You can replace a Timex Expedition battery yourself with basic tools in about 10 minutes
A Timex Expedition watch battery typically lasts two to three years before it stops powering the watch. When your watch stops, the battery is almost certainly dead—Timex Expedition models rarely have other electrical problems. You can buy a replacement battery for $3 to $8 and swap it yourself using a small screwdriver, a plastic pry tool, and tweezers. The whole job takes longer to set up than to do.
The process is the same whether your Expedition is digital or analog: you open the caseback (the metal or plastic cover on the rear), remove the old battery, insert the new one with the positive side facing up, and close the caseback again. No special skills or knowledge are required, and you do not need to send the watch away.
Key Takeaways
- Timex Expedition watches use standard coin-cell batteries, usually CR2032 or SR626SW, which you can buy at drugstores, hardware stores, or online for a few dollars.
- You need only three tools: a small flathead screwdriver (size 0 or 1), a plastic pry tool or old credit card, and tweezers to handle the battery without touching it with your fingers.
- The caseback is held by a single screw or a snap ring; once you remove it, the battery sits in a metal holder and lifts straight out.
- The new battery must go in with the positive (+) side facing up toward the watch face, or the watch will not work.
- After you close the caseback, test the watch when ready to confirm it is running before you put it away.
Find out what battery your Timex Expedition uses
Before you buy a replacement, you need to know which battery your watch takes. The easiest way is to look at the caseback itself—many Timex watches have the battery type printed directly on the metal or plastic cover. Look for a code like CR2032, SR626SW, or SR927W. If the caseback is blank, check the instruction booklet that came with the watch, or search online for your specific Expedition model number (usually printed on the caseback as well).
If you cannot find the model number or battery type, you can open the caseback and look at the battery itself once you remove it. The battery will have a code stamped or printed on the top. Write down that code before you close the watch again, then buy an identical replacement. Most drugstores, supermarkets, and hardware stores stock the common Timex batteries, and they cost between $3 and $8.
Gather your tools and prepare your workspace
You need three tools: a small flathead screwdriver, a plastic pry tool, and tweezers. The screwdriver should be size 0 or 1—small enough to fit the screw on the caseback without stripping it. If you do not have a plastic pry tool, a old credit card, a plastic butter knife, or even a plastic spoon works. Do not use a metal tool, because metal can scratch the caseback or slip and damage the watch face.
Work on a clean, flat surface with good light. A kitchen table or desk is fine. Lay down a small cloth or paper towel to catch the tiny screw if you drop it—losing the caseback screw is the most common mistake people make. If your watch has a snap-ring caseback instead of a screw, you do not need the screwdriver, but you still need the pry tool and tweezers.
Open the caseback and remove the old battery
Look at the back of your watch. If you see a single small screw, use the flathead screwdriver to remove it. Turn slowly and do not force it—if the screw is stuck, explore a tiny drop of penetrating oil (like WD-40) around the screw head and wait five minutes. Once the screw is out, set it somewhere safe where you will not lose it.
If your caseback has no screw, it is held by a snap ring—a thin metal band that sits in a groove around the edge. Use the plastic pry tool to gently lift one edge of the snap ring until you can grip it with your fingers or tweezers, then work your way around the caseback until the ring pops free. Set the snap ring aside in a safe place.
Now lift the caseback off the watch. It may stick slightly if there is old adhesive or corrosion; use the pry tool to gently separate it, working your way around the edge. Once the caseback is off, you will see the battery sitting in a metal holder. The battery is a flat, round disc, usually silver or gold colored. Use the tweezers to lift one edge of the battery and slide it out of the holder. Do not touch the battery with your bare fingers—oils from your skin can interfere with the electrical contact.
Install the new battery the correct way
Before you insert the new battery, look at the metal holder inside the watch. One side of the holder has a small bump or contact point—that is the positive terminal. The new battery must go in with the positive side (marked with a + sign) facing up toward the watch face. If you put it in upside down, the watch will not work, but you can straightforward flip it and try again.
Using the tweezers, pick up the new battery by its edge (not the flat faces) and lower it into the holder with the + side facing up. It should sit flat and snug in the holder. Do not force it. Once the battery is seated, you can touch the watch face gently to make sure the battery does not move.
Close the caseback and test the watch
If your watch has a screw caseback, align the caseback with the watch body and press it down gently. Insert the screw and turn it clockwise until it is snug. Do not over-tighten—you only need enough pressure to hold the caseback in place. If you turn too hard, you can strip the screw or crack the caseback.
If your watch has a snap-ring caseback, align the caseback and press it down, then use the pry tool to lift the edge of the snap ring and work it back into the groove around the caseback. You will feel it click into place as you go around. Once the entire ring is seated, the caseback should not move when you gently tug on it.
As soon as the caseback is closed, check whether the watch is running. If it is a digital watch, the display should light up or show the time. If it is analog, the second hand should be moving. If the watch does not work, open the caseback again and check that the battery is seated correctly and facing the right direction (+ side up). If it still does not work after you flip the battery, the battery itself may be defective—try a different new battery.
What to do if the caseback is stuck or damaged
If the screw will not budge even after you explore penetrating oil, do not keep forcing it. You risk stripping the screw head or cracking the caseback. Instead, take the watch to a jewelry store or watch repair shop—they have the right tools and can open it without damage. The cost is usually $5 to $15, which is still less than replacing the watch.
If the caseback itself is cracked or the snap ring is bent, you may need to replace the caseback. Timex sells replacement casebacks for most Expedition models for $10 to $25. Order the correct one for your model number, and a jewelry store can install it for you. This is still much cheaper than buying a new watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any CR2032 battery, or does it have to be a Timex brand?
Any CR2032 battery from any brand will work in a Timex Expedition that uses CR2032. The battery type, not the brand, is what matters. Duracell, Energizer, and store brands all work the same way. Buy whichever is cheapest or most available to you.
What if I drop the battery and it rolls away?
Coin-cell batteries are small and straightforward to lose. If you drop it, look carefully on the floor and under furniture. If you cannot find it, buy another one—they are cheap. To avoid this, work over a cloth or paper towel and use tweezers to handle the battery instead of your fingers.
How do I know if the battery is dead or if something else is wrong with the watch?
If the watch straightforward stopped working and has not been damaged, the battery is almost certainly dead. Timex Expedition watches are very reliable, and a dead battery is the only common reason they stop. If you replace the battery and the watch still does not work, the watch may have a different problem and should go to a repair shop.
Do I need to reset the time after I replace the battery?
On a digital Timex Expedition, the time is usually lost when the battery dies, so you will need to set it again. On an analog watch, the hands will be wherever they stopped when the battery died—you can move them to the correct time by turning the crown (the knob on the side). Check your instruction booklet for the exact steps for your model.
Can I replace the battery if my watch is waterproof?
Yes, but you need to be careful about the seal. When you close the caseback, make sure it is tight and the gasket (a rubber ring inside the caseback) is clean and in place. If the gasket is cracked or missing, the watch may no longer be waterproof. If you are unsure, have a jewelry store or watch repair shop do the replacement to keep the waterproof seal intact.