Most Anne Klein quartz watches use a 377 (SR626SW) silver‑oxide battery. With a small screwdriver, a case‑opening tool, and about ten minutes, you can do this yourself. The critical steps are opening the case without bending the metal, keeping the rubber gasket intact, and inserting the new battery positive‑side up. This guide walks through the process, points out the common mistakes, and tells you exactly when to stop and hand it to a pro.
Tools and the Right Battery
Gather these items before you start. Using the wrong tool can damage the case or the movement.
| Item | Why you need it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement battery | 377 (SR626SW) silver‑oxide cell. | Confirm by checking the old battery’s markings. Avoid alkaline or lithium cells – they have different voltage and may damage the movement. Buy from a well‑known jewelry supply store or a trusted online retailer; batteries that sat on a shelf for years can fail early. |
| Small flat‑head screwdriver | Prying open snap‑back cases. | #0 or 1.5mm blade. Sharpen the tip slightly if it’s blunt – a dull screwdriver can slip and scratch the case. |
| Case‑opening wrench or adjustable spanner | For screw‑down case backs (less common on Anne Klein, but found on some dress models). |
| Do not use pliers – they will mar the metal. |
| Plastic or nylon‑tip tweezers | Handling the battery without short‑circuiting it. | Metal tweezers touching both terminals at once can drain the new battery instantly. |
| Soft cloth | Protecting the crystal and cushioning the watch. | A microfiber cloth works well. |
| Rubbing alcohol and a Q‑tip | Cleaning battery contacts. | Use 91% isopropyl alcohol. Wait for it to dry completely before inserting the battery. |
Step‑by‑Step Battery Replacement
Work on a clean, well‑lit table with the cloth underneath the watch. Follow these steps in order.
1. Stop the movement. Pull the crown out to the time‑setting position (usually one click). If the crown is screw‑down, unscrew it counter‑clockwise first. This stops the hands from skipping when power is removed and keeps the date (if any) from advancing at the wrong hour.
2. Remove the case back.
- Snap‑back (most Anne Klein models): Insert the screwdriver into the small notch on the rim. Twist gently – do not pry with force from one spot. Instead, work your way around the edge, popping small sections at a time. If you bend the case back, it will never seal again.
- Screw‑down back: Use the wrench or spanner. Turn counter‑clockwise. If it’s extremely tight, apply steady, even pressure – no jerking. If the back has multiple grooves, use the correct pin size to avoid stripping.
3. Locate the battery and note its orientation. The battery sits under a metal retaining clip. Look for a “+” mark on the holder or a printed diagram on the movement. In most Anne Klein watches the positive side faces up (toward the crown). The positive side of a silver‑oxide cell is the flat, smooth side; the negative rim is slightly raised. Take a photo with your phone before removing anything – it’s the fastest way to avoid guesswork during reassembly.
4. Remove the old battery. Lift the retaining clip gently with the screwdriver or tweezers. Some clips swing to the side; others snap out completely. Once the clip is free, use plastic tweezers to lift the battery by its edge. Never use metal tweezers on the flat surfaces – a short circuit can drain the new battery before you even install it. If the battery is stuck, nudge it from below with a plastic toothpick.
5. Inspect the gasket and contacts. The rubber O‑ring around the case back is the only thing keeping moisture out. If it’s dry, cracked, flattened, or missing, do not reuse it. A damaged gasket will let moisture in, and a single exposure to sweat or rain can ruin the movement. Replace it with a properly sized gasket (generic 28–32mm case gaskets often fit Anne Klein). Wipe the battery contact points inside the watch with a Q‑tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. Let everything air‑dry for 30 seconds.
6. Insert the new battery. Place the fresh battery into the pocket with the positive side up (unless your photo shows otherwise). Press it down gently until it sits flush. Re‑attach the retaining clip, making sure it holds the battery firmly and does not touch any other metal parts (like the case rim or a spacer). If the clip feels loose, the battery may be upside down or the wrong thickness.
7. Temporarily test the watch (before sealing the case). This is the most important checkpoint many people skip. Hold the case back in place but do not snap it on. Pull the crown out to the stop position, then push it back in. The second hand should start ticking within two seconds. If it does not, remove the battery and re‑check polarity. Do not proceed to seal the case until the watch runs. If it still fails after a second attempt, stop and escalate (see the escalation threshold below).
8. Reinstall the case back.
- Snap‑back: Align the case back with the groove. Press firmly with both thumbs around the perimeter until you hear a click. Rotate the watch and press again in a different spot to ensure it’s fully seated. If you feel any resistance, remove the back and check that the gasket hasn’t shifted.
- Screw‑down back: Hand‑tighten counter‑clockwise until it stops, then give it a firm quarter‑turn with the wrench. Do not overtighten – you can strip the threads or crack the crystal.
