All watches need some servicing from time to time, just like your car.
Just like your car needs regular maintenance, so, too, does your fine mechanical watch. Let’s face it, it is comprised of hundreds of tiny mechanical parts, as well as lubricants that if they get old, dry, or sticky can affect the way your watch works.
How often a watch should be serviced is the real question … and the answer varies depending on the age of the watch, the brand and the movement inside. Today’s new watches do not necessarily need servicing as often as older watches because today’s haute horology watches often have silicon parts inside, or ceramic ball bearings or other components that reduce friction and wear and tear. Generally, we suggest that new watches be serviced at least every five to seven years.
The length of time between servicing depends on multiple factors, but especially on the age of the watch.
Similarly, if you have a watch you bought more than a decade ago, it should also be serviced every five years at minimum to keep it running smoothly. Vintage watches (generally watches made before 1985) need more frequent servicing. Our suggestion is once every three or four years.
Essentially, full servicing of a watch entails removing the case back, disassembling the movement, cleaning of the components and then a reassembling of the movement with all new lubricants. All new gaskets are also added to the watch and a final testing is done to ensure it is fully water resistant and in prefect running order.
Because full servicing can be time consuming, you need to be patient. If you are unsure if your watch needs to be serviced or not, stop in an authorized retailer and ask.
