A great watch can stay with you for decades. Some watches are worn every day, some mark an important birthday or anniversary, and others have been handed down through a family for generations.
Whatever the story behind your watch, there comes a point when it needs professional attention.
Perhaps it has started losing time. Maybe the automatic movement no longer holds its power reserve. The crown feels different, moisture has appeared beneath the crystal, or a watch that has been sitting in a drawer for years simply refuses to start.
This is where an experienced watch repairer becomes important.
A quality mechanical watch contains a collection of extremely small components working together with remarkable precision. Repairing one isn't simply a matter of opening the case and replacing whatever appears damaged. Proper watch repair requires training, patience, specialist equipment and, particularly with vintage and luxury watches, an understanding of how the movement was originally designed to operate.
What Does a Watch Repairer Do?
A professional watch repairer diagnoses, services and repairs watches to keep them operating correctly.
The work can range from relatively straightforward jobs to complete mechanical restoration.
Depending on the watch and the problem, this may include:
- Diagnosing faults and poor timekeeping
- Mechanical movement servicing
- Automatic watch servicing
- Battery replacement
- Crown and stem repairs
- Crystal replacement
- Gasket and seal replacement
- Water-resistance and pressure testing where appropriate
- Movement repairs
- Replacement of worn or damaged components
- Cleaning and lubrication
- Regulation and timing adjustments
- Vintage and antique watch restoration
The first job isn't necessarily to start replacing parts. It is to understand why the watch isn't performing as it should.
A watch that loses time, for example, can have several possible causes. The movement may require regulation, old lubricants may have deteriorated, components may be worn, or the watch may have suffered an impact.
Correct diagnosis is an important part of professional watch repair.
Watch Repair Is a Skilled Trade
Modern watches can make accurate timekeeping look effortless. Inside a mechanical watch, however, dozens or even hundreds of components may be interacting every day.
Some of those parts are extremely small.
During a comprehensive mechanical service, a watchmaker may need to dismantle the movement, inspect its individual components, clean them, identify wear or damage, lubricate appropriate points, reassemble the movement and regulate the watch.
It is painstaking work.
That is why choosing a watch repairer should involve more than finding someone who can simply open the case.
Experience becomes particularly important with luxury, complicated, vintage and antique watches. Older movements can present problems that aren't commonly encountered in modern watches, and replacement components may no longer be readily available.
A skilled watchmaker needs to understand both the watch in front of them and the principles behind its construction.
When Should You Take Your Watch to a Repairer?
Some watch problems are obvious. If the watch stops completely, you know something needs attention.
Other warning signs are easier to overlook.
One of the most common is a noticeable change in accuracy. Mechanical watches aren't expected to behave exactly like electronic clocks, but if a watch suddenly begins gaining or losing substantially more time than usual, it is worth having it assessed.
You should also consider professional attention if you notice:
The watch keeps stopping
A mechanical or automatic watch that repeatedly stops despite being wound or worn may have an issue with its movement or power reserve.
The crown is difficult to operate
If winding or setting the watch suddenly feels unusually stiff, loose or rough, don't force it. Continuing to operate a damaged winding mechanism can potentially make the problem worse.
There is moisture inside the watch
Condensation underneath the crystal deserves prompt attention. Moisture can affect the dial, hands and movement and may lead to corrosion.
The watch has suffered a significant impact
A watch can look perfectly normal after being dropped while internal components have been affected.
It hasn't been serviced for a long time
Lubricants inside a mechanical movement don't last forever. As they deteriorate, friction between moving components can increase.
An older watch hasn't run for years
An inherited or rediscovered vintage watch should ideally be inspected before being repeatedly wound and worn. Old lubricant, corrosion or deteriorated components may need attention first.
What Happens During a Professional Watch Service?
The exact process depends on the watch, its movement and its condition.
Generally, the process begins with an assessment.
The watchmaker examines the watch and its operation to identify potential problems. If a complete mechanical service is required, the movement can then be removed and carefully dismantled.
Individual components are inspected for wear or damage and professionally cleaned.
After cleaning, the movement is reassembled and suitable lubricants are applied at specific points. Worn components may need repair or replacement.
The movement can then be adjusted and tested.
The case, crown, seals and other external components may also need attention depending on the service being performed.
For water-resistant watches, appropriate testing is particularly important after the case has been opened.
A thorough service therefore isn't simply about getting a stopped watch ticking again. The aim is to restore reliable operation and address problems that could contribute to further wear.
Why Vintage Watch Repair Requires Particular Care
Vintage watches are different.
A watch that is 40, 60 or 100 years old has already lived a long life. Components may have been repaired or replaced in the past, parts can be difficult to obtain, and previous servicing may not always have been carried out correctly.
There is another consideration too: originality.
Collectors often value the character that a vintage watch has developed over time. An aged dial, original hands or signs of normal wear may form part of the watch's history.
That means restoration isn't necessarily about making an old watch look brand new.
Sometimes restraint is the better approach.
An experienced vintage watch repairer should be able to consider mechanical reliability while respecting the originality and character of the timepiece.
