MAINTENANCE
Timepieces consist of countless intricate mechanical complications which require regular maintenance to be kept in their top performance. Apart from providing customers with global warranty benefits, customers are always welcome to have their watches checked at our stores in Hong Kong and Macau where our timepiece experts are more than pleased to offer their assistance.
To learn more about watch maintenance, the following are some quick pointers:
Why is watch maintenance important?
Mechanical movements consist of a large number of intricate mechanics. Depending on the degree of complexity, this can range from as few as dozens to as many as hundreds of mechanical parts, each of which are intertwined to run in tandem endlessly. Naturally, this would lead to the wear and tear of mechanical parts, which is why regular maintenance and lubrication is necessary. Watch-wearing habits and environmental conditions are also among factors which may affect the life of a timepiece. When timepieces are worn regularly, the chances of wear and tear are higher. However, when timepieces are not worn regularly, the lubricant in the mechanical movement would gradually dry out over time and produce grime, which will affect the smooth movement of the timepiece. Generally, mechanical watches would require maintenance oiling once every three to five years.
How often do timepieces need to be checked?
Generally, mechanical watches would require maintenance oiling once every three to five years.
Are there any accurate signs which indicate the need for maintenance oiling?
The easiest method would be to place the timepiece on a watch tester to check whether the balance parameters are within reasonable and stable levels. If the amplitude (i.e. the swing range of a balance wheel) is too low, then lubricant should be applied; if there is a large amplitude (i.e. irregular swing range), or if there is an abnormal difference observed between days (standards may vary based on watch models), professional maintenance oiling and repair should be considered.
How should a magnetized timepiece be handled?
After a timepiece has been magnetized, magnetism would alter the swing frequency of the balance wheel, and the hairspring coils may stick or tangle, affecting their swing lengths and leading to inaccurate, halted, lost, or gained time. The deviation in timekeeping may vary from tens of seconds for mild cases, and up to minutes for more severe cases. Under such a condition, the timepiece will need to be demagnetized in order to be restored to normal. Such can be done by professional watch technicians with the use of specialized and reliable demagnetisers. It should be noted that the demagnetisers of some repair shops are unable to conduct thorough demagnetizations, thereby leading to potential mechanical failures if the timepiece continues to be worn.
How should condensation in timepieces be handled?
Water protection is extremely important when it comes to watch care. If timepieces appear to be fogging up with condensation, it is an indication that there is an issue with the waterproofing of the timepiece, a warning sign that should not be ignored. The cause of such may be due to the aging of the waterproof rubber ring which depletes the airtightness of a timepiece. Once moisture enters a timepiece, conditions such as rust and corrosion may cause great damage to the moving components, thereby leading to greatly reduced durability.
Why do quartz watch batteries need to be regularly replaced?
If the battery of the quartz watch is depleted and not replaced in time, this may lead to battery leakage which can damage the internal components of a timepiece. The maintenance cost will far exceed the cost of replacing the battery. To avoid unnecessary cost, regular replacement of batteries is advised. Generally, a quartz watch battery can be replaced once every three years to ensure that the battery is not completely depleted.