Watch Maintenance Guide: What's the right way to maintain a mechanical watch vs. a quartz watch?

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Whether you're wearing a million-dollar watch or a practical quartz watch.Watch MaintenanceThis is something that should not be overlooked.

Many people wear their watches for a while before realizing that the watch is inaccurate, has water in it, or has malfunctioning buttons, mostly due to a lack of maintenance concepts.

In fact, as long as you master the basic principles and carry out simple maintenance on the movement and case on a regular basis, you can not only prolong the life of the watch, but also maintain the stability of the mechanical operation.

Mechanical Watch Maintenance: Behind the scenes of continuous operation, care is also needed.

Mechanical watch movement schematic / Image from the Internet
Mechanical watch movement schematic / Image from the Internet

Mechanical watches do not have batteries and rely solely on the movement of the spring and gears, so they require more regular maintenance and inspection than quartz watches.

Recommendations for Daily Mechanical Watch Maintenance

The following are small details that you can pay attention to when wearing a mechanical watch on a regular basis:

  • Avoid violent collisions and magnetic field interference(cell phones, stereos, magnetic stoves)
  • Daily Uplink(watch) orcommonly worn(Auto Meter) Maintaining Movement Operation
  • Stay away from water and sweat residueThe leather straps in particular

Regular Mechanical Watch Maintenance Items and Intervals

Maintenance ProgramRecommended cycleDescription
Full-core oil cleaning and maintenanceEvery 3 to 5 yearsIncludes disassembly, cleaning, oiling, calibration accuracy
Waterproofing Inspectioneach yearThe waterproof rubber ring will deteriorate, it is recommended to test and replace it regularly.
Exterior CleanlinessOnce every 3-6 monthsWipes case and strap clean, maintains shine and wearer comfort
Regular Mechanical Watch Maintenance Items and Schedules

Quartz Watch Maintenance: Stable but Not Neglectful

Schematic diagram of quartz movement / Photo taken from the Internet
Schematic diagram of quartz movement / Photo taken from the Internet

Quartz watches have a simple and stable battery-driven structure, and although they do not require movement oil washing, there are some maintenance details that should be taken care of.

Quartz Watch Maintenance

  • Replace the battery as soon as possible when it is dying.To avoid liquid leakage and damage to the movement
  • Pull out the crown to turn off the circuit when not worn for a long time.
  • Avoid wearing in bathrooms or high temperature and humidity environments.
  • It is recommended to check the condition of the waterproof ring and case when replacing the battery.

Quartz Watch Repair and Maintenance FAQs

ProjectRecommended cyclePoints of Attention
Battery ReplacementEvery 2-3 yearsUse original or high quality batteries to avoid leakage.
Replacement of waterproof ringDepends on useSimultaneous checking of waterproof function during battery replacement
Exterior cleaning and oilingApproximately once a yearCase, bracelet and crown maintenance for improved feel and longevity
Quartz Watch Repair and Maintenance FAQs

Mechanical Watch Maintenance Costs and Quotes

Many people don't have any idea about the cost of mechanical watch maintenance. In fact, different brands and the complexity of the movement will affect the maintenance price.

Table of Maintenance Fees for Common Branded Mechanical Watches (Taiwan Market)

Brand TypeCommon Maintenance Cost RangeRemarks
Mid-range brands (e.g. Longines)NT$3,000 to 6,000Cleaning and oiling alone
High-end brands (e.g. Omega, IWC)NT$6,000 to 12,000Includes parts replacement and timing accuracy calibration.
Top brands (e.g. PP, AP)NT$15,000 Starting fromMost of them are factory repairs, which are costly and require an appointment.
Maintenance Fees for Common Branded Mechanical Watches

* It is recommended to choose a watch company or a reputable service center that is certified by the original manufacturer for a more secure warranty and materials.

How can I tell when it's time to have my watch serviced? Please take care of these conditions as soon as possible

You don't always have to wait until your maintenance cycle is up to take it in for repair, and some anomalies are obvious warning signs.

Common Watch Abnormalities

  1. Sudden slowing down or slowing down of walking.
  2. Irregular second hand (mechanical)
  3. Foggy water intake or water vapor in the mirror
  4. Unusual lagging or looseness of the rotating crown.
  5. No response when button is pressed (quartz chronograph model)

Whenever one of the above occurs, it means that there may be a problem with the movement and it should be inspected and maintained as soon as possible.

Maintenance myths cracked: maintenance is not sparing the number of times, but depends on the condition of the

Many people mistakenly think that the more frequent maintenance, the better, in fact, excessive dismantling may accelerate the wear and tear of parts.

Common Misconceptions

  • "If the watch is not broken, there is no need to maintain it": Wrong, dry oil in the movement will damage the parts.
  • "Buy a waterproof watch so you can wear it in the shower": Wrong, hot water and steam will destroy the rubber band.
  • "Cheaper maintenance: Wrong, non-original tools can easily damage the movement.

The right concept of maintenance should beRegular inspection according to frequency of use and condition, quality not quantity.The

Conclusion: A watch can last longer if you take care of it properly!

Whether it's a quartz or mechanical watch, as long as you master the basicWatch MaintenanceKnowledge, regular checkups, and proper use of your watch will keep it in the best condition and extend its life for many years.

If you have already observed an irregularity in the timekeeping or waterproof function, it is advisable to consult a professional watchmaker as soon as possible to avoid a small problem from becoming a major malfunction.

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