It’s always disappointing when your favourite timepiece stops working. Not as disappointing as finding out it can’t be repaired at all though.
If your watch stops working, the best thing you can do is get it to a horologist as soon as possible. Wearing the watch once it stops working can cause further damage, so avoid doing this.
Whether or not it can actually be repaired still needs to be determined.
Watch Repairs – Beyond Repair or Not?
Who repairs your watch is the first factor that determines whether or not you can save your timepiece.
The good news is that even watches that date back to the 19th century are still working because they’re serviced on a regular basis. However, this entails taking the watch apart, cleaning and reassembling several hundred parts, which is why it requires the assistance of a professional.
There are a lot of online guides that explain how you can service your watch at home, but this is not recommended, particularly if your watches are investments. What’s more, watches need to be serviced and repaired in a clean environment to prevent dust from further damaging the parts.
Even though servicing a watch can keep it in good working order, some repairs are far more complex. And in some rare cases, watches can’t be repaired at all.
There are two instances when a watch could be beyond repair:
Water Damage – Once water enters a watch, it gradually rusts the parts that keep the timepiece working. In many instances, water can make a watch irreparable. Regularly servicing your watch ensures the seals keep water and dust out. Most seals tend to fail because of a lack of maintenance or due to at-home repairs.
Part Sourcing – When the internal mechanism or spring inside a watch is damaged, it needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, it’s much more difficult to source parts for older watches, which means there’s no other option than to replace the watch completely.
The Cost of Maintaining a Timepiece
Many people tend to put off repairs because of the perceived cost. However, what many don’t realise is that the cost of servicing a watch is often far less than having to send it in for repairs.
Naturally, certain watch brands and models are more costly to repair than others. However, there’s never a reason for a timepiece to get to the point where it can’t be repaired.
Regularly servicing a watch instead of waiting for it to stop working is still the most cost-effective solution available to you.