How Often Does A Watch Need Servicing?

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Like all kinds of machinery, a watch too needs regular attention in the form of maintenance and repairing. The world of Haute Horlogerie is a fascinating form of art that meticulously combines science and craft. Luxury watchmaking, by definition, is an extension of watchmaking and follows the same rules as the latter. These ‘rules’ also include proper maintenance of watch components and parts.

A Guide to Watch Servicing: Simplified

In this blog, we will be diving head-on into facts and know more about watch serving. We will be exploring the world of watches and the perfect ways to take care of them.

When Do They Need A Complete Overhaul?

Most luxury watch manufacturers recommend an overhaul or complete servicing once every five years. Some recommend four years; others go on and claim this number to be 10 years. Law of averages tells us every five years is a good as well as appropriate range to keep in mind.

It really depends on how much and how often the watch is worn. The amount of wear and tear plays a crucial role here. How the watch is stored when off the wrist. As a rule of thumb, the more the watch is worn, the better. In conclusion, a watch needs an overhauled approximately once every five years.

Contrary Views

On the other hand, some watchmakers believe that the more sparingly a watch is worn, the less frequent its servicing needs to be. It all really depends on the overall usage. It is simply impossible to depict when a mechanical watch might act up or show malfunction. Probably that is why they came up with this rule of thumb.

Factors Affecting Watch Function

Machines are not immune to climate and environmental changes and so aren’t watches. For a watch, it is immensely important that it be taken care of in the proper fashion. Environmental factors play a huge role. The 5-year rule of thumb mentioned above fluctuates according to it as well.

For instance, if you have a dive watch that you take to the seas every day, the 5-year window becomes the maximum time period not the minimum. O-ring rubber gaskets could crack and the screw-down threads might be compromised. The worst case scenario could be that your watch movement is flooded with seawater. You certainly do not want that to happen.

Other similar environmental factors that affect the operation of watches are exposure to humidity, heat, and corrosive substances.

Watches With Complications

Watchmakers have stated this again and again that complications do not play a role in the time interval of watch being serviced. A watch is watch, whether it has a chronograph, an annual calendar, a perpetual; calendar, or a flying tourbillon.  All watches must comply to general watch servicing needs in order to ensure longevity.

It is also true that watches with complications are tricky to handle. Elite complications such as minute repeaters, slit second chronographs, and so on have numerous tiny components all working together. These parts rely on oiling and lubrication to a great extent. Without the oils, the friction caused by the metal parts in the watch can lead to disastrous results.

Modern-day watchmaking, however, is evolving. Watchmakers are coming up with materials that are immune to wear and tear, or at least take a longer period to get worn down.