Heart attack in the case: When does your luxury watch really need an overhaul?

A mechanical luxury watch is a fascinating feat of micromechanical engineering. Day after day, second after second, tiny gears, springs, and levers work at maximum capacity - mostly completely out of sight. Unlike a car, a Watch has no warning indicators when attention is needed. Many watch owners feel falsely reassured as long as the hands continue to move smoothly. This is a fatal mistake that can lead to costly material wear in the worst case.

The invisible “aches and pains” of a Watch

The most common argument against an overhaul is: “It still keeps time to the second.” However, mechanical precision is no proof of an immaculate interior. One key problem is the oil used in the Movement to minimize friction. Over the years, it can age, gum up, or evaporate. Once the oil has dried out, this can have serious consequences. Oil is generally estimated to last five to seven years.

One consequence of running dry is the formation of microscopic metal shavings, which act like sandpaper. The pivots wear down, and in the worst case, delicate shafts or teeth break under the strain.

Warning signs in a Watch: practical examples

It's the small details that keep a Watch running. Accordingly, subtle changes often indicate that a Watch needs an overhaul. Watch out for these warning signs:

• Diminishing Power Reserve & sudden stops: If your automatic watch stops overnight after a day on your wrist, even though it should be fully wound, this is often due to gummed-up mainspring barrels or excessive friction in the gear train. The energy transfer breaks down.
• Significant rate deviations: If the Watch suddenly gains or loses several minutes a day, or its timekeeping fluctuates drastically with temperature changes, this indicates problems with the balance spring coils due to gummed-up oil or shock damage to the balance wheel.
• Operating problems: If the crown suddenly becomes unusually difficult to turn when winding or setting the time, scrapes, or even “jumps,” the lubrication in the crown tube and winding mechanism has dried up, or moisture has entered and caused initial oxidation (rust) around the winding stem.
• Fogged watch crystal: If tiny water droplets or a fine mist suddenly appear on the inside of the crystal, it’s an emergency. Moisture inside the case destroys the Dial, causes the hands to oxidize, and eats away at the watch movement’s delicate steel parts in no time.

What can the ZEITAUKTION workshop do?

The Certified master workshop by ZEITAUKTION offers comprehensive services for high-quality luxury watches. These include precise overhauls, expert case and bracelet refinishing, authenticity checks, and professional water-resistance and accuracy tests. With its in-house service, ZEITAUKTION ensures that the Watches retain their value and function reliably for generations.

Book a service appointment

Good care protects your investment

A luxury watch is more than a timepiece. It is the result of pure passion, timeless elegance, and uncompromising precision. With the right care, your Watch also becomes a lasting symbol of dependability, accompanying you through an eventful life. 

Don’t think of workshop visits as a tedious chore, but as what they are: a wellness treatment that ensures your Watch keeps ticking just like the first day, even decades later.