Watch Battery and Strap Service at a Local Jeweller

A stopped watch and a strap that does not fit are two of the most common things people bring to a jeweller, and both are quick fixes when a professional does them. A battery swap or a strap adjustment takes minutes on our bench, and doing it right protects the watch in ways a kitchen-drawer attempt does not. Here is what watch battery and strap service actually involves, and when to bring it in.

Watch battery replacement is not just a battery

A quartz watch, the everyday kind that ticks once a second, runs on a small battery that lasts roughly one to three years. Replacing it sounds simple, and the part is cheap, but the work around it is what matters. Opening a watch case the wrong way scratches it or bends the back. The rubber gasket that keeps water out has to be seated properly, or the watch loses its water resistance. And the right battery has to go in, matched to the exact reference. When we change a battery, we open the case cleanly, fit the correct cell, check and reseat the gasket, close it properly, and confirm the watch is running. For a water-resistant watch, resealing carefully is the whole point.

One more reason not to leave it: a dead battery left inside for a long time can leak and corrode the movement. If your watch has stopped, it is worth swapping the battery sooner rather than letting it sit.

Strap and bracelet service

The other common job is making a watch fit and keeping it wearable. That covers a few things:

• Sizing a metal bracelet. We remove or add links to fit your wrist, and keep the spare links for you in case your fit changes.
• Replacing a worn strap. Leather straps crack and stretch over time. We match a new strap to the correct width and style so it fits the lugs properly.
• Spring bars and pins. The little bars that hold the strap to the case wear out and can let a watch fall off a wrist. Replacing them is cheap insurance.
• Clasp and buckle fixes. A loose or broken clasp is a common cause of a lost watch, and usually an easy repair.

What a jeweller does, and what needs a watchmaker

A jeweller with a proper bench handles batteries, straps, bracelet sizing, spring bars, and clasps, the everyday watch work most people need. Deeper mechanical work, servicing an automatic or mechanical movement, cleaning and oiling the internals, or fixing a fault in the movement itself, is specialist watchmaking, and for a valuable or vintage mechanical piece that is who you want. We will always tell you honestly which category your watch falls into rather than take on something that belongs with a specialist. This sits alongside the other everyday repairs in our guide to what a local jeweller handles.

Key Takeaways

• Quartz watch batteries last about one to three years, and a proper swap includes reseating the gasket to protect water resistance.
• A dead battery left inside can leak and corrode the movement, so replace it promptly.
• Strap service covers bracelet sizing, new straps, spring bars, and clasp repairs, all quick bench jobs.
• A jeweller handles batteries and straps; a watchmaker services mechanical and automatic movements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does a watch battery need replacing?

Most quartz watches need a new battery every one to three years, depending on the movement and features. When the watch stops or the second hand starts jumping in bigger steps, the battery is low. Replace it promptly, because a dead battery left inside can leak and damage the movement.

Can I change a watch battery myself?

You can, but it is easy to scratch the case, disturb the water-resistance gasket, or fit the wrong battery. A professional opens the case cleanly, fits the correct cell, reseats the gasket, and confirms the watch runs. For any water-resistant watch, that careful resealing is worth having done properly.

Can a jeweller size my watch bracelet?

Yes. Sizing a metal bracelet by adding or removing links is a standard bench job, usually done while you wait. We keep the spare links for you in case your fit changes later. We can also replace worn straps, spring bars, and clasps.

Does a jeweller repair watch movements?

A jeweller handles batteries, straps, bracelet sizing, spring bars, and clasps. Servicing a mechanical or automatic movement, cleaning and oiling the internals, is specialist watchmaking. For a valuable or vintage mechanical watch, that work belongs with a watchmaker, and we will point you in the right direction.

Sources

• Based on Vanhess bench practice: watch battery replacement and strap service as we carry them out in our Coquitlam workshop.

Reviewed 19 July 2026.

Visit Vanhess

We change watch batteries and size straps on the spot at 2929 Barnet Highway, Unit 2424 in Coquitlam, usually while you wait. Bring in a stopped watch or one that does not fit, or call +1 (604) 653-6449. See our other everyday repairs in the Coquitlam repair guide.