Regular servicing is essential for keeping your mechanical watch running smoothly and accurately. Here are some reasons why it is important to have your mechanical watch serviced regularly:
- Lubrication – The internal mechanisms of a mechanical watch require regular lubrication to keep them running smoothly. Without proper lubrication, the gears and wheels of the movement can become worn and damaged, leading to costly repairs.
- Inspection and maintenance – During a servicing, a qualified watchmaker will inspect all components of the watch, including the movement, case, and bracelet. Any worn or damaged parts will be replaced, ensuring that your watch is running at its best.
- Accuracy – Regular servicing can help maintain the accuracy of your mechanical watch. If the movement is not running smoothly, it can affect the timekeeping functions of the watch. By having it serviced regularly, you can ensure that your watch is keeping accurate time.
- Prolong the life of your watch – By maintaining your mechanical watch and having it serviced regularly, you can help prolong its life and ensure that it will continue to work accurately and efficiently for years to come
In summary, regular servicing is essential for keeping your mechanical watch in top condition. It is recommended to have your watch serviced every 3-5 years, depending on the brand and model. By doing so, you can ensure that your watch is running smoothly, accurately, and efficiently.
Oil does not last a decade in a pocket. It thickens, it migrates, and it carries dust onto pivots that were polished to a fraction of a hair. A watch that “still runs” with twenty-year-old oil is often running on wear. That is why the usual interval is about three to five years of actual use, shorter if the watch lives in dust or gets dropped, longer if it mostly sits and you only wind it now and then.
Service is also when hidden problems show up: a cracked jewel, a sprung hairspring, rust under a dial. Catching those early is cheaper than a full rebuild after a pivot has scored a hole. If the watch is a common 7-jewel in a worn gold-filled case, ask whether a full service is the right spend before anyone strips it. If it is a railroad grade you intend to carry, the service is part of owning it, not an optional polish.
Have a pocket watch that needs attention? The Good Old Times offers
free, no-fee service estimates (no charge if you decide not to proceed), local drop-off in
Mississauga by appointment, and Canada-wide service by mail — every repair backed by a
3-month warranty. Get a free estimate →
Also browse: fully serviced watches for sale ·
pocket watch guides (Collector’s Corner).