How to Replace a Movado Watch Battery: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
You can replace most Movado quartz watch batteries in about 20 minutes with a case knife, non-magnetic tweezers, and the correct silver-oxide cell. The biggest risk isn’t the electrical swap—it’s damaging the gasket, which instantly kills any water resistance and can turn a $10 job into a $150 repair.
Work on a clean, flat surface with good light and plenty of time. A dark microfiber cloth or tray catches the small parts you’ll handle, and taking a photo of every layer before you remove it costs nothing but saves hours of guesswork.
Before You Start: Tools and Preparation
Gather everything so you aren’t reaching for things halfway through.
– Case-opening tools
A snap-back case knife (thin, dull blade) for press-on backs, or a Jaxa-style adjustable wrench for screw-down backs. A pocketknife has no place here—it’s too sharp and too hard to control.
– Non-magnetic tweezers
Plastic-tipped ideally. Metal tweezers can short the new battery or leave tiny scratches on delicate contacts.
– Soft pad or movement holder
Keeps the crystal and dial protected while the watch is face down.
– Case back press
Essential for an even, flush reseal on snap-on backs. Hand pressure almost never seats the back completely, and the uneven load is what chews up gaskets.
– Silicone grease
A tiny blob—less than a grain of rice—keeps the rubber gasket pliable. Don’t overdo it; too much grease attracts dust and can seep where you don’t want it.
– Replacement battery
The most common cell across Movado Museum and Bold models is SR626SW (also marked 377). Always open the case first to verify. Read the old battery’s engraving or measure the compartment—6.8 mm diameter and 2.6 mm height almost always confirms SR626SW. Snap a clear photo of the battery and its orientation as soon as you can see it.
– Magnification and a clean toothpick
A loupe or strong reading glasses help you inspect the gasket and small retaining spring fingers. The toothpick lets you move plastic spacers or retaining clips without conducting electricity or scratching terminals.
Pull the crown out to the time-setting position before you begin. That removes power from the movement and makes a short much less likely while you’re poking around.
Replacing the Battery: Step by Step
If any step feels like it needs real force, stop. Let the pictures you took guide reassembly.
1. Identify the case back type
Flip the watch over. A snap-on back has a smooth, barely visible seam without notches. A screw-down back shows six or more notches around the rim, usually accompanying engraved text.
2. Open the case
*Snap-on back:* Find the small lip or indentation along the seam. Insert the case knife blade at a low angle, then twist gently until you feel a pop. If you feel grinding or the blade skips, pull out and re-seat—you’re about to cut into the case.
*Screw-down back:* Fit the Jaxa wrench pins into the notches, hold the watch securely, and turn counterclockwise. Keep the wrench flat so you don’t strip the ridges.
3. Inspect the interior and decide next move
This pause determines whether you keep going or hand it off.
A clean, dry battery well with bright gold contacts and a soft, round gasket means you can proceed. If you see green or white crust around the battery or contacts, do not start scraping—the corrosion may have already compromised the circuit board’s delicate traces. That is a stop point. Take the watch to a professional before the damage spreads to the movement.
If the plastic movement spacer is cracked, loose, or completely missing, the battery won’t stay aligned after you close the case. In that situation, order a replacement spacer specific to your Movado caliber or let a watchmaker secure it. Continuing without a solid spacer usually leads to intermittent stops a few days later.
4. Remove the old battery
Lift the battery by its edge with tweezers. If a metal retaining clip covers it, slide the clip aside with a clean toothpick—never use metal on the clip’s spring finger. Prying under the battery with force can lift the circuit board. The cell should release with light, upward pressure.
5. Check and clean the contacts
The gold-plated tabs inside the well should be shiny. Wipe any light grime with a dry cotton swab. For stubborn spots, use a swab barely dampened with 99% isopropyl alcohol and let it air-dry completely before inserting the new cell. Alcohol residue that hasn’t evaporated can cause a no-start.
6. Insert the new battery
Place it in the exact same orientation as the old cell—positive side up if that’s how you found it. Press gently until it seats flush. Reinstall any retaining clip exactly the way it came out; compare against your photo. The clip should make firm, even contact with the battery’s edge without tilting.
7. Close the case securely
*Snap-on back:* Inspect the gasket first. If it’s flattened, cracked, or has taken a set that makes it hard to seat, replace it. Smear the thinnest possible film of silicone grease on the gasket, set the case back in place, and use the case press with steady, even pressure until you hear a crisp click. Run a fingernail around the seam—the back should be truly flush everywhere.
*Screw-down back:* Align the threads by hand, turn until you feel them engage cleanly, then finish with the wrench. Resistance should build smoothly, not bind. If it suddenly goes tight and then loose, back off and realign; you’ve cross-threaded it.
Stop Signs: When to Hand It Over to a Professional
Some issues escalate quickly and aren’t worth the risk at a home bench.
– Corrosion in the battery well that reaches beyond the battery itself, especially white or fuzzy growth on the circuit board. Scraping almost always lifts the thin copper traces underneath.
– A movement spacer that’s cracked or missing. The battery will shift under wrist motion, causing erratic stopping that frustrates you for weeks.
–
Explore This Topic
– Back to Movado
– Back to Movado Battery
Related guides in this cluster:
– How to Change a Battery in a Breitling Watch: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
– How to Replace a Fossil Watch Battery: Step-by-Step Guide for All Models
– How to Replace a Bulova Watch Battery: Complete Guide for All Models
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.