At Master Watchmaking, antique and vintage watch restoration has been an important part of the business since it was established in Sydney in 1983.
Choosing a Watch Repairer in Sydney
Handing over a valuable or sentimental watch requires trust.
Before choosing a repairer, it is worth asking a few straightforward questions.
What experience do they have?
Look for genuine watchmaking experience rather than repair services offered as a small sideline.
Do they work on your type of watch?
A quartz fashion watch, modern mechanical chronograph and century-old pocket watch can require very different knowledge.
Do they explain what the watch needs?
A professional watch repairer should be able to explain the recommended work in language you can understand.
Will you receive an estimate?
For substantial servicing or restoration work, understanding the proposed work and likely cost before proceeding is important.
What happens if additional problems are discovered?
Some faults only become apparent after a movement has been dismantled. Ask how additional repairs will be communicated and authorised.
Is appropriate testing carried out?
Depending on the watch and service, this might include accuracy, function and water-resistance testing.
Why Experience Matters With Luxury Watches
Luxury watches aren't simply expensive accessories. Their movements can be sophisticated mechanical systems requiring brand-specific knowledge and appropriate tools.
Master Watchmaking is an authorised service centre for a number of recognised watch manufacturers, including Audemars Piguet, Girard-Perregaux, Ulysse Nardin, Chopard, Omega, Frank Muller, Maurice Lacroix and NOMOS.
That level of specialist experience becomes particularly relevant when you're deciding who should work on a valuable mechanical watch.
Even seemingly simple repairs need to be approached carefully. Opening a case incorrectly, damaging a dial or hand, using an unsuitable component or improperly handling a movement can turn a minor problem into a much larger one.
Repair or Restore?
These words are sometimes used interchangeably, but they don't always mean the same thing.
A watch repair usually addresses a particular fault or restores the watch to proper operation.
A watch service generally involves preventative maintenance and more comprehensive attention to the movement.
A watch restoration can go considerably further, particularly with antique or vintage pieces. It may involve extensive movement work and attention to other components while balancing reliability with preservation.
The right approach depends on the watch.
A relatively modern everyday watch might simply need servicing. A family pocket watch that hasn't run for 30 years may require a much more detailed assessment.
There is no sensible one-size-fits-all answer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Watch Repairers
How do I know if my watch needs repair?
Common warning signs include suddenly gaining or losing significant time, repeatedly stopping, difficulty winding or setting the watch, unusual noises, visible condensation or failure to maintain its normal power reserve. If its behaviour has noticeably changed, having it inspected is sensible.
How often should a mechanical watch be serviced?
There isn't one servicing interval that applies to every watch. Recommendations can vary according to the manufacturer, movement, age, condition and how the watch is used. Follow the manufacturer's guidance where available and seek professional advice if performance changes.
Can an old watch that hasn't worked for years be repaired?
In many cases, yes, although it depends on the condition of the movement and availability of components. Antique and vintage watches should be assessed individually before the extent of restoration work can be determined.
Should I keep winding a watch that won't start?
If an older or mechanical watch refuses to operate normally, repeatedly forcing the crown is not advisable. There may be a mechanical issue requiring inspection.
Can water damage to a watch be repaired?
Sometimes, but quick action matters. Moisture can cause corrosion and damage the movement, dial and hands. If water or condensation appears inside a watch, arrange professional assessment promptly.
How long does watch repair take?
It depends on the watch and the work required. A straightforward repair may be relatively quick, while a complete mechanical overhaul or vintage restoration can take considerably longer. Parts availability can also affect the timeframe.
Is a watch worth repairing?
That depends on more than resale value. A watch may have considerable sentimental or historical importance even if its market value is modest. A professional assessment can help you understand the condition, required work and likely cost before deciding.
What should I ask a watch repairer before leaving my watch?
Ask about their experience with your type or brand of watch, the proposed repair process, estimated cost, expected timeframe, parts requirements, testing procedures and whether they will contact you before carrying out additional work.
Can vintage watches be restored without losing their character?
Often, yes. Good restoration doesn't automatically mean replacing every aged component or polishing away decades of history. The appropriate approach depends on the watch, its condition and what the owner wants to preserve.
Where can I find an experienced watch repairer in Sydney?
Master Watchmaking provides professional watch repair, servicing and antique watch restoration from its Sydney workshop. Established in 1983 by Austrian-trained Master Watchmaker Karl Braunsteiner, the business works with modern, luxury, vintage and antique timepieces.
Give Your Watch the Care It Deserves
A well-made watch is designed to be maintained.
Whether you wear yours every morning or only take it out for special occasions, professional servicing can help preserve the mechanical craftsmanship inside it.
More importantly, don't ignore changes in the way your watch behaves. A problem that initially appears minor can be an indication that something inside the movement needs attention.
If you're looking for an experienced watch repairer in Sydney, Master Watchmaking provides professional watch repairs, servicing and antique watch restoration backed by decades of specialist watchmaking experience.
Contact the Master Watchmaking team to discuss your watch and arrange an assessment.
