Knowing when to service your watch prevents costly repairs. This article guides you in determining the ideal frequency based on your model (mechanical, quartz, or vintage) and identifying urgent warning signs. You will also discover how to choose a reliable workshop and anticipate costs, ensuring the longevity of your timepiece.
Understanding the Ideal Servicing Frequency
The servicing frequency of a watch primarily depends on its movement and its quality, as well as how the watch is used. Indeed, if you frequently use it in water (or in a humid environment) or during strenuous physical activities (involving shocks), it will often be necessary to have it serviced more frequently. A violent shock can misalign the balance wheels, while condensation accelerates the corrosion of components. Adapt your servicing schedule to your specific usage conditions.
By watch type, here are average figures:
- Mechanical movement watches (automatic or manual) require maintenance every 5 to 10 years, though some older, lower-quality watches might require servicing every 3 to 5 years.
- Quartz models can go for 10 to 20 years thanks to their simplified electronic circuit. Intensive use or humid environments reduce these timelines. For these types of watches, it is often necessary to re-establish water resistance first and foremost.
However, sometimes it is not advisable to wait for these intervals, as several malfunctions require urgent intervention from a watchmaker:
- Significant loss of accuracy: exceeding your watch’s average deviation by 10 seconds/day
- Water resistance failure with fogging or even water inside
- Blocked hands or erratic movements
- Abnormal noises coming from the case
- Stiff crown or non-functional pushers
These symptoms often reveal mechanical problems requiring a prompt overhaul.
Choosing the Right Service Provider and Anticipating Costs
Authorized vs. Independent Workshops: Advantages and Limitations
| Watch Type | Average Cost | Technical Details |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz Watch | €7 – €80 | Standard battery replacement (€7) or complete movement replacement (sometimes for only €80) |
| Simple Mechanical Watch | €100 – €500 | Complete overhaul including cleaning, lubrication, and precision adjustment |
| Automatic Chronograph | €300 – €800 | Complex disassembly with verification of pushers and counters |
| Complication Watches | Upon quotation | Specialized interventions for perpetual calendars or moon phases |
Official service centers guarantee the use of original parts and preserve your manufacturer’s warranty. Their brand-specific expertise often justifies higher prices.
Unprofessional repairs risk irreparably damaging the movement. Improper disassembly can cause internal scratches or incorrect reassembly of sensitive components.
Estimated Budget and Factors Influencing Price Variation
The total cost combines skilled labor, ultrasonic cleaning, and replacement of worn parts. Complex movements require more intervention time.
The final quotation depends on several technical parameters:
- Condition of seals to be replaced
- Presence of oxidation on internal components
- Rarity of mechanical parts to source
- Need for additional services such as polishing
Aesthetic options such as case polishing or strap replacement are added to the basic quotation. A new metal strap starts at €80 for standard models.
