Also marked as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 377 | 1.55V | 6.8 × 2.6 mm | 24mAh | SR626SW · SR626 · 376 |
| 371 | 1.55V | 9.5 × 2.1 mm | 38mAh | SR920SW · 370 |
| 364 | 1.55V | 6.8 × 2.1 mm | 18mAh | SR621SW · AG1 |
| SR626 | 1.55V | 6.8 × 2.6 mm | 27mAh | SR626SW · 377 · 376 |
| SR44 | 1.55V | 11.6 × 5.4 mm | 175mAh | SR44W · 357 · 303 |
| CR2032 | 3.0V | 20 × 3.2 mm | 190mAh ~ 255mAh | 5004LC · ECR2032 · KCR2032 · DL2032 |
Silver-oxide cells (SR, 377, 371, 364) hold a steady 1.55 V, which is what keeps a quartz movement accurate to spec. CR cells are 3 V and are not interchangeable with them.
How do you replace a watch battery, step by step?
- Open the case back. For screw-backs, use the correct die and turn gently; for snap-backs, lever at the notch. Work over a tray — springs and gaskets love to disappear.
- Note the polarity and how the cell sits against the clip. Photograph it.
- Lift the old cell with plastic tweezers. Do not pry against the movement.
- Check the gasket while the back is open. A dry or flattened O-ring is the reason a watch fogs up after a battery change.
- Fit the new cell the same way round, then press the clip down until it holds the cell flat.
- Reset and test. Many quartz movements need the seconds hand stopped and restarted (or a quick “reset” with the crown pulled) to align the hands. Then confirm the watch keeps time for a day before you return it.
What if the watch is not yours?
For a customer’s watch, the practical limits are the same, plus one rule: never force a case back that does not seat. If the gasket is perished or the threads are damaged, send it to a watchmaker — the cost of a failed water seal is higher than the cost of the battery.
How do you buy watch cells in volume?
We produce the silver-oxide sizes above plus CR coin cells on our own lines, and we pack them as required: individual blister, 5-pack, or bulk for repair shops. Codes and equivalents (377 = SR626SW, 357 = SR44, AG13 = LR44, and the 364 / SR621SW that fits most 6.8 mm watch movements) are printed to match what your market expects.