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Frequently Asked Questions 


Watch and Clock Repairs

 Do you fix Watches?

My watch isn't running. Did I over-wind it?

Why does it cost so much to clean a watch? Don't you just blow out the dust?

Do analog quartz watches (the kind with hands) ever need more than a battery change to keep them going?

I have a Timex watch. It cost me $29.95. It tells time as good as my friend's Seiko that cost him $350.00. What's the difference between them?

How often should I wind my watch?

It seems like my watch gains time, especially towards the end of the day.

The alarm doesn’t ring anymore.

Condensation accumulates inside the crystal.

The crown pulled right out of the watch.

The crown looks crooked.

I have only had the watch for six months and it has stopped working.

Why did the battery last longer when the watch was new.

There appears to be dust / corrosion on the dial of my watch.

My watch was just serviced and it is not working.




Do you fix watches?

This is, unquestionably, our most frequently asked question. A close second is: "Do you fix clocks?" The answer to both is an emphatic YES! We repair clocks dating from the 1600's to today; and watches from antique pockets to contemporary quartz. Even Accutrons! Unfortunately though, we don't repair Timex or "disposable" type watches. Normally we do not repair alarm clocks, simply for economic reasons (it's generally cheaper to buy a new one).


My watch isn't running. Did I over-wind it?

The answer to this question applies to both watches and clocks. There is simply NO SUCH THING as over-winding a watch. Mainsprings are designed to be wound up fully inside their barrels; actually, a watch or clock should run at peak efficiency when completely wound. If you find that you cannot wind a watch any further and it does not run, something is wrong mechanically; nine times out of ten it needs a complete overhaul. Conversely, if the mainspring is broken, it will keep winding and winding, never coming to the end.

We believe that the term "over-wound" was coined by some self made "watchmaker" who could not properly diagnose the problem with a repeat repair. By determining that the watch was "over-wound" he put the blame squarely on his customer, and not on his lack of expertise. The term quickly became an icon of the watch repair industry, and even since the advent of quartz watches, it's still one of the most common questions we hear.

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Why does it cost so much to clean a watch? Don't you just blow out the dust?

When a watch is properly overhauled or cleaned, it is completely disassembled down to the last wheel and spring. Next, each part is cleaned in various solutions and rinses, areas of wear repaired, lubricated, reassembled, timekeeping regulated, thoroughly quality checked, and monitored for several days. If there is a plastic crystal, it gets buffed to remove small scratches. Metal bracelets are immersed in an ultrasonic tank, and then scrubbed clean. This process can take between 3 and 4 hours, depending on the watch. The workmanship is guaranteed for a year.


Do analog quartz watches (the kind with hands) ever need more than a battery change to keep them going?

A: Yes! Quartz watches, like their mechanical counterparts, require an overhaul every four to five years. Once the oil dries out in a quartz watch, it should be cleaned out and re-oiled. Since the power supply is so light in a quartz watch, most exhibit problems as soon as the oil dries out. A mechanical watch will quite often run with no oil, until its parts are worn out, and then it will require more than an overhaul. (Like a car, if you run it without oil, you will have to get the motor rebuilt or replaced.) Every overhaul on a quartz watch includes complete disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning, oiling & lubricating, reassembly, resetting the circuitry and supplying a new power cell. The public is always welcome at our repair shop where they can see firsthand the intricacies of watch making.

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I have a Timex watch. It cost me $29.95. It tells time as good as my friend's Seiko that cost him $350.00. What's the difference between them?

A: The same difference as a Hyundai and a Mercedes. Timex, Ingraham, TellTime, and similar fashion watches are designed to be disposable (except they aren't bio-degradable.) There is no way to disassemble these watches. Since these companies do not manufacture replacement parts, the only way to do "repairs" is to completely replace the insides. The cost of replacing the movement is as much as replacing the entire watch. Life expectancy: 3-4 years. Your friend's Seiko however, is designed to be taken apart and serviced. The new appearance of the watch will last because it is made of higher quality material, heavier gold plating, etc. Each overhaul renews it inwardly. Properly maintained, it can be handed down for generations. Throwaway watches have their place, as do high quality watches. Would you drive your Mercedes through the bush to go moose hunting?


How often should I wind my watch?

You should wind your watch fully every 24 hours to ensure good timekeeping. It's best to establish a routine, like first thing in the morning. The best winding technique is not with straightforward turns, rather back and forth. This keeps the grease moving evenly in the winding mechanism. Your watch will run trouble-free longer.


It seems like my watch gains time, especially towards the end of the day.

The most common reason for this problem is a lack of winding. As your watch runs down, it will gain time. As less power is supplied to the train of wheels, the amplitude of the balance wheel drops. The lower amplitude results in more frequent releasing of the escape wheel; thus the watch exhibits a gaining rate. The technical term for this problem is "isochronal error". Most better quality watches are adjusted to compensate for this problem. Unfortunately, nothing can compensate for a lack of winding.

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The alarm doesn’t ring anymore.

If all of the other functions of the watch are running to specifications and a battery was just replaced, the alarm problem may be caused by the loss of the alarm spring during the battery replacement. This is a small but very important piece of the movement and without it, the alarm will not sound.


Condensation accumulates inside the crystal.

If the watch is classified as “water resistant” and has been immersed in water, this will be the cause. Water resistant watches are made to withstand light splashes only and not intended to be subjected to immersion in water. If the watch is classified as “water resistant” to a specific depth and has not been subjected to anything over this and condensation is still apparent, gasket replacements a water test may be required. Over time, the rubber gaskets dry out allowing moisture to get into the case. A verification of all gaskets and water resistance test should be done by a qualified watchmaker at every battery replacement or every two years, whichever come first. Another possible cause for moisture inside the watch is the “push buttons” having been depressed while the watch was submerged in water. Doing this allows water to seep into the case, causing moisture to form inside. As soon as moisture appears in the watch, it should be taken to a watchmaker, without delay, to be dried out. If this is not done immediately, rust will begin to form, causing extensive damage to the movement. Divers watches should be tested every two years, regardless if battery requires replacing.


The crown pulled right out of the watch.

As the crown is fixed directly into the movement, it must not be pulled too hard. Once it has become dislodged, it must be replaced by a qualified watchmaker. If it is “pushed back” into place, it may cause more damage resulting in extensive repairs to the movement.

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The crown looks crooked.

If the watch received a blow on the crown or it has been caught and pulled, the stem can bend. The thin metal stem holds the crown and is fixed directly into the movement. If the stem has been bent, you will no longer be able to set the watch and may also experience moisture problems.


I have only had the watch for six months and it has stopped working.

The watch may have been in the display case of the store where you purchased it for some time. As the life expectancy of a battery is approximately two to three years, the watch may only require a new battery.


Why did the battery last longer when the watch was new.

When watches are new, the oil is clean and the movement parts are all new. Over time, with normal wear, the oil dries out and dirt will accumulate. This causes the small intricate movement parts to stick slightly thus requiring more energy to be used from the battery causing the battery life to be reduced.


There appears to be dust / corrosion on the dial of my watch.

If there is a crack in the crystal or a chip out of it, dust and moisture will get into the case. The crystal should be replaced as soon as signs of damage appear. If the crystal appears fine, the gaskets should be verified and replaced is necessary.

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My watch was just serviced and it is not working.

To try to determine the root of the problem, ask the customer:

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