Watch battery

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Watch battery

by Laurell Close
(Vermont)

Hi,
I am a self taught jewelry maker. I create jewelry with beads and some wire wrapping. My watches seem to be a really popular item. I cannot seem to find good quality watch faces. The battery dies quickly, and I haven't been able to locate decent equipment to remove the back of the watch and change the battery without damaging it.

Can you recommend a website and perhaps a video giving step by step instructions for changing the battery. I would also love to find a website that has strictly watch faces. Any suggestions you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Laurell Close

The Innovative Beader

Comments for
Watch battery

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Making watch batteries last longer
by: Rena

Hi Laurell,

One thing that makes the batteries last longer in the watches you have in your jewelry inventory:

Keep the stopper (the little knob on the side of the watch head that you pull out to set the time) pulled out until you actually sell the watch.

Otherwise the batteries start running down before customers even purchase them.

When I used to make beaded wristwatches, I made sure all the watch heads' stoppers were pulled out to the "off" position, from the moment I received a new batch of them from the supplier.

I'd push the stopper back in to the "on" position briefly to test each watch head, then pulled it back out to "off", where it stayed until the customer purchased the watch.

Hope this helps you get more mileage from your watch batteries!

Watch that Battery
by: Patricia C vener

I've only once created a bead woven band for a watch (a commissioned birthday piece). The watch face was chosen for it's look from a seller on etsy. It came to me with a little red band in place to keep the little stopper thingie from accidentally being pressed in.

watch faces
by: Anonymous

Hi. Have you tried Rio Grande for a tool to remove watch backs? They have videos on practically everything, they may have one that shows how to use it too. I don't know if they sell the watch faces, but they have almost every jewelry tool imaginable.
There is a place in Shelbyville, Michigan that sells watch "heads" meaning the whole part that runs the watch minus the band. I don't know if you just mean the dial when you say watch face. If you did a google search for slide bracelet parts you would find them. I'm pretty sure they have quality parts, I've bought magnetic clasps from them often at shows and have been very happy.

Watch Head - Crown
by: Jules

Hi all, just thought you might like to know - the item being referred to as the watch head is actually the watch "crown". Save the battery life by pulling it out just enough to stop the watch battery from running. Be careful not to pull too hard or you can pull the crown out of the base and that will cause you a potential expensive fix.

Watch crowns
by: Rena

Jules, thank you so much for this extra info on watches! I'd never heard of a watch crown, so I'm glad you stopped by to help us understand watches a little better.

Thanks again! :)

Don't Refrigerate
by: Doug Kelly

If anyone tells you to put them in the refrigerator or the freezer, DON'T! It does not help them at all, well it might help them corrode faster.

Watch battery
by: JoAnne Green

I began replacing watch batteries and watchband pins a couple of years ago. I do it as a public service and only charge for the cost of the batteries. I do not charge for the pins. All of these are available on ebay. I carry 3 sizes of batteries and ask my customers to bring their own battery if one of mine wont fit.

The 16 piece kit for these services costs less than $10 total on ebay. Make sure it comes with instructions. You really need to know the tools that protect the crystal while you replace the back, and how to remove the back. It is well worth the money.

I agree about the little tabs that hold the stem partway out. A thick piece of card stock or a piece cut from a shirt box will do the job. cut a piece of the stock in an attractive shape (use a scrapbookers medium punch?) then use an awl (such as a bead reamer)to punch a centered hole, then cut a small slit to the hole. Slip it under the stem, if the watch stops it is thick enough. Take care - as was suggested - not to pull the stem out too far.

Watch battery
by: The Innovative Beader

Thank you very much for your helpful tips!
I didn't realize EBay sold kits to change out watch batteries. Is there a specific name I should search under? Thanks again!

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