When Should You Service Your Watch? A Practical Guide

Whether it’s a faithful daily companion or a cherished heirloom, your watch deserves thoughtful care to keep it running reliably for years to come. While quartz and mechanical watches operate differently, both benefit from periodic maintenance. Like any precision instrument—or a well-loved car—regular servicing helps ensure performance, longevity, and peace of mind.

Below is a guide based on how often you wear your watch and the type of movement inside.

Daily Wear – Every 4–6 Years

Mechanical watches are intricate machines. With regular use, lubricants gradually break down, and wear particles can accumulate. Timely servicing keeps the movement precise, maintains water resistance, and helps prevent long-term damage.

Occasional Wear – Every 6–8 Years

Watches that see occasional wear experience less stress—but oils still age and gaskets can still deteriorate. Even if everything seems fine, quiet issues may be developing beneath the dial.

Stored Mechanical Watches – Every 5–7 Years

Unworn doesn’t mean untouched. Lubricants dry, seals shrink, and moisture can creep in. Regular inspection and preventive care help preserve these timepieces while in storage.

Vintage Mechanical (Pre-1980) – Every 3–5 Years

Older watches often use different materials and oils, and many parts are more delicate or irreplaceable. Routine care is essential to preserve both function and value. If you’ve inherited or acquired a vintage piece, it’s wise to have it checked—even if it appears to run well.

    Daily Wear – Every 5–7 Years

    Quartz movements are remarkably reliable, but daily use places steady wear on gaskets, lubricants, and other key components. A full service every 5–7 years keeps the movement clean, properly lubricated, and sealed against moisture. We’ll also check for battery leakage—an often silent issue that can lead to costly damage.

    Occasional Wear – Every 7–10 Years

    Even watches worn only now and then need care. Lubricants degrade over time, and seals can lose effectiveness. Infrequent wear calls for less frequent servicing, but it’s still essential to prevent unnoticed deterioration.

    Stored Watches – Check Every 3–5 Years

    When a quartz watch is stored, the battery poses the biggest risk. If left too long, it can leak and cause corrosion. We recommend checking stored watches every few years—just to be safe.

    Quartz Chronograph or Complications – Every 4–6 Years

    Complicated quartz movements (like chronographs or alarms) draw more power and contain more moving parts. They benefit from slightly more frequent maintenance to ensure accuracy and reliability.

    Need Guidance? We’re Here.

    If you’re unsure whether your watch is due for service, just reach out. We’re always happy to take a look, offer honest recommendations, and help you plan for the care of your timepiece—whether it’s a daily companion or a treasured legacy.

    Signs Your Watch Might Need Service

    Even if your watch still runs, it might be telling you something’s not right. Here are some common signs that a check-up is due:

    For Mechanical Watches
    Losing or gaining time – If your watch is off by more than a minute or two per day, it likely needs regulation or deeper attention.

    Reduced power reserve – If a full wind doesn’t last as long as it used to, oils may have dried out or friction is increasing.

    Stiff winding or setting – If the crown feels harder to turn or uneven, the keyless works may be dirty or worn.

    Unusual sounds – Clicking, grinding, or harsh ticking could mean something is out of alignment or dry.

    Moisture under the crystal – Fogging or droplets suggest a seal has failed, and internal components could be at risk.

    For Quartz Watches
    Sudden stopping or erratic ticking – Might be a dying battery, but could also mean a leak or electronic fault.

    Corroded battery contacts – Visible damage in the battery compartment often means a battery has leaked—act quickly to prevent internal damage.

    Hands skipping several seconds at a time – Some quartz watches have a “low battery indicator” that skips seconds as a warning.

    For Any Watch
    Hasn’t been serviced in over 5–10 years – Even if it’s running fine, dried oils, aging gaskets, and wear particles can cause long-term harm.

    It’s been dropped or knocked – Even a small impact can affect alignment, accuracy, or water resistance.

    Inherited or vintage – If you’re unsure of its service history, it’s wise to have it checked, even if it seems to work fine.

     

     

    What’s Included in a Full Watch Service

    • Complete movement inspection
    • Disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning, and re-lubrication
    • Battery replacement (for quartz models)
    • Replacement of gaskets and seals
    • Pressure testing for water-resistant watches, after special request
    • Timing regulation and performance testing

    Preserve the precision. Protect the story. Let your watch keep perfect time—for years to come.