If you have a watch and it doesn’t tell the time anymore, the first thought you may have is that it needs a battery change. However, the reality is that watches can present a range of problems over time. Some problems can be extremely easy to fix and others much more complex. Let’s take a look at how to troubleshoot common wristwatch issues.
Automatic Watch Stops
One of the most common reasons why an automatic watch suddenly stops is that the movement is blocked by screws. There are many small components inside a watch, including numerous screws. Vibrations when wearing the watch can loosen these small screws and block the movement of internal workings inside the watch.
Above all, people who wear their watch during sporting activities such as golf, tennis, or mountain biking expose the automatic watch movement to high levels of stress from sudden vibrations. Fortunately, the damage can usually be repaired quickly and easily by a watchmaker. This usually involves removing the screws from the gears of the clockwork and tightening them again.
Movement Blocked By Dirt and Dust
If a wristwatch is used for a long time and is not properly maintained, contamination from dust and dirt can cause the watch’s internal workings to jam. If you regularly wear an automatic watch on your wrist, it is exposed to a wide variety of environmental factors every day. Above all, small dust and dirt particles that are in the air can get into the interior of the watch through even the smallest cracks and slits and are deposited there in the movement.
Over time, the foreign particles get in the way of the workings until it is blocked completely and the wristwatch stops. An extensive overhaul of the movement is then necessary to get the watch going again. In this relatively complex process, the entire watch has to be taken apart. Then, all components are thoroughly cleaned, oiled and then reassembled. Having your watch overhauled by a watchmaker can take a few days.
Water Inside
If you have water inside your watch, this can be caused by a damaged adjustment gasket, so it is important to always do a leak test and change the gaskets every two or three years. If you knew from the beginning that your watch is not waterproof, you will need to have it repaired.
Sundial Is Not Working
If your watch is equipped with a sundial and this stops working, it may be due to a low battery or poorly charged solar cell. Avoid wearing your watch under your sleeve and give it enough natural light to recharge its batteries efficiently. If the battery has been fully discharged, you will need to take it to an expert.
Part of the Dial Is Loose
After impacts, shocks or continuous vibrations, parts of the inner workings of the watch may come loose. This is not uncommon because the hands are mechanically clamped onto the wicks of the clockwork, and mechanical clamps are sensitive to vibrations and shocks. So, if a hand should come loose, don’t panic.
Immediately pull the crown (the time setting knob) of the watch into the setting position. This will prevent the clock from running and the hands from getting caught in the loose parts when turning. Otherwise, this could damage the mechanics of the movement, the hands, the indices or the dial. Most manufacturers include hands and dials in their 2-year guarantee.
This does not apply, however, to damage that can be traced back to improper handling. In practice, this means that the guarantee depends on the goodwill of the manufacturer, provided that the case shows clear spots or bumps, or if, for example, the glass is splintered.
Watch Maintenance Tips
Here are some handy tips to avoid watch issues in the first place:
- Automatic watches should always be handled carefully. This also includes cleaning the watch regularly and removing dust and dirt.
- When the watch is not being used, it should be stowed away on a watch winder. This way the mechanical movement will keep going continuously.
- The internal workings must not be exposed to strong vibrations. Therefore, the watch should not be worn during sporting activities such as golf, tennis, or mountain biking.
- In the case of high-quality luxury watches, it is advisable to buy it from recognized dealers such as Chronoexpert. Every watch listed on this site is handpicked, thoroughly checked and comes with an excellent warranty.
- If damage occurs, stop wearing the watch immediately. Take your watch to a professional watch maker or repairer so that there is no further damage.
Watches are fragile items that can be damaged if handled improperly or carelessly. A lot of mechanics and ornaments are assembled in a very small space and sometimes have to withstand the highest loads. Therefore, caution is always advisable, and if a minor mishap does occur, it is best to act quickly and consult an expert.
