As the proud owner of a luxury watch, you've no doubt invested a significant amount of time and money in selecting and maintaining your timepiece. But like any complex piece of machinery, your luxury watch requires regular care and maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Here are six common signs that your luxury watch needs a service checkup:
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Moisture or water intrusion: Any amount of moisture can damage watch parts through corrosion and rust buildup. Moisture inside a watch case disrupts lubrication, affects watch mechanisms and poses a risk of stopping the watch completely [1]. Proper service can clear out moisture, replace damaged parts and apply fresh lubrication.
Mist or fog on the watch face also indicates moisture has penetrated the case and seals [4]. A watchmaker will identify the source of the leak, replace any damaged seals and remove moisture before it damages the movement.
Certain watches have more water resistant qualities than others due to the way they have been manufactured. One of our favorites for their water resistant qualities is the Tissot Seastar 1000. The most impressive feature of the Tissot Seastar 1000 is its extreme water resistance. It has a rating of 30 bar or 300 meters (1000 feet), which is enough for professional diving. This level of water resistance is achieved through a combination of design elements such as the screw-down crown that ensures a tight seal that prevents water from entering the crown tube even under high pressure. The Seastar signifies a high level of precision Swiss engineering, robust construction, and reliability - even under the most demanding conditions.
Despite all of these remarkable features added into this luxury timepiece, it is not reflected into this particular Tissot watch cost as it compares favorably to other pieces in the Tissot Philippines collection. Thus we consider this to be a great first piece for the adventurous and discerning collector.
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Inaccurate timekeeping: If your luxury timepiece is keeping poor time by running too fast, too slow or stopping intermittently, its mechanical parts likely need oiling, adjusting or replacement [2]. Regular servicing ensures your watch movement continues to operate at optimal efficiency.
Sudden or drastic changes in timekeeping accuracy may point to problems like magnetization or worn parts. Magnetization can cause a watch to gain time as much as a minute per day [5]. Proper demagnetization and mechanical adjustments during service can restore normal timekeeping.
- Noisy operation: Loose or worn parts can produce a rattling sound inside the watch case. The noise level may increase as parts degrade further [3]. Servicing allows a watchmaker to identify the noisy parts, tighten loose screws, replace worn components and oil key moving parts to reduce noise.
- Broken or malfunctioning components: Broken watch hands, buttons, crowns or other parts require replacement during a service to restore full functionality [6].
- Any visible scratches or dents on the case, bezel or crystal glass that expose the inner metal parts should be checked and repaired by a professional. Exposed metal can quickly lead to corrosion if not sealed properly.
- Issues with the winding mechanism, stem, crown or pushers are a sign your watch needs service to determine the corrective action. These parts are critical for winding the mainspring and adjusting the time, so any problems should be fixed promptly.
We recommend regular servicing every 3 to 5 years to maintain optimal performance, even if your watch is functioning properly. This allows the watchmaker to inspect, clean, lubricate and adjust parts as necessary to prolong the life of the movement. Servicing also provides an opportunity for a full checkup and replacement of worn components like gaskets, seals, springs and jewels before they fail completely. This can help avoid more serious repair needs and expensive repairs down the road.
While it's tempting to try to fix minor issues yourself, it's always best to have an experienced professional handle service and repair work on your luxury watch. Not only will they have the skills and knowledge to properly diagnose and repair any issues, but they'll also have access to high-quality replacement parts and tools to keep your watch running in top condition for years to come. Plus, most reputable watchmakers offer warranties and guarantees to protect your investment against defects and workmanship issues. So don't wait until it's too late - if you notice any of the signs above, contact your local watchmaker and schedule a service checkup today! Your watch will thank you for it in the long run.
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Sources:
[1] https://charlesmartinwatchcompany.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-luxury-watch-brand-servicing
[2] https://nobswatchmaker.com/blog/the-definitive-guide-to-getting-your-watch-serviced
[3] https://mywatchmerchant.com/blog/signs-your-luxury-watch-needs-to-be-serviced/
[4] https://www.swisswatchexpo.com/TheWatchClub/2023/03/21/why-do-luxury-watches-need-to-be-serviced/
[5] https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a34100479/when-to-visit-the-watchmaker/
[6] https://www.thewatchlab.co.uk/2020/09/01/how-to-tell-if-your-watch-needs-servicing/
[7] https://bestwatchselect.com/how-do-i-know-if-my-watch-needs-to-be-serviced/
[8] https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/watch-101/why-do-luxury-watches-require-service.html
[9] https://watchesoftoday.com/service-a-watch-guide/
[10] https://amaviwatches.com/blogs/news/signs-that-your-watch-needs-to-be-serviced
[11] https://www.bobswatches.com/blog/tips-and-tricks/water-resistant-watch-moisture.html
[12] https://concepts.com/blog/when-should-you-service-a-watch/
[13] https://griffincustomsterling.com/signs-your-watch-needs-service/
[14] https://mywatchmerchant.com/blogs/news/signs-your-luxury-watch-needs-to-be-serviced/
[15] https://edgeofsanity.net/signs-watch-needs-serviced/
[16] https://www.swatchandson.com/pages/when-to-service-your-watch
[17] https://luxury-insider.com/watch/why-does-a-watch-need-to-be-serviced