Luxury Service

1. COMPLETE MOVEMENT SERVICE AND REFINISHING

Your watch is more than just a beautiful timepiece, it’s a working machine that needs servicing to maintain its appearance, functionality and value. Should your watch need service, our experienced technicians will do everything we can to help you bring it to manufacturer’s specifications.

Servicing a Mechanical Timepiece:

Mechanical watches are made up of hundreds of tiny parts, many of which are in constant motion. Because of this, they're subject to wear and tear. But with regular care, your luxury Swiss timepiece will keep ticking for years.

We recommend servicing a new watch every three to five years, even if it still seems to be in perfect working order. This is because lubricants that prevent friction and possible damage to fragile inner components break down over time and need replacing. On a less happy note, we all know that no matter how careful you are with your watch, accidents happen. Fortunately, there are very few repairs our specialist watchmakers cannot undertake.

Some repairs are time-consuming, so we will always prepare a full estimate for you before going ahead.

When servicing a mechanical watch, our watchmakers perform an exhaustive series of checks to make sure your watch returns to you in peak condition.

1. a. Check the case and the bracelet or strap.
2. b. Detach the bracelet, open the case and remove the stem, crown, seals and movement.
3. c. Reset the stem and crown, and check the winding mechanism.
4. d. Examine the working of the hands, calendar functions and rotor (if fitted).
5. e. Inspect and adjust the escapement.
6. f. Fully disassemble the watch case and inspect the movement and component parts.
7. g. Replace any worn or damaged parts.
8. h. Clean all parts in specialist chemical baths using automated cleaning machines.
9. i. Reassemble the movement, checking and making fine adjustments in line with brand specifications.
10. j. Lubricate the movement if using 4/5 fine oils and greases, and double check the escapement.
11. k. De-magnetize, regulate and check the timing of the movement to brand standards using specialist Swiss timing equipment.
12. l. Refit the dial and hands, and clean the case and bracelet using ultrasound technology.
13. m. Replace case seals where necessary, and restore the movement to the case.
14. n. Check timekeeping, and adjust where required using timing equipment.

Once we've completed these steps, we test the watch on a wrist simulator for between three and four-and-a-half hours to make sure the automatic winding system is running smoothly. The watch's power reserve is then tested statically for 24 hours, dial down, and the rate checked, until the power has run down in the dial up position.

This final inspection before we return your watch is critical - it's then guaranteed for 12 or 24 months, depending on the brand.

Servicing Quartz Timepieces

Quartz watches don't have as many moving parts as mechanicals, but they still require routine maintenance. Our expert watchmakers perform the following checks:

1. a. Check the case and bracelet or strap.
2. b. Open the case, remove the stem and crown, and check the setting mechanism.
3. c. Inspect the working of the hands and calendar functions as appropriate.
4. d. Disassemble the movement, and check the mechanical components and electronic module.
5. e. Replace any worn or malfunctioning mechanical or electronic parts.
6. f. Carefully clean all the mechanical parts in special chemical baths, using automated cleaning machines.
7. g. Reassemble the movement, checking it and making fine adjustments in line with brand specifications.
8. h. Lubricate the setting and calendar mechanisms, using fine oils and greases.
9. i. Make sure the timing of the movement is in working order, using specialist Swiss electronic testing equipment.
10. j. Refit the dial and hands, and clean the case and bracelet using ultrasound technology.
11. k. Renew the case seals where necessary, and restore the movement to the case.
12. l. Check the watch's water-resistance according to brand specification.
13. m. And finally, check the correct functioning of the hands and calendar mechanism if fitted. To ensure the watch is functioning accurately, we then test it statically for two days. This final inspection before we return your watch is critical - it's then guaranteed for 12 or 24 months, depending on the brand.

2. BATTERY REPLACEMENT AND MAINTENANCE SERVICE

We recommend that you have the battery changed when your quartz watch stops. If your watch is equipped with an end of battery life indication \(EOL\) system and you notice that the seconds hand jumps once every four or five seconds, this means that the battery is running out of energy. Please note we encourage to change the battery as soon as the watch stops, leaving a dead battery may lead to leaking and causing further damage to the movement. We advise you to entrust your timepiece to an authorized service center so that they can proceed to replace the battery.

3. STRAP REPLACEMENT

Give your timepiece a facelift by updating the strap, whether as a replacement for an old model, or as an alternative to match an outfit or occasion. At Watches of Switzerland, we stock a wide range of styles and colors.

4. ENGRAVING

There are a number of ways to personalize your watch, but none are as timeless as engraving. Whether it's to mark a significant anniversary, birthday or occasion - for yourself or a loved one - we can engrave the case or case back of your chosen timepiece. Our expert engravers can tackle all manner of briefs, from initials to family crests. Ask us what's possible - you might be surprised.

5. SERVICING YOUR ROLEX

Watches of Switzerland is proud to be part of the worldwide network of Rolex-trained watchmakers, carefully selected for their uncompromising professionalism and expertize. We follow the Rolex Service Procedure, designed to ensure that every timepiece leaving a Rolex workshop complies with its original functional and esthetic specifications. Contact [email protected] to find out more.