How often should you service your watch?

I’m of the school of it isn’t broke don’t fix it. As long as it’s running like day 1 I’d just enjoy it.

I use a timegrapher to keep track of how they're doing. When the amplitude starts to drop off then I think about it. Otherwise I don't see the need.

23 years old and still tiking at more or less 10 seconds a day, if it's not broken, don't fix it, when it moves forward or backward more than 30 seconds you take it for service

Check this out. From a watchmaker.

https://youtu.be/VNFOtAJNyJs?si=brZQUfSH7yant0En

Enjoy

I will go 10 years for my own piece of mind.

When it breaks or starts acting funny.

However, the seals keeping water out may need to be addressed according to manufacturer recommendations.

I'm no expert, just pick things up from watching too much YouTube.

It's about amplitude, not maintaining a constant +/- a few seconds. If the degrees of amplitude decrease, then there is more friction in the movement. I've watched so much of the Chronoglide channel with Kalle Slape to have taken this onboard.

If left too long when the amplitude has decreased, then the friction may damage the pivots. If any pivots are running without jewels in a bridge, then their holes may become slots.

These problems will depend on if the watch was oiled with modern synthetic oils, or in the case of older watches, still running on mineral oil.

As Cantaloupe wrote, it's down to using a timegrapher to check the amplitude.

If you own a luxury watch, a timegrapher is very cheap by comparison. Could save you the cost of getting a watch serviced prematurely, or save you money in repairs by getting it serviced in a timely manner. ( That pun made me smile. 🙄)

Is it keeping time correctly? Although more difficult to know on a co-axial movement what is the amplitude and how does it compare to when you purchased the watch? What kind of abuse is the watch taking? How does the winding feel as compared to when you first purchased the watch. These might be a few things I would consider.

What the user manual says. A mechanical watch has many parts that wear out over the years. It's not just about precision, but about wear and tear and being able to use it with the peace of mind that everything is perfect like the first day.

Every brand has a recommended range. I'd balance that with how it's functioning.

You will lose water integrity around the 5 year mark but it will work ok for many years as long as you keep it dry with the modern oils in it.

I wanna add to the question on the post: I don’t plan on servicing my watches soon as they keep perfect time.

However, as I got some Seiko on my collection; do you service a Seiko movement (7S26/4R36). Or is it more economical to just swap the movement altogether?

I can justify the price of servicing a speedy, but a Seiko5 is less so. Any advice?

Why do you think it will need service soon? Because the SA said so? Service when it needs it, i.e. accuracy is way off, power reserve decreasing.

Carrera Chrono 24 y/o serviced once, only because the chronograph hand didn’t reset to zero. Why? Cause I dropped it a zillion times.

Rolex GMT 20 y/o, serviced once at year 17 cause the power reserve was decreasing.

The cost of “maintenance” service vs what they needed to fix those problems, the same. Everyone moans about Rolex service cost. The TAG was more.

Having your watches serviced when it’s working fine is an absolute waste of money.

There should be a recommended service interval in your booklet. If you don't have a booklet there is plenty of information on the internet. If you wear you watch every day and it's worth servicing, probably every 5 years.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Basically, all my watches are mechanical. Some old quartz from the '80's & '90's.

Note: Two of those, a Tag and a Concord, other than batteries, are both still ticking away just dandy.

The mechanicals, I'm a 'wind 'em when I'm gonna use them' kinda guy. I looked at winders (bought one once), but why have something 'mechanical' working when it's not being used? Not to forget mentioning, the cost of the winders themselves. The winder was returned.

The only caveat to the ‘service when it’s not running right’ is to get water resistance checked every couple years on a diver or other watch that you intend to get wet. Seals can wear out even if the movement hasn’t.

From what I've seen from some videos, it depends heavily on use and build quality of the watch. Some argue every 10 years with average use where your automatics aren't constantly worn. Heavy use where they are worn frequently or everyday, then it's about 3-5 years. Mostly this is recommended to keep parts from wearing out and to replace springs and oil and gaskets. To me this makes sense and seems fairly reasonable.

Others have the philosophy of as long as it remains consistent in timekeeping and there are no major issues, then it's fine. Synthetic oils are much better these days, so drying out is less of a worry.

Personally, if it's an expensive watch, then I'd either ask the manufacturer (or watchmaker) or abide by the advice I heard at the start of the post. If it's something where I can afford to easily replace it, then I may err on the side of if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I'm sure there are others who are more familiar with manual watches and their upkeep, so I'd say their advice is more spot on.

When it's getting off spec's or max 10 years

If it's keeping good time my suggestion is don't worry about it.

I don’t actually know the answer to your question, I’ve heard 4 to 5 years but it also depends on how much you wear it.

Can you tell me about that strap? I’ve been looking for a padded sailcloth type strap for my Speedy.

Thanks.

5-8 years is a good interval.

Even if the watch keeps ticking after said period, it’s probably a good idea to have it serviced, if only to get the movement cleaned and lubricated.

Omega's servicing is fixed prices regardless of which parts need replacing (excluding external things like crystal, bezel, etc which are discretionary), so you might as well just wait until it stops or the timekeeping etc becomes unacceptable to you (or you want a polish etc) . (Usual caveat about seals etc, but you could get those checked and replaced separately for a smaller charge)

I think every 10 years is a reasonable amount of time for a basic watch that experiences normal wear. When it comes to a more complex movement, and maybe one that experiences use quite regularly such as an avid chronograph user, then those intervals maybe be a few years less.

Its not a car so i dont think you need service or inspection if its not broken

usually do regular maintenance once a year.

Case closed (no pun). There is no better answer than this one.

Thank you.

I picked up the strap from Amazon actually. Nothing special. I think it was $20. Just searched sailcloth watch straps and find what you like. It’s super comfy and stylish.

From my reading and hearing about the experiences of other aficionados I don't really expect to service any of my watches. No grails or anything over 900$.

If anyone wants my watches after I'm finished with them it'll be strictly "as is".😅

If a repair is required I won't be devastated if I can't afford to have it done.👍