Even with the best care, your watch needs a little expert attention now and then to stay precise and elegant. But how often should you service it? Should you follow the brands schedule, or can you be flexible? Let’s break it down.
What does it mean to service your watch?
A full service includes a few complicated procedures. It starts by opening the watch, disassembling the movement, and cleaning all of its parts. If damaged parts are found, they are fixed or replaced. Once it’s cleaned, the movement is reassembled and its parts, especially contact points, are fully lubricated.
The gaskets – a mechanical seal that fills the parts between two surfaces – are also changed to ensure that water resistance is maintained. The watch is then adjusted and timed for accuracy.
Why should you regularly service your watch?
Manufacturers often recommend service intervals ranging from 3 to 5 years.
- Preserving Mechanism Integrity: Inside every watch is a complex assembly of tiny parts working in unison. Regular servicing ensures that each component is functioning as intended, free from the wear and tear that can accumulate over time.
- Maintaining Value: Adhering to recommended service intervals helps maintain or increase your watch's value.
- Ensuring Accuracy: The precision of a watch can be affected by various factors, including dust accumulation, lubricant degradation, and mechanical wear. Regular servicing realigns and recalibrates the mechanism, ensuring your watch keeps time accurately.
When should you service your watch?
Must you adhere to the 3-5 year guideline?
Well, it depends.
Factors such as how often the watch is worn, environmental conditions, and the age of the piece all influence the servicing of your timepiece.
For example:
- a watch worn daily in a humid environment
- a diver’s watch used in the water often
- a vintage watch
All of these would need to be serviced more often.
Some signs you need servicing:
If your watch isn’t keeping accurate time, it’s possible that your movement has been magnetized; the lubrication in your watch is drying up and needs to be oiled again or some parts have been worn down or affected by impact.
If you notice moisture or condensation inside the watch case, this may indicate that the gaskets have been worn out or that the watch was not resealed properly. This can be a critical issue. It can lead to rust and corrosion of the movement, so you should get it serviced immediately to prevent further damage.
If you listen carefully and hear unusual sounds such as grinding, ticking louder than usual, or irregular noises this can suggest something is amiss internally, such as a spring or screw that’s not in place
Generally speaking, if you notice something odd or different, bring your watch in.
Getting your watch serviced can feel like a chore, but it's necessary to extend the life of your timepiece and preserve its value. Cote Timeworks is here for all your horological needs!
