A mechanical watch is a fine example of engineering. There are dozens, sometimes hundreds, of individual parts inside an ordinary timepiece that constantly interact to ensure the accuracy of the passage of time. These intricate pieces, which are often capable of lasting decades, if not generations, need to be regularly serviced to reach and stay at their optimum performance.
The problem is that over time parts become worn out and oil will dry out. Unlike electronic devices that may simply stop working when a battery fails, mechanical watches experience gradual wear over time. If a part wears out on a mechanical watch, it can lead to a whole host of issues. Oil degrades over time, which increases friction. This friction places a greater load on components and can also lead to further wear on the part that wears out or breaks.
One key role of servicing is preventing wear. Parts can be replaced in a service, or parts can even be cleaned and oiled before it gets to the point of the part being broken or worn out. It is also important to check that parts are not broken or worn out. This involves a service where a watchmaker takes apart the movement, cleans the old oil and dust out of it and puts fresh oil on the parts that need oil. If a part needs a replacement or repair, the watchmaker is also able to see when parts have started to show signs of wear and replace them early to prevent further damage.
Regular servicing is also important for accuracy. As oil and parts wear out, the accuracy of your watch starts to deteriorate, and a watch that was very accurate might start to gain or lose minutes. There are many reasons that could cause inaccuracy. A watch will have lost or gained some precision in the movement due to friction from worn out parts. Also, there are other factors that cause loss of precision, such as changes in temperature, magnetism, or shocks. However, a watch can lose its initial accuracy as it ages, but it is possible to adjust or regulate it to ensure you have a high level of precision over a long period of time.
Another reason for servicing your watch is its water resistance. Some watches are not designed to be water-resistant, but some are. It is not unusual for a watch to have its own rubber gaskets designed to be able to withstand high pressures of water or dust, and over time this rubber gasket can wear out and you can get moisture in your watch. A watch service would replace old rubber gaskets and seals to maintain water resistance.
Regular servicing may also help you maintain value over time, for instance if you are a collector. There are many who consider a watch to have lost some value over time due to its age or due to being poorly looked after. Some collectors would be put off buying a watch that had not been serviced by a watchmaker in many years, even if the watch is in perfect condition. A well maintained watch is something that shows you are serious about your collection. It also shows that you were willing to take care of your watch by having it regularly serviced over its lifetime.
There are also people who will often be surprised that a watch will function over generations if it is looked after by an owner. I have heard of watches that were more than 100 years old and were fully functional because the owner had a good relationship with the watch and maintained it well. This longevity of watches is one of the things that makes mechanical watches unique from many other possessions we may have nowadays.
Another factor which makes watch servicing so important is that learning about maintenance gives aspiring watchmakers valuable insight into how movements function under real conditions. By understanding the effects of friction, wear, and environmental exposure, students develop a deeper appreciation for both the engineering and craftsmanship involved in horology.
Servicing is not just for when your watch has broken down, it is a necessary step to preserve the integrity of time and the movements that allow watches to keep time.