Signs Your Watch Needs a Service - & How We Can Help
Here at Chapter 79, we understand that a fine watch is more than just a device for telling time; it is a miniature marvel of engineering, a piece of wearable art, and often, a cherished heirloom. Whether your treasured timepiece is a sleek modern automatic or a delicate vintage manual wind, it requires meticulous care to maintain its precision and longevity.
Just like any high-performance machine, regular servicing is crucial. But how do you know when your watch is crying out for attention? Below, we detail the subtle (and not so subtle) signs that it's time to bring your beloved watch in for a service.
Inconsistent Timekeeping
This is the most obvious sign that your watch needs professional intervention. While even the finest mechanical watch isn't perfectly accurate, a deviation of more than a few seconds a day should raise a red flag. If your watch is gaining or losing significant time - say, a minute or more per week - it indicates a problem within the movement. This could be due to dried-up lubricants, internal debris, magnetisation, or wear and tear on essential components. Ignoring this issue means the components are grinding against each other, increasing the damage with every tick.
A Stiff or Grinding Crown
The crown is the main point of interaction between you and your watch’s movement, used for winding, setting the time, and adjusting the date. If turning the crown feels stiff, gritty, or rough, it's a strong indication that dirt, moisture, or metal fragments have found their way into the delicate mechanism. A smoothly operating crown is a sign of a well-maintained watch; resistance is a clear warning that internal friction is at play, and forcing it will only lead to a more costly repair.
Reduced Power Reserve or Winding Efficiency
A watch’s power reserve is the length of time it will run when fully wound and left off the wrist. If your automatic watch used to run for 40 hours after being taken off but now stops after 12, the mainspring or the winding mechanism needs inspection. Similarly, for a manual wind watch, if you feel you have to turn the crown significantly more often, the components are losing their ability to efficiently store energy. This usually points to old, congealed oils restricting the mainspring's ability to expand and contract.
Condensation Under the Crystal or Glass
If you notice even a tiny bead of moisture or a misty patch on the inside of the watch crystal or Glass, take immediate action. This is one of the most serious signs, indicating that the gaskets - the rubber seals that protect the movement - have degraded and failed, allowing moisture to breach the case. Water and condensation are the sworn enemies of a mechanical movement, causing rust, corrosion, and irreparable damage to the delicate steel parts and lubricants. A watch with condensation must be opened, dried, and serviced immediately to prevent total mechanical failure.
The Chapter 79 Bespoke Service
Located right here in Hertford, Chapter 79 offers professional watch servicing, repair, and restoration through our trusted specialist partners. While our in-house team handles watch battery replacements, strap changes, and selected case and strap refurbishments, full servicing and complex repairs are carefully managed off-site by experienced watchmakers we know and trust.
A complete watch service involves a meticulous, multi-step process, including the following:
Full Disassembly: The entire movement is taken apart down to the smallest screw and jewel.
Cleaning and Inspection: Every component is thoroughly cleaned in a chemical bath to remove old oils and debris, followed by a microscopic inspection for wear.
Replacement: Worn or damaged parts are replaced using manufacturer-approved or custom-machined components.
Reassembly and Lubrication: The movement is carefully reassembled and lubricated using the highest quality synthetic oils precisely applied to specific points.
Regulation: The watch is finely adjusted on a timing machine to ensure it is keeping time as accurately as possible.
Case and Bracelet Refurbishment: The case and bracelet are cleaned and polished (unless a vintage patina is requested), and new gaskets are fitted to ensure water resistance.
Look After Your Watch in Hertford
Your fine watch deserves expert care and attention. Whether it’s a simple battery replacement or a complete overhaul, Chapter 79 can arrange the right service for your timepiece.
Visit us in-store or call us on 01992 534 555 to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, send an email to workshop@chapter79.co.uk, and a member of the team will call you back.