Quartz watches
Nearly everything that runs on a battery. A silver oxide cell behind a caseback that comes off with a case tool. Done at the studio.
Watch Battery Replacement · Upper Montclair, New Jersey
Watch battery
How a battery change works
Watch battery
replacement in Montclair,
sealed back properly
Bring the watch in and we find out what actually stopped it first. If it is the cell, the right one goes in and the case is sealed properly on the way back together. Estimates are free and made in person, at the studio on Bellevue Ave.
Verified industry membership
Proud member of Jewelers of America with JBT industry credentials.
Request a Battery Change
Tell us what the watch is. No obligation. Nothing is opened until you agree the price at the counter.
Quoted before anything opensThe estimate is free and made in person. Nothing is opened until you say yes to the price.
Any watch, any storeInherited, bought online or from a shop that has closed. Most Swiss and Japanese brands taken in.
Told if it is not the batteryA stopped watch is not always a dead cell. You get the real answer, not an upsell.
The process
Walk in.
Walk in.
Know what you are paying for
No appointment, no posting your watch anywhere. Three steps. You approve the price before anything is opened.
01
Bring the watch in
Walk in during opening hours. The case is identified, the cell it takes is confirmed and the caseback and gasket are checked before anything is opened.
02
We look before we open it
What the watch takes, how the caseback comes off and whether the movement is the real problem. That is where the estimate comes from. You hear it before any work is agreed.
03
Fitted, sealed and checked
The correct cell goes in and the case is closed the way it should be. If the watch is better sent to its manufacturer, you are told that instead of being sold a repair.
Before you assume
A stopped watch is not
A stopped watch is not
always a dead battery
Most of the time it is. Not always. The difference is worth knowing before you pay for a cell that was never the problem.
- Usually the battery. The watch has simply stopped and the crown is pushed in. Or the second hand has started moving in 2 or 4 second jumps instead of once a second, which on many quartz movements is the deliberate end of life signal telling you the cell is nearly flat.
- Usually not the battery. It stops and restarts as you move your wrist. It stopped right after a knock or a soaking. It has been steadily losing time for months. Those point at the movement, at a contact inside the case or at moisture. A fresh cell fixes none of them.
- Worth saying out loud. If a new cell goes in and the watch still misbehaves, you have learned something for the price of a battery rather than the price of a service. We would rather start there than talk you into the expensive answer first.
The part that gets skipped
A watch can keep perfect time
A watch can keep perfect time
and still be open to water
The cell is the cheap part of a battery change and the part everybody talks about. What decides whether your watch is still protected is the rubber gasket sitting in the back. It is also the easiest thing in the job to leave alone.
Every watch that claims any water resistance holds it with gaskets. There is one in the caseback, usually one at the crown and often one under the crystal. They are rubber, so they harden and flatten with age and heat. The moment a caseback comes off, the factory seal is broken and whether it goes back on properly is a decision somebody makes at that counter.
A fast change pops the back, drops in a cell and presses the back down onto the gasket that was already in there. The watch runs. It shows the right time. It is also no longer sealed against a rinsed hand, a rained on wrist or a shower. Nothing about it looks any different. The failure turns up weeks later as fog under the crystal. By then the moisture has been sitting on the movement.
What happens at Astra instead. The gasket is replaced rather than reused. The case is resealed, then pressure checked where the case allows. Being honest about the limit matters as much as the work. Resealing restores the seal, it does not certify a depth rating, so if a watch should no longer be trusted in water you get told that rather than sold a number.
What comes in
What we take in
What we take in
at the counter
Worth knowing before you drive over.
Swiss and Japanese brands
Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Cartier, Longines, Tissot, Seiko, Citizen and Movado all come in. Astra Jewelers is an independent jeweler, not an authorized service center for any of them.
Bought anywhere
Inherited, bought online or from a shop that closed years ago. It does not need to have been bought here.
Some take no battery
An automatic runs on a mainspring, so there is nothing to replace. Solar and kinetic hold their charge in a rechargeable cell. Both are usually a manufacturer job.
