Why does a watch need to be serviced?
If a watch has been used for a years, or setting around for some time (years, even decades) debris make there way into the “guts”, and the oil evaporates and deteriorates. This deteriorated oil mixes with the dust and create a sticky gritty substance that actually wears the pivots more than if there was no oil at all . The balance wheel in particular receives extreme wear, as it oscillates from 14,400 to 36,000 times per hour.
If you have acquired an old watch that has not been serviced or used for quite some time, and you plan to start running it, then it should be fully serviced. After that it is generally recommended that a watch be serviced every 5-7 years if run on a daily basis.
Servicing procedure
When a watch is serviced, it is completely disassembled, cleaned, reassembled and lubricated. Oil is placed sparingly and only at the locations that need lubrication (i.e. pivots, jewels). This reduces the possibility of the oil migrating away from the lubrication points via capillary action. Here is a list of what is generally done during service:
- Hand cleaning of all jewel bearings
- Cleaned in a five jar chemical agitation and ultrasonic cleaning machine
- Inspected for wear, repair if necessary
- Re-assembled, and oiled using quality synthetic oils
- Epilame otherwise know as Fix-o-Drop is applied to the escapement to inhibit oil migration
- Mainspring greased and replaced if needed
- Specific locations in the setting works greased
- Wear contact points in a chronograph are greased
- Timed (Regulated)
- High grade precision watches are checked and adjusted for position
- Case cleaned, polished (if appropriate), and gaskets replaced or greased if applicable
Please note that when a watch is sent in for service, it is inspected for wear or damage. If repair is needed that goes beyond a service, the customer will be provided a quote for the service and needed repairs.
How often should your watch be serviced?
In the early 20th century, watchmakers advised having a watch cleaned and oiled every year to year and a half, as the organic lubricants used at the time broke down relatively quickly compared to today’s synthetic oils. Even vintage watches serviced within the last 50 years may still have been lubricated with these older, less stable oils. Despite professional recommendations, many watch owners postponed maintenance—often waiting until the watch had completely stopped before seeking repairs.
Today, modern synthetic oils are used in watch servicing because they offer greater longevity and stability compared to older, natural oils. These lubricants are less prone to drying out or becoming sticky over time, which helps the movement run more smoothly for longer periods. As a result, watches serviced with synthetic oils typically require maintenance only every 5 to 7 years, depending on wear and usage. If you have a valuable vintage watch and do not know its service record, it is a good idea to have it serviced before regular use.
For more information on initiating the repair of your vintage watch see getting started. Further reading: Choosing where to have your watch repaired.
