Whether you've just inherited a family heirloom timepiece or you've been collecting high-end watches for decades, it's important to learn that proper care and maintenance are the keys to enjoying these accessories for years to come. But any watch aficionados will tell you that experiencing a few problems is often inevitable. What do you do in these situations? Luckily, most issues can be handled by watch repair experts.
If you've splurged on a luxurious wristwatch, you'll want it to be working at peak performance. But, from dead batteries to stuck knobs and everything in between, there are many reasons why your designer piece has stopped. Follow along for an overview of the more common problems and discover exactly how a professional watchmaker may be about to fix your favorite watch.
Why Buy a Designer Watch?
Watches are valuable for more than their ability to keep track of time—they're one of the most traditional and timeless accessories around. Similar to purchasing diamond stud earrings to enhance your look, the addition of a single, shining designer watch can pull together any outfit, whether you're running errands around town or dressing up for a board meeting. High-end timepieces are a key component to creating your personal sense of style wherever you go.
While they're more expensive than a low-quality retail brand, a designer watch is worth the price point. Made with top-notch materials and intricate detailing, a luxury watch is designed to last you a lifetime. And, with proper care and watch repair, your pieces will only grow more valuable over time for passionate collectors.
Designer watches are also perfect for commemorating momentous occasions and achievements. Many people gift luxury watches to celebrate milestone birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and promotions. That way, every time you look down at your wrist, you're reminded of all your accomplishments.
Our Favorite Luxury Watch Brands
Learn About Watch Anatomy
Fully understanding each complex layer and mechanical piece inside your timepiece is preventative care for when something goes wrong. If you have a baseline understanding of the different parts of a watch, as well as their most common troubles, taking your piece in for a watch repair appointment is easy.
Before you panic at the sight of your stopped watch, learn a bit more about these nine crucial components to consider what may have gone wrong:
- Movement: the engine of the timepiece that powers all of the functions
- Dial: also known as the face of the watch, where all information is displayed
- Hands: the hands that keep track of time
- Crystal: the transparent glass or alternative material covering the watch face
- Case: the outer casing that protects the internal watch elements
- Bezel: the ornamental and functional ring around the dial that secures the crystal
- Lug: connects the watch strap to the case with a metal bar
- Crown: small button on the side of the case in charge of winding a movement and setting time and date
- Strap/bracelet: the band that attaches the watch to your wrist
3 Types of Watches
When taking your piece in for watch repair, it's important to understand the functions and features of a watch, like the mechanism. These three types of watches, while very different, can all be repaired by professionals:
- Automatic
- Quartz
- Manual winding
What is a Stopped Watch?
Stopped watch is a phrase commonly thrown about when professionals try to fix watches, but what does it mean? Essentially, it just refers to a timepiece that has paused its ticking or stopped all together, giving you the illusion that you're stuck in time. Some people think this is a sign of bad luck, so get the watch fixed as soon as possible if you're superstitious.
7 Common Watch Problems and Their Solutions
While designer watches are built to keep accurate time for years and years, each one is still delicate enough to experience a myriad of intricate watch repair issues. Professionals have a collection of small tools and expert knowledge on the inner workings of a timepiece, meaning they can fix watches when:
1. The Battery Stops Working
If the hands of your designer quartz watch have started to jump around without warning or it has completely died, you likely need a battery replacement. The battery is the most common watch repair issue—but it's also the easiest to fix. When you take your timepiece in for repair, this is often the first thing they check.
The battery on a quartz watch is easy to access with a pair of tweezers, making it a quick and affordable fix. Once you get a new battery in, your fixed watch should be back up and running.
How Long Do Watch Batteries Last?
In general, a watch battery should last at least a couple of years, so you should plan to have it checked and replaced often at watch repair appointments to avoid a stopped watch. The lifespan of the battery can be determined by a few things, such as the size and functions of your watch.
2. You Spot Potential Water Damage
Anyone who's collected high-end watches for years knows the golden rule: if it’s not made for water, avoid water at all costs. In some cases, a single drop of water reaching the inner workings of a watch can rust individual gears, destroy a battery, or even break the entire mechanism. In this case, the parts will often need full overhauls, not repairs.
The most common sign your watch has been affected by water damage is a foggy or moist crystal. If you leave this too long, the moisture can cause irreversible damage to the movement and make the fixing the watch even harder. When you take it in for a professional opinion, they will remove that crystal to reveal the face and fully dry the interior before resealing the crystal on.
Pro: to avoid water damage at home, it's important to have the equally high-end display and storage methods. Keeping a watch roll or watch box in the same area as your bangles and bracelets will keep your designer timepieces safe from sweat, showers, and hand-washings.