9. Final test. Set the correct time. Watch the second hand for at least one full minute. It should tick at a steady one‑second pace without skipping or stuttering. Check that the crown screws down smoothly (if applicable) and that the case back is flush – no gap, no wobble.
Where Most People Get Stuck – and How to Spot It Early
Two errors account for nearly all DIY battery failures on Anne Klein watches:
- Battery inserted upside down. A 377 cell installed negative‑side up will not power the watch. The fix is simple – flip it – but if you sealed the case back, you’ll have to go through step 2 again. This is why the pre‑seal test in step 7 is critical.
- Pinched or misaligned gasket. When you snap the back on, the gasket can roll out of its groove. The watch may still run, but water resistance is gone. Signs of a pinched gasket: you feel extra resistance while pressing, or the case back sits crooked. Stop, remove the back, and reseat the gasket.
Less common but harder to spot: a loose or shifted plastic spacer. Some Anne Klein models have a plastic spacer ring around the battery. It can slide during removal. If the watch runs for a few hours then stops, the spacer may be preventing the clip from making contact. Re‑center the spacer over the battery before you reinstall the clip.
Movement damage risk. Never force a case back that won’t close. If the watch runs but you hear a rattling or grinding sound when you move it, a component may have come loose during the battery swap – stop, and do not continue winding or setting the time. Take it to a watchmaker.
How to Confirm the Repair Worked (Verification)
After full reassembly, run this quick check before wearing the watch:
1. Second hand motion: Observe it for one minute. It should move in a single, smooth one‑second jump. If it ticks twice per second (high‑beat), or stutters and skips, the battery may not be seated, or the movement’s train could be damaged.
2. Crown function: Pull the crown out – the second hand should stop (if the movement has a stop‑second feature). Push it back in – the hand should resume immediately. If the crown feels gritty or sticks, the stem may be misaligned.
3. Case back seal: Run your fingernail around the seam. There should be no gap or sharp edge. If the back bows outward, remove it and reseat the gasket.
4. Water resistance (optional): If you plan to wear the watch in the rain or during hand‑washing, do a simple test: press the crown in fully, then submerge the watch in a glass of room‑temperature water for five minutes. If you see bubbles, the seal is compromised – dry it immediately and replace the gasket.
When to Stop DIY and Escalate to a Professional
You have handled what you can. Stop the moment any of these appear:
- The watch runs, then stops after a few hours or a day. The battery may be old stock, counterfeit, or the movement has a hidden electrical drain. Replace the battery once more with a fresh cell from a different batch. If the problem repeats, it’s a movement issue – not a battery problem.
- Rust, corrosion, or green/white powder in the battery compartment. This means moisture already entered. Cleaning the contacts yourself may cause further damage. A watchmaker will need to disassemble the movement and replace corroded parts.
- The crown won’t screw down or pulls out with resistance. The stem or keyless works may be damaged. Forcing it can strip internal threads.
- You applied reasonable force and the case back still won’t close. The battery might be too thick, or a spacer is misaligned. Do not hammer it – take it to a pro.
When to take it to a shop after a successful swap: If the watch runs fine but you cannot find a replacement gasket that fits, a jeweler can measure the case and order the correct size. The cost is usually under $15 and saves you from buying a new watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different battery size?
No. Even a 0.1mm difference in thickness can prevent the case back from closing or damage the retaining clip. Stick to the exact number stamped on the old battery (typically SR626SW or 377).
Do I need to replace the O‑ring every time?
Not needed if the gasket is still soft and uncracked. But inspect it carefully – if it feels hard, has a flat spot, or shows any cracks, replace it. A dry gasket is the number‑one cause of water damage after a battery change.
My watch ran briefly after the new battery, then stopped. What now?
First, flip the battery orientation (most likely upside down). If that doesn’t help, the replacement battery may be dead on arrival – test it with a multimeter (should read 1.55V). If it’s fine, the movement may have a short or a loose gear. That’s beyond DIY.
Is it safe to wear the watch immediately after replacing the battery?
Yes, as long as the case back is seated and the crown is pushed in fully. Avoid submerging the watch for 24 hours to let the gasket settle if you reused it. If you installed a fresh gasket, the watch is water‑resistant right away.
With a steady hand, the correct battery, and these checkpoints, you can get your Anne Klein running again in under fifteen minutes. If you hit any of the stop signals, hand it off to a professional – it’s far cheaper than a new movement or a ruined watch.
The We Know Watches editorial team brings together over 40 years of combined watch collecting, trading, and repair experience. Our editors have owned and handled watches from every major brand — from entry-level Seiko 5s to Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, and independent Swiss watchmakers. We’ve bought and sold at auction, worked with authorized dealers, visited manufacturing facilities in Switzerland and Japan, and serviced hundreds of movements ranging from the Seiko 7S26 to the Longines L888. Every guide and review we publish is based on hands-on experience, original research, and consultation with professional watchmakers. We do not accept payment for reviews, and we clearly disclose when we use affiliate links.