GUEST POST: Guide to servicing a watch

Luxury watches are often seen as investments and whether they are worn often or only on the rarest of occasions, watch cleaning and watch servicing is still something you should consider.  A luxury watch requires a similar amount of care as a fine piece of jewellery and in order to get the same precision as the day you handed over your hard earned money for the timepiece, servicing is required just as you would provide for any other machinery.

It’s easy to forget that your watch is actually a tiny little piece of working machinery, and servicing / cleaning on a regular basis will keep it in the best working condition.

 

Watch Servicing: What to Expect

So what exactly does watch servicing involve? Just like you would oil a machine, watch servicing looks at all the different parts of a timepiece and ensures that everything is fine tuned to be in complete working condition for years to come. Always speak to your watch servicing company about the process involved but here is a general watch servicing process.

1.  A watch is stripped down with the movement removed, case stripped down, the dial and hands are removed. The watch is now ready for the stages of refurbishment and ultrasonic cleaning.
2.  Parts are checked for wear and tear before being placed in a cleaning basket. The entire watch is checked thoroughly to ensure that everything is in good working condition.
3.  Case and bracelet is polished and sanitised to ensure that it looks and feels as clean as possible. This is important in eliminating any dust or dirt that has settled on the watch parts.
4.  Case is assembled with new gaskets and movement parts are all cleaned and prepared for assembly.
5.  Movement is set to manufacturer specifications to ensure that it is fully working and accurate for the user.
6. Dial and hands are replaced and then checked for timing and accuracy.
7.  Water resistance is then checked.
8.  Auto-testing methods will be put in place using a machine to check again for timing errors. This is the most accurate way to ensure that a watch matches up to a manufacturer’s specifications.

Why You Need to Service Your Watch

Even watches which are kept in their original packaging and are rarely ever worn require, regular cleaning and servicing. Cleaning and servicing does not imply that your watch is dirty – it is simply a way to ensure that your expensive timepiece prolongs its lifeline and continues to work for you even after years of ownership.

Dust particles can settle on the moving parts of your watch and oils can dry up around pivots which can cause problems with your watch’s ability to function. And as every single watch is unique, it’s important that you pay attention to your manufacturer’s guide which will have been provided on the day of purchase. Some watches will come with a free cleaning service or there may be recommended servicing specialists who can help.

If you are looking to buy a new luxury watch, view Richard Mille watches for sale online today. Richard Millie is a luxury watch retailer who can also offer watch cleaning and watch repair services.