3. There is Physical or Impact Damage
If you're wearing your steel Cartier watch every day, it can be expected to experience some physical wear and tear. Most light taps, scrapes, and bumps will only cause surface-level damage, if anything, which won't affect the overall workings of your timepiece. But something like smacking your wrist hard or dropping it on hard tile when removing it before bed could cause severe damage.
If you notice any significant flaws to the outside of the case or suspect inner damage, our watch repair specialists can help. Our team of professionals understands that accidents happen—that’s why we offer complete watch overhauls on an array of top designer brands.
4. Too Much Static Electricity
If you do any research into the world of watch wearers or have experienced this odd phenomenon for yourself, you may have seen information about high electrical currents mysteriously making a watch stop. Whether these people give off higher levels than others or are just more prone to static electricity is unclear.
In most cases, these stops are random and will not permanently damage a watch. But, if the charge is strong enough, it could cause damage to the internal elements and require you to fix the watch. Prevent this by using an anti-static spray or wearing natural fiber clothing and take it in regularly for watch repair to make sure no damage accumulates long term.
5. The Buttons and Knobs are Stuck
Almost every watch has at least one or two buttons and knobs that help you manually set the time and date or control other special features, but what do you do when they get stuck? If your buttons won't turn or press, remain calm: it's likely due to stuck debris between the button and case.
If this is the case, take your timepiece in for a routine cleaning and watch repair. The expert will likely remove the knob and thoroughly clean the port where it attaches to remove any residue or dust. Once they screw it back on, it should work good as new.
6. It's Running Too Fast or Too Slow
Another common watch repair issue with designer brands, especially if they're a vintage collectible item, is that they stop keeping accurate time. If you notice that the timepiece is speeding up or lagging throughout the day, it's most likely a faulty oscillator. The oscillator, made up of a balance wheel and a hairspring, is in charge of regulating the seconds and minutes within a watch to create an accurate time. When this part becomes worn out or comes into contact with debris, it affects the timing.
The oscillator is a delicate piece of the puzzle that requires experience and specific tools to fix. When you take it in to get your Breitling Endurance Pro 38 Watch fixed, they will remove and examine the parts and replace components as needed. Soon, your timepiece will be trustworthily ticking away.
7. The Dates Are Not Changing
If you bought your high-end watch because of the bonus calendar features, it can feel frustrating when it gets stuck. Whether it be an old vintage wristwatch you're trying to bring into modern times or a new but faulty piece, the component you'll want to look at during your watch repair appointment is the day/date wheel. This calendar mechanism is most commonly a disk of printed numbers that rotates once a day to display the day on the watch face. If this has rusted or gotten caught, it can stop altogether.
Certain watch brands make this process easy by including a manual adjustment feature so that you can adjust the day/date wheel at home until it accurately affects the current date. But, if your timepiece does not have one, you should take it in for a thorough examination. It may need a full replacement or simple part-by-part watch fixing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Watch Repair
Where Can You Get a Watch Fixed?
Whether you’re looking for an annual polish to protect your timepiece’s luxurious look or need a brand-new battery, you should always take your watch to a professional that is experienced with the inner workings of designer and Swiss-made watches for watch repair. High-end watch repair experts have an extensive knowledge on the inner workings of watches and are ready to help in any way they can. Make an appointment and bring your collection on by.
Pro tip: when you visit a watchmaker, inquire about any timepiece trading programs, where you can bring in your unused watches for credit towards something unique and new.
How Much Does a Watch Repair Cost?
The watch repair bill will depend largely on the brand of watch and type of repair required. Some simple battery fixes could cost under $50 while other, more complicated issues could be a few hundred. For any specific amounts, inquire for an estimate ahead of your watch repair appointment either by phone or when you drop your timepiece off.
How Often Should You Service a Designer Watch?
In order to keep your timepiece running in top condition for years to come, preventative watch repair care is key. We recommend bringing your watch in for servicing every three to five years. If any issues arise in between those checkups, you'll have built up a reputable relationship with your local watch repair service that can help you in a pinch. With the proper at-home storage, annual polishings, and smart wear, you can enjoy your favorite watch on your wrist for a lifetime of style.
When you understand the causes of the most possible and fixable issues, you can care for your collection and take your passion for timepieces to the next level. Whether your heirloom Swiss watch stops ticking or you need a simple link adjustment for your modern limited edition TUDOR design, a professional watch repair service will get it running just right. Visit Fink’s Jewelers’ on-site watch repairs service at your closest store location and chat with our experts to learn more.
