Watches remain timeless, even with all the digital technology around us. Mechanical watches are worth the investment and are brilliant gifts to pass down through the generations. Digital watches are yet to possess the luxury and class of a mechanical watch.
It is essential to understand how your watch works so you can properly maintain it. Here are a few things to watch out for when examining your watch.
Is it quartz or mechanic?
The term ‘watch movement’ refers to the engine that powers the watch and makes it operate. With proper maintenance, watch movement will uphold accurate timekeeping.
Quartz watches use a battery as their primary power source. Quartz watches are accurate, inexpensive and require minimal maintenance aside from occasional battery replacements. They are the no-frills practical choice of watches. Direct drive motors and other synchronous motors are commonly used in watches to maintain precise and accurate timekeeping.
However, mechanical watches use the energy from a wound spring as a power source. A high-quality complex series of components work together to release energy to the watch. Mechanical watches are luxurious and can last forever with the correct care.
Signs your watch needs servicing
If your watch has stopped completely, you either need to replace the battery or check to see if there is a movement fault.
Typically, the watch will notify you that the battery is low by jumping the second hand in 5-second intervals. Don’t ignore this. If you leave a depleted battery inside a quartz watch, it can cause extensive damage over time. Bear in mind; quartz batteries need to be replaced every 1-3 years, depending on age, condition of movement and the type of watch you have.
Does your watch have moisture under the glass? Chemicals and humidity under the glass can be a sign the watch’s seals have perished or have been incorrectly sealed. Get it serviced to avoid further damage!
The crown is a tiny stem inside the watch. It can become too stiff or loose, making it impossible to change the date and time. If the crown has detached, the watch’s stem may have snapped, and you need to replace it.
Vintage watches tend to lose a couple of minutes every day. Make sure to get your older watches regularly serviced to check for any faults in the movement.
How to service your watch
It would help if you got your watch fully serviced every 2-3 years. Waiting more than five years can cause specific components to wear down and cost you more in the long run. A complete service involves disassembling the watch movement, inspecting each piece, replacing damaged ones and cleaning every part. Mechanical watches may require more frequent maintenance to check all small gears, miniature screws and thin springs. Ask your service provider to apply lubricant to these components to prevent any friction within the watch.
Photo by Malte Luk from Pexels
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