Why does a watch need to be serviced?
Over time, whether a mechanical watch has been in regular use for years or sitting untouched for decades, it inevitably requires professional watch servicing. As the lubricating oils inside the movement evaporate or break down, they begin to mix with dust and microscopic debris that enters the case. This forms a sticky, abrasive residue that can cause significant wear to the watch’s delicate components—especially the balance wheel, which can oscillate anywhere from 14,400 to 36,000 times per hour. Without proper cleaning and lubrication, this gritty buildup accelerates wear on pivots and bearings, sometimes even more than if the movement had been left completely un-lubricated.
If you’ve recently acquired a vintage mechanical watch or inherited an old timepiece that hasn’t been used or serviced in many years, it’s essential to have it professionally serviced before putting it back into regular use. For watches worn daily, it’s generally recommended to schedule a full watch servicing every 5 to 7 years to ensure long-term accuracy and reliability. Regular watch maintenance not only preserves the value of your timepiece but also extends its lifespan for future generations.
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.
