How Often Should You Service Your Watch?

Whether you own a fancy smartwatch, a classic mechanical timepiece, or a simple quartz watch, understanding when to service it is crucial for maintaining its functionality and longevity.

Smart Watches: When to Replace the Battery

Smart watches do not require regular servicing like traditional mechanical watches. However, you should replace the battery when it runs out, which typically happens when the watch's battery life is nearing its end. To extend battery life, avoid overcharging and keep the battery level between 20-80 percent. Charging your smartwatch to 85% can also prevent it from overcharging, which can lead to a shorter battery life over time.

Regular Maintenance for Mechanical Watches

For mechanical watches, regular servicing is recommended to ensure optimal performance and longevity. While modern lubricants can last longer than their predecessors, it's still advisable to have your watch serviced approximately every 5 to 10 years depending on its usage and the level of complexity.

Signs Indicating Service is Needed

Here are some signs that signal it's time to service your watch:

Loss of accuracy: A mechanical watch should keep accurate time. If your watch gains or loses more than a minute per day, it may need servicing. Affects in amplitude and beat error: These are technical indicators that your watch movement may be malfunctioning. Deterioration of performance: If your watch runs poorly, with poor amplitude or accuracy, servicing might be necessary.

Cost Considerations and Personal Factors

The decision to service your watch depends on several factors, including the cost and the sentimental value of the item.

Smart Watches: Replacing the battery is typically cost-effective, especially if it's a more expensive brand. For example, a battery replacement for a high-end smartwatch may cost around $50-100.

Mechanical Watches: The cost of a service can vary widely. For instance, replacing a movement in a Rado watch like the Dia Star 1969 can be extremely expensive, while a premium service might cost around $200-$300.

For a Seiko with an NH35A movement, the cost of a service is comparable to replacing the entire movement, making service a more economical choice. However, if the watch has sentimental value or belonged to a loved one, the decision to service may be influenced by that attachment, rather than cost.

Quartz Watches: Quartz watches can also be serviced, but the process is different from mechanical watches. Regular servicing of a quartz watch can help maintain its accuracy and condition. The signs of a quartz watch needing servicing include poor accuracy or irregularity in the timekeeping.

Key Components of a Mechanical Watch Service

During a mechanical watch service, several components are typically replaced or serviced, including:

Cap Jewels: Typically lubricated with Moebius 9010. Oscillating Weight, Center, and Third Wheels: Lubricated with Moebius 9104. Main Spring and Mainspring Barrel: Lubricated with Moebius 8200. Escapement and Pallet Jewels: Lubricated with Moebius 0914.

Understanding these key components can help you appreciate the complexity and care required in maintaining your mechanical watch.

Conclusion

Whether you're a digital watch enthusiast, a connaisseur of mechanical timepieces, or a quartz watch collector, understanding when to service your watch is crucial. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your watch continues to serve you well, whether for fashion, function, or sentiment.