Watch Repair

What Watch Repair Involves

Watch repair is not a single procedure — it encompasses everything from diagnosing why a movement has stopped to performing a full service of every component inside. The nature and scope of the work depends on what the watch needs, and that's what the initial assessment is designed to determine.

For mechanical watches, a common reason for stopping or losing accuracy is lubrication failure. Watch movements contain dozens of moving parts, and the oils that reduce friction between them degrade over time — typically over a period of five to eight years, though this varies by movement design and storage conditions. When oils dry out or congeal, friction increases, parts wear more quickly, and the watch loses the ability to run accurately or at all.

A full mechanical service involves carefully disassembling the movement, cleaning each component ultrasonically, inspecting for wear, re-lubricating with appropriate watch oils and greases, reassembling, and adjusting for timekeeping accuracy. When worn components are identified during inspection, we discuss replacement options with you before sourcing any parts.

What We Work On

We service a broad range of movements across both mechanical and quartz categories. This includes manual and automatic mechanical calibers from most Swiss, German, and Japanese manufacturers, as well as the majority of quartz movements found in everyday and mid-range watches. For highly complex complications (perpetual calendars, tourbillons, minute repeaters), we assess on a case-by-case basis and will advise if the work falls outside our current scope.

We do not decline vintage watches as a category. Older movements can be more involved to service, but they often respond very well to a proper clean and lubrication. Sourcing period-appropriate parts for rare calibers can sometimes add time to a service, and we will communicate this during the assessment.

Common Repair Scenarios

Some of the most frequent reasons customers bring watches to us include:

• The watch has stopped completely and will not restart
• Significant gain or loss in daily timekeeping (more than 30–60 seconds per day for a mechanical watch)
• Intermittent stopping — the watch runs for a few hours or days then halts
• Grinding, ticking, or unusual sounds from the movement
• Crown that feels stiff, loose, or fails to engage the setting function properly
• Date or other complications that do not advance correctly
• Watches purchased used, inherited, or recently acquired that have an unknown service history

What You Should Expect

When you bring a watch in for repair, the first step is always the assessment. We examine the movement's condition, note any visible wear or damage, and determine what the watch needs. You then receive a written quote covering the proposed work and any parts that may be required. No repairs are started until you approve the quote.

Once approved, service time varies. Routine cleaning and lubrication of a standard mechanical movement typically takes five to ten business days. More involved work — such as sourcing specific parts or addressing damage to movement components — may take longer, and we'll keep you informed throughout.