What can I do before I bring the watch to the repair shop?
We love DIY projects just like you! A watch does seem like a natural leaping point for all things mechanical because of the small shell. Inside, however, big things are happening where each of those hundreds of parts plays a critical role in enabling your timepiece to reach its fullest potential.
Prying open the back can cause irreparable damage to some of the gaskets before you ever get to the original reason you wanted to open the back. The only time you should do something at home before bringing it to the watch repair shop is if you dropped your watch in water and you fear the water is seeping into the watch. If your watch encounters water and you see the crystal has become foggy even briefly, then you should dry it off at home first with a hairdryer on low heat so as not to overheat the watch components before immediately bringing it to a repair shop. Rust can set in quickly, especially with saltwater. Therefore, be sure to have a professional dry and clean each part individually. While there, ask about testing it for water-resistance.
What will the watch repair shop do?
Before we delve into water-resistance tests, we should first discuss what goes into keeping your clock ticking so-to-speak. When you need a part replaced, the hundreds of parts dried properly, or those many parts cleaned as dust and moisture can affect your watch over time as sealants break down, the professionals at watch repair shops are your experts. They are trained on all repair jobs for both mechanical and quartz watches. Just as importantly, they are the experts that prevent your watch from incurring so much damage over the years that the cost to replace the damage becomes to great. Whether you need a repair or you are looking to prevent costly issues in the future, it is a good idea to learn the local watch repair shops in your area.
Once in the service shop, your repair professional in most cases will carefully open your timepiece and search for any damage affecting it. This is a time-consuming process with a large volume of components, and each one must be inspected, replaced when needed with genuine parts as well as properly cleaned and lubricated. To make sure your watch and money are in good hands, look for a shop where the tools, parts, and machinery are imported from Switzerland, a year’s guarantee is offered on all services, and the professionals are regularly trained on all of the top watch brands.
Is there a test to see if my watch is water-resistant?
Back to the question of water damage, you may be wondering how you would know if your family heirloom is still water-resistant. Keep in mind no watch is completely water-proof. There are some watches that are made for divers and people who spend a great deal of time in the water. However, a close watch on depths should be kept using such watches. Make sure to read the information about the watch when it is being purchased to avoid using it in depths beyond its intended use.
Regardless of the original design of your watch, it is a good idea to have a professional perform water-resistance tests on it with special machines. That way, seals can be replaced when necessary to avoid real damage when in contact with water of any kind, even rain. If you have a vintage watch, professionals recommend doing this along with a cleaning of all the working parts every couple of years. For newer watches, professionals recommend this type of service every five years. Whether you have your grandfather’s favorite tried-and-true timepiece or you recently invested in a shiny new trendy piece, it is always good to know your local watch repairman and find out how much frustration and time their shop can save you.
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