Watch Servicing
In the world of watchmaking, a watch is not simply just a tool for telling time, but an intricate work of art which seamlessly blends craftsmanship and engineering. Watches, especially mechanical timepieces, consist of hundreds of tiny components that work in harmony to keep accurate time. Over time, these components are subject to wear and tear, even in the most well-made watches, and therefore regular servicing is essential to ensure the longevity, accuracy, value, and aesthetic appeal are preserved.
Why You Should Have Your Watch Serviced
Longevity: Like any finely tuned machine, your watch needs regular maintenance to ensure its parts are in good working order. Regular servicing helps to prevent minor issues from becoming major problems, which, in turn, extends the lifetime of your watch.
Accuracy: Without regular and good quality servicing, the oils and grease used to lubricate the working mechanisms of your watch will begin to run dry. Not only do the residues of these lubricants cause issues such as inaccurate timekeeping, but they can also cause excessive wear to the delicate components of your watch. Therefore, if you want your watch to keep time at its best, regular servicing is paramount.
Preservation of Value: For collectors and watch-enthusiasts alike, the condition of a watch significantly affects its value. A well-maintained watch retains its value more than one which has not been cared for, therefore regular and documented servicing can also enhance its resale value.
Aesthetic Appeal: Regular cleaning and servicing can keep your watch looking its best. Polishing the case, replacing scratched crystals, and cleaning the dial, can all refresh the watch’s appearance and add years to your watch’s lifespan.
The Servicing Procedure
The servicing of a watch is a comprehensive process the involves several key steps, designed to ensure that your timepiece continues to deliver its optimal performance and exceptional beauty.
On arrival at our workshop, your watch is carefully examined by one of our highly-trained and experienced watchmakers to identify any visible issues and to assess its overall condition.
Having had its bracelet, dial, and hands detached, the watch’s movement is then completely dismantled, and each component is examined to determine whether it still meets the original manufacturer's specifications. Any worn or damaged parts are systematically replaced.
At Brufords, we are an authorised service centre for many prestigious Swiss watch brands including Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines, and Tissot. This status grants us access to the comprehensive catalogue of genuine parts, materials, and specialised tooling that is required to properly maintain these timepieces. By adhering strictly to each brand’s individual guidelines, we ensure that your watch receives the same level of expertise as it would at the brand’s own service centre.
Following the replacement of any parts, each component is then meticulously cleaned using our state-of-the-art Elmasolvex VA cleaning machines, before being air dried.
The next part of the servicing process is movement reassembly and lubrication. Using specialising formulated oils and greases predesignated by the manufacturer’s technical specifications, the amount of lubrication required varies, and our watchmakers have undergone intensive training to apply exactly the right quantity - on the most delicate mechanisms, these quantities can be as small as a pinhead!
A vital part of the servicing process, the watch case also undergoes disassembly, and the gaskets, seals and other waterproofing elements are routinely replaced with parts delivered directly from their respective manufacturer.
The case and bracelet are also polished and refinished during servicing to restore their appearance, before being cleaned in our Elma ultrasonic tank, to remove any impurities left behind.
Following reassembly of the case, including any new acquired parts being fitted, such as seals, crowns or crystal, the case is pressure tested in water. At Brufords, we are equipped to deal with even the most water-resistant watches, our fathometer being able to simulate depths of up to 1,220m!
After carefully fitting the movement back into the case, our watchmakers measure the accuracy of timekeeping once again and makes any necessary adjustments for the watch to achieve optimum timekeeping.
With the waterproofness test passed, and the movement and bracelet refitted, the watch is ready for a final quality control. This test lasts a minimum of 4 days and aims to simulate the real world conditions the watch will be worn under, identifying any issues long before your watch returns to your wrist. We then ensure that the watch is fully waterproofing using our Witschi Proofmaster C, and finally, its aesthetic appearance undergoes one final check to ensure it is impeccable.
Following completion of the servicing process, the watch is returned to you in a protective pouch.
Servicing Frequency
The frequency of watch servicing depends on several factors, including the type of watch, how often it is worn, and the conditions it is exposed to. As a general guideline, mechanical watches should be serviced every 3 to 5 years (this includes both automatic and manual wind watches).
On the other hand, quartz watches should undergo at least a maintenance service every 5 years, with full services taking place at roughly 10 years intervals, this preserves, and ensure the efficacy of, the waterproofing elements.
However, these are just guidelines. If your watch exhibits any irregularities, such as losing or gaining time, moisture inside the case, or malfunctioning hands, it should be serviced immediately.
Watch Servicing at Brufords
Whether you own a luxury watch, or a cherished family heirloom, regular maintenance is an investment in the longevity and reliability of your timepiece, so too is who you trust to care for your treasured timepiece. When choosing a service provider, it is important to select a trusted, and accredited service centre. This ensures the parts, standards and tooling all meets the requirements set out by the manufacturer.
At Brufords, we are committed to offering you a first-class aftersales service. Opening in 2023, our in-house service centre, situated at our Cornfield Road, Eastbourne headquarters, is home to a host of accreditation statuses and our highly specialised and trained team.
We are confident that our team, in combination with cutting-edge technology and machinery, can offer you the very best in watch maintenance and servicing.
Situated in The Beacon, Eastbourne, you’ll also find our team of watch repair specialists, who are on-hand to answer any questions you may have in relation to the servicing of your timepiece and provide the best in aftersales care. Trusted in our community since 1886, we are extremely proud of our reputation when it comes to caring for your much-loved watches and look forward to assisting you.
For more information, visit us in-store, contact us by email to aftersales@brufords.com or by telephone on 01323 725452
