Levi KeswickKey Takeaways:
- Regular servicing is critical for the longevity and performance of your watch, just like a car.
- The servicing process involves multiple stages including disassembly, cleaning, part replacement, and reassembly.
- Brands suggest servicing mechanical watches every 4-5 years, but this depends on usage and lifestyle.
- The cost of servicing varies depending on the brand and complexity of the watch, with Nomos service cost being a prime example.
- Quartz and digital watches require less maintenance, but it’s still recommended to clean quartz watches during battery changes.
Understanding Watch Servicing: An Essential Aspect of Ownership
Just as you would maintain a car with regular servicing, so too should your mechanical watch be looked after. Many new watch owners may not consider this during their purchase, however, regular servicing by a certified specialist extends the life of your watch and ensures it functions accurately for years to come.
Demystifying the Watch Service Process
Servicing a watch is a complex procedure that calls for expertise and precision. The watch is first disassembled, allowing for a thorough cleaning and polishing. Components showing wear and tear are replaced, and then the watch movement is reassembled, lubricated, and regulated. The gaskets, critical for water resistance, are also replaced. Following the servicing, the watch undergoes accuracy tests, ensuring it’s in top working condition.
The Importance of Regular Servicing
A watch is essentially a miniature engine strapped to your wrist, and over time, the oils lubricating its parts dry up. This leads to increased friction, affecting the accuracy of the watch and making components like the crown harder to turn. Regular servicing prevents the accumulation of metal dust from increased wear and tear, thereby maintaining the watch’s precision and prolonging its lifespan.
Some signs that your watch might need servicing include:
- The watch is not keeping accurate time.
- There’s moisture inside the case.
- Any components appear loose or wobbly.
How Often Should You Service Your Watch?
Most watch companies recommend servicing your mechanical watches every 4-5 years. However, this can vary based on factors such as frequency of wear, exposure to elements, or your lifestyle. For example, if you regularly wear your watch during physical activities or underwater, it will require more frequent servicing. For those who wear their mechanical watch infrequently, it’s advisable to wind and run the watch at least once a month to keep the internal components lubricated.
Decoding the Nomos Service Cost
The cost of servicing can vary greatly depending on the brand and complexity of your watch. The Nomos service cost, for instance, falls into a particular bracket due to the brand’s high-end quality and complexity. For perspective, the servicing of a basic mechanical watch can cost anywhere between $100 to $1,000, with brands like Oris at around $200, while a complex Patek Philippe could be as high as $2,000. It’s important to remember that a mechanical watch, with its many parts, requires expert attention and considerable time for servicing.
Choosing the Right Place for Servicing
You should ideally service your watch at the retailer where it was purchased or any authorized retailer of the brand. Using a non-authorized service center while your watch is under warranty may void the warranty. Most brands provide a list of authorized service centers on their websites.
Service Duration: A Matter of Patience
Servicing a watch is a meticulous job that requires time. It’s reasonable to expect a servicing period of a few weeks, although complex watches or watches requiring international shipping may take longer, even up to six months in some cases.
What about Quartz and Digital Watches?
Quartz and digital watches, having fewer moving parts, require significantly less maintenance than mechanical watches. However, it’s recommended to clean your Quartz watch when changing the battery. As for digital watches, they essentially need no servicing due to the absence of moving parts.
In conclusion, maintaining the health and longevity of your watch involves regular servicing. The frequency and cost, like the Nomos service cost, depend on multiple factors, including the watch’s complexity, brand, and your usage habits. It’s an investment worth making to ensure your timepiece continues ticking accurately for years to come.
