CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
IndependentsDec 05, 2017
Ask the Watch Woman: Batteries 101
Sheila Gendron guest authors National Jeweler’s watch column and starts with something simple--a video on how to change a watch battery.
Sheila Gendron is one of the founders of Colorado Timeworks, a watch service center for single or multiple location retail jewelers. Contact the business at timeworks@hush.com.
Editor’s note: Sheila Gendron is stepping in temporarily for National Jeweler’s occasional watch columninst, her son Jess Gendron.
Why is it important to know how to do such a seemingly menial and simple task as a watch battery replacement correctly?
Far too often, we see watches that need major watch repairs that could have been avoided by a little education. These are repairs that cut into a store’s bottom line because a clerk made an error while changing a battery, or pulling out a screw-down crown without unscrewing it, or improperly opening a caseback, or myriad other innocent mishaps that can ruin a customer’s watch. Cause these problems enough times and your reputation is ruined.
Your store is not only judged by your inventory, but also by your level of service. I have a friend who tests a hair salon by how well they wax her eyebrows. If they treat that service like it was beneath them, or don’t do a good job at it, she won’t let them cut her hair.
Many customers surreptitiously will have you replace a battery in a cheap watch before they bring you their Rolex for repair, just to see how you handle something as simple as that. If you handle it in a caring and professional manner, you’ll get their business. If not, you’ll miss out on profits.
Watch battery replacement services can lead to many opportunities for building profits in other ways as well.
You can create a database of potential customers in other areas of your store by having a reminder service. Send the battery customer a yearly postcard to remind her or him to have their battery replaced again, or offer a “five-year battery,” which means you will replace her or his battery for the next five years for free at a one-time price of, say, $39.95 (or whatever your market bears).
If her or his watch is beyond needing just a battery, you have an opportunity to service the watch or sell the customer a new one. Plus, you now have a customer who will return several times in that five years and you can use your sales skills to sell her or him other items and services.
Now, changing a watch battery is not rocket science, but doing it correctly and professionally is a skill. You need to know what not to touch, when to open a watch
Why is it important to know how to do such a seemingly menial and simple task as a watch battery replacement correctly?
Far too often, we see watches that need major watch repairs that could have been avoided by a little education. These are repairs that cut into a store’s bottom line because a clerk made an error while changing a battery, or pulling out a screw-down crown without unscrewing it, or improperly opening a caseback, or myriad other innocent mishaps that can ruin a customer’s watch. Cause these problems enough times and your reputation is ruined.
Your store is not only judged by your inventory, but also by your level of service. I have a friend who tests a hair salon by how well they wax her eyebrows. If they treat that service like it was beneath them, or don’t do a good job at it, she won’t let them cut her hair.
Many customers surreptitiously will have you replace a battery in a cheap watch before they bring you their Rolex for repair, just to see how you handle something as simple as that. If you handle it in a caring and professional manner, you’ll get their business. If not, you’ll miss out on profits.
Watch battery replacement services can lead to many opportunities for building profits in other ways as well.
You can create a database of potential customers in other areas of your store by having a reminder service. Send the battery customer a yearly postcard to remind her or him to have their battery replaced again, or offer a “five-year battery,” which means you will replace her or his battery for the next five years for free at a one-time price of, say, $39.95 (or whatever your market bears).
If her or his watch is beyond needing just a battery, you have an opportunity to service the watch or sell the customer a new one. Plus, you now have a customer who will return several times in that five years and you can use your sales skills to sell her or him other items and services.
Now, changing a watch battery is not rocket science, but doing it correctly and professionally is a skill. You need to know what not to touch, when to open a watch
(hint: it’s not the first step in the process), where to perform the task (not on a back counter with your butt facing the customer), what equipment will help you (use a case press, not the edge of a counter) and many more nuances of the process.
Because of our commitment to jewelers’ profitability, we are offering a free video on replacing watch batteries (scroll to the bottom and click where it reads “Free Download.)
But don’t do any of this if you are going to treat a watch battery replacement service like a pain in the neck. If that’s the case, then just leave the profits to your competitors.
Sheila Gendron is one of the founders of Colorado Timeworks, a watch service center for single or multiple location retail jewelers. It also offers watch service training, conference speaking and seminars. Contact Colorado Timeworks at timeworks@hush.com to open an account, or visit Timeworks.biz.
Because of our commitment to jewelers’ profitability, we are offering a free video on replacing watch batteries (scroll to the bottom and click where it reads “Free Download.)
But don’t do any of this if you are going to treat a watch battery replacement service like a pain in the neck. If that’s the case, then just leave the profits to your competitors.
Sheila Gendron is one of the founders of Colorado Timeworks, a watch service center for single or multiple location retail jewelers. It also offers watch service training, conference speaking and seminars. Contact Colorado Timeworks at timeworks@hush.com to open an account, or visit Timeworks.biz.
More on Independents
The Latest
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
FinancialsOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in CanadaThe New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal CatalogThe “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysHoliday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky RingThe red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHoThe jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New YorkThe Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Tariffs Throw Diamond Trade Into DisarrayThe 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
De Beers Adopts New Strategies to Drive Natural Diamond Demand in IndiaDe Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
For Jewelry Manufacturers, Higher Tariffs Create Long-Term WorriesThey are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.