A watch that goes through batteries quickly is worth mentioning when you come in. It usually means the cell was wrong for the movement, the seal let moisture reach the circuit or the movement is drawing more current than it should. Full movement work is coordinated through specialist watchmakers and lives on our watch repair page.
What clients say
Real reviews,
Real reviews,
from real repairs
★★★★★
Came to Astra for jewelry repair since my engagement ring stone had fell off, Astra repaired the prongs and stone beautifully and quickly for a reasonable price. Owners were very friendly and knowledgeable!
★★★★★
Took my Movado watch to Astra Jewelers in Montclair owners Stephanie and Eddie were wonderful. I thought my watch was not working properly and Eddie sent it out to a Movado watch repair man as it turned out it just needed a battery and a gasket that was improperly put in.They were very honest and didn’t try and charge me for other work that was not necessary Even showed me pictures of what was wrong. I would highly recommend Astra Jewelers to anybody. Stephanie and Eddie were awesome.
★★★★★
Needed to get my engagement ring resized and they were so quick, helpful and thorough! Had it back ASAP (even over the weekend). Can’t say enough good things
★★★★★
Excellent professional service - very nice people and extremely knowledgeable about their craft. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Eddie and Stephanie are the best jewelers I’ve ever worked with! They are incredibly kind, patient, and truly take the time to sit down with you, listen to your vision, and understand exactly what you’re hoping to create. You can tell they genuinely care about making pieces that you’ll love and feel confident wearing. They are always open to conversation and revisions throughout the process, and they never once made me feel silly for asking questions, changing or refining my vision, or overthinking any detail. They’re also incredibly transparent throughout the process and keep you updated along the way, which made me feel informed and comfortable from start to finish. They made me feel completely comfortable throughout the entire process. Their work is beautiful and done with so much integrity, and I always felt valued as a customer. Their process truly feels customized to each person. There are no shortcuts or band-aid fixes—they take the time to make sure everything is done the right way. It was such a pleasure working with them on our rings and a pair of earrings for my mom. Every piece came out beautifully, and I’m so grateful for the care they put into everything. I look forward to continuing to work with them for years to come!
★★★★★
Lovely people to work with. Very responsive and helpful, even on short notice for a special occasion. An excellent experience. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Astra Jewelers is truly a gem! Stephanie and Eddie are incredible: so professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm. They make you feel like family from the moment you walk in. They’ve created several custom pieces for me, and their sourcing is fabulous. They have such an amazing eye for design. Everything feels elegant, elevated, and timeless. The 3D renderings are incredibly helpful because you can really visualize the pieces and fine-tune every detail before they’re made. Throughout the entire process, Stephanie and Eddie keep you updated every step of the way, which makes the experience feel easy, exciting, and completely personal. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are exceptional. I’m completely obsessed with every piece! Everything they’ve made for me has exceeded my expectations. Astra has absolutely become my go-to jeweler, and I recommend Stephanie and Eddie wholeheartedly to anyone looking for something truly special.
★★★★★
Stephanie and Eddie are amazing - I will be working with Astra Jewelers for all of my jewelry from now on! When my boyfriend and I walked in for our appointment to discuss a custom engagement ring on June 13, a kind group of customers were leaving the studio and told us how much they enjoyed their experience with Astra and we’ll be happy here. And they were 100% right. During that first appointment, Stephanie and Eddie thoughtfully listened to what I wanted for my custom ring and offered ideas when I was not able to verbalize what I envisioned. They were so welcoming, easy to talk to, and made us feel like this very important chapter in my boyfriend’s and my lives are in the best hands. Following our appointment, Stephanie kept me updated via text about the artist doing the renderings, clarified my visions even more, and helped communicate my unique, non-traditional dream “nature-inspired” engagement ring to the artist. She was responsive and helpful with my disorganized thoughts over text, and within weeks we had the most beautiful, creative, uniquely-mine ring ready for pickup. Our experience with Astra Jewelers was incredibly pleasant, calming, and stressless. Stephanie and Eddie are the best people to collaborate with, the best people to get the job done, and just overall a wonderful couple. We cannot recommend Astra Jewelers enough!
Before you come in
Watch batteries,
Watch batteries,
answered
How much does a watch battery replacement cost?
It is quoted at intake and the estimate is free. The cost depends on the cell the watch takes, whether the caseback is a snap fit or screwed down and whether the gasket needs replacing, which on most watches it does. A price over the phone would be a guess before anyone has seen the case. Bring the watch to 250 Bellevue Ave, 2nd Floor, Montclair, NJ 07043 and you get a real number for your watch.
Where can I get a watch battery replaced near me in Montclair?
Astra Jewelers at 250 Bellevue Ave, 2nd Floor, Montclair, NJ 07043 replaces watch batteries for walk in customers, Monday to Saturday, 10:00am to 6:00pm. The studio serves Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Verona, Cedar Grove and the rest of Essex County. It is a private studio on the second floor rather than a street level shop.
Will my watch still be water resistant after a battery change?
Only if the seal is rebuilt, which is the part most battery changes skip. Opening the caseback breaks the factory seal, so the gasket has to be replaced and the case resealed or the watch is left open to humidity even though it keeps perfect time. Astra fits a fresh gasket and reseals, then pressure checks where the case allows. Resealing restores the seal rather than certifying a depth rating, so you get told honestly whether a piece should still be trusted in water.
Why did my new watch battery die so quickly?
Usually one of 3 things. The cell was the wrong specification for the movement. The caseback was left with a compromised seal so moisture reached the circuit. Or the movement itself is drawing more current than it should because it needs service rather than a battery. A watch that eats batteries is telling you something. The answer is worth finding before the third cell goes in.
Do you replace batteries in smartwatches or an Apple Watch?
No. A smartwatch seals a rechargeable cell behind an adhesive bonded screen and pairs it with the software, so that work belongs with the manufacturer. We would rather say so than experiment on your watch. What we replace are the silver oxide button cells in quartz watches, which is a different job done with a case tool and a fresh gasket rather than a heat plate.
Can you replace the battery in a Rolex, Omega or other luxury watch?
We take in most Swiss and Japanese brands including Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Cartier, Longines, Tissot, Seiko, Citizen and Movado. Astra Jewelers is an independent jeweler and is not an authorized dealer or authorized service center for those brands. Where a piece is better sent to its manufacturer we say so at intake rather than after the fact.
Can you replace a battery in a watch I bought somewhere else?
Yes. Astra takes in watches from any store, of any origin and in any condition, not only pieces bought at the studio. An inherited watch, an online purchase or something from a chain that has closed are all welcome and all quoted at intake.
Do I need an appointment for a watch battery?
No, walk ins are welcome Monday to Saturday, 10:00am to 6:00pm. Booking ahead simply means someone is free to look at the watch the moment you arrive rather than serving the counter at the same time.
My watch stopped. Is it definitely the battery?
Usually, not always. A watch that has simply stopped is very likely telling you the cell is flat. So is one whose second hand has begun jumping in 2 or 4 second steps rather than ticking once a second, which on many quartz movements is a deliberate end of life signal. A watch that stops and restarts as you move is pointing at something else. So is one that stopped right after a knock or a soaking or one that has been losing time gradually for months. Bring it in and the cheap possibility gets ruled out first.
Does my watch even take a battery?
Not every watch does. An automatic or hand wound watch runs on a mainspring and has no cell in it at all. Solar and kinetic watches store their charge in a rechargeable cell rather than a standard one. Replacing those is usually a manufacturer job rather than a counter job. If you are not sure which you have, bring it in and you will be told at no charge.
Visit the studio
FIND ASTRA IN UPPER MONTCLAIR
We are a second-floor studio on Bellevue Avenue. Appointments get you undivided attention. Walk-ins are welcome during opening hours.
Address
250 Bellevue Ave, 2nd Floor, Montclair, NJ 07043
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:00am-6:00pm