How Often Should You Service a Luxury Watch?

The complex design of most luxury watches makes routine servicing crucial. Prioritizing comprehensive service from a trusted provider can prevent internal lubricants from drying out, thereby reducing friction and metal wear.

The general consensus is that you should service a luxury mechanical watch every five to 10 years. However, the exact timing depends on a range of factors, including your wear preferences and the brand. 

In this guide, you’ll learn what most luxury watch brands recommend, the factors that contribute to more frequent servicing, and the signs to look for to know that your luxury watch requires immediate service. 

What Do Brands Recommend?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to luxury watch servicing. As watch technologies vary from brand to brand, some may require more or less frequent care. 

Rolex

Rolex provides helpful maintenance tips to help watch owners keep their watches in excellent condition: 

• Clean it occasionally with a microfiber cloth.
• Wash the case and bracelet (excluding leather straps) occasionally with soapy water and a soft brush.
• Rinse your wash with fresh water to remove sand deposits and salt after wearing it in the sea. 
• Ensure the winding crown is screwed down against the case for waterproofness during cleaning.

Alongside regular maintenance, Rolex recommends servicing every 10 years to maintain accuracy and waterproofing. For servicing, return your watch to an official Rolex retailer or service center. The network of official Rolex retailers and service centers covers 100+ countries. 

The steps involved in servicing a Rolex are as follows: 

1. The watch is dismantled.
2. The components are ultrasonically cleaned.
3. Each individual part is examined, and any components that don’t meet aesthetic and functional specifications are replaced with genuine Rolex parts. 
4. The movement is carefully lubricated and electronically tested.
5. The case and metal bracelet are refinished to restore their luster. 
6. The watch undergoes technical tests and checks to ensure waterproofness, power reserve, and precision. 

Richard Mille

Richard Mille describes their watches as ‘finely tuned machines.’ As a result, servicing is recommended every three years. The manufacturer also recommends annual checks to ensure water resistance. 

Specific maintenance tasks for Richard Mille watches depend on the model and the conditions in which the watches have been worn and used. On the Richard Mille website, you can select your model from the drop-down menu to learn more about the maintenance required and how to schedule your next service. 

Patek Philippe

To preserve your Patek Philippe timepiece for generations, follow the recommended maintenance instructions and service guidelines.  

Patek Philippe recommends servicing every eight to 10 years for Quartz and mechanical watches with manually wound or self-winding movements. The battery life of a quartz movement lasts two or three years, and the manufacturer recommends replacing the battery through an official service center. 

Patek Philippe also provides general care instructions to keep your luxury watch in excellent working condition:

• Avoid subjecting it to shocks, prolonged vibrations, magnetic fields, or extreme temperature changes. 
• Visit an authorized service center if your watch is exposed to magnetic fields. 
• Don’t use the function controls underwater or when the watch is wet, including the pushers, correctors, and time setting crown. 
• Don’t expose the leather straps to water or excessive sunlight. Remove them at night to let the leather breathe. 
• Avoid premature wear by ensuring the metal strap of your Patek Philippe watch is adjusted to the correct size. 
• Preserve the bracelet and case by not wearing jewelry on the same wrist as the watch. 
• Rinse the watch with clean water after contact with salt water or chlorinated pool water. 

Audemars Piguet

Take care of your Audemars Piguet luxury watch by scheduling a full service every three to five years. During a complete maintenance service, the following tasks are undertaken:

1. Open the watch.
2. Prewash the movement.
3. Dismantle all components of the movement.
4. Replace parts showing wear or damage.
5. Wash all components.
6. Assemble the movement and fully lubricate it.
7. Test the timing.
8. Put the watch back together. 
9. Perform final tests. 

Alongside this comprehensive service, there are other actions you can take to keep your Audemars Piguet timepiece in excellent condition: 

• Perform yearly inspections to check your watch’s chronometric performance, functions, water resistance, and magnetization. 
• Ensure that your watch is properly fitted to your wrist to improve the winding system’s efficiency and prevent premature link wear. 
• Avoid wearing jewelry on the same wrist to prevent scratches and wear. 
• Wind your mechanical watch at least once a month. 
• Avoid adjusting the time or correcting the day, date, month, or lunar phase in the afternoon or evening. 
• Clean your watch and the metal bracelet regularly with warm water. Rinse it with fresh water and dry it with a soft cloth. 
• Avoid contact with water for non-water-resistant models and leather straps. 
• Always make sure the crown and push pieces are screwed down before immersing the watch in water. 
• Rinse the watch in fresh water after swimming in salt water. 
• Clean your watch in fresh water after contact with corrosive materials, such as carbonated beverages, acids, and perfumes. 

Cartier

If you’re the proud owner of a Cartier luxury watch, prioritize a full service every three to five years. At a minimum, aim to have the movement checked every five to six years. 

Cartier provides a comprehensive range of care services to help luxury watch owners keep their timepieces in excellent condition, including:

• A complete service
• Battery service
• Functional check
• Restoration 
• Polishing
• Bracelet adjustment
• Bracelet cleaning 

Why You Should Service Your Watch More Often

While many luxury watch brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe provide recommended service schedules, you don’t have to stick to them. Your usage and environmental factors may warrant more frequent servicing.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is one of the many convenient features that luxury watch owners adore. However, if you frequently expose your watch to water through swimming, diving, or other activities, request basic servicing annually. A trusted service provider can check the gaskets and seals for your peace of mind. 

Daily Wear

Daily wear can increase mechanical stress. If your luxury watch spends more time on your wrist than in a safety deposit box, it’s worth servicing them more often. 

Vintage Timepieces

If your luxury watch is more than 20 years old, don’t underestimate the importance of more frequent servicing. They generally require servicing every three to five years because their parts are typically more sensitive to friction and wear. 

Schedule a Service if You Relate to These Signs

You don’t have to wait until the recommended time has passed before scheduling your next service. In fact, you should check in with a trusted service center if you notice: 

The Watch is Losing or Gaining Time

If your watch is running beyond its normal accuracy range, whether that means too fast or too slow, schedule a service without delay. Losing or gaining time can indicate impact damage, worn parts, dried lubricants, or magnetization. These issues can be remedied with the assistance of a trusted watch servicing professional. 

You Spot Moisture Inside the Crystal

Condensation or fogging beneath the crystal is a serious warning sign. Even if the condensation disappears, the watch should be serviced to prevent the moisture from damaging the movement or corroding delicate parts. 

Difficulty Winding or Setting the Time

If you’re trying to adjust or wind the hands and the crown feels rough, stiff, or loose, some internal parts may be damaged or worn. Rather than forcing the mechanism, seek the services of a qualified watchmaker. 

Unusual Sounds

Hearing rattling, clicking, or other strange sounds isn’t normal. Luxury watches are designed to operate quietly and smoothly. As sounds can indicate a loose component, servicing is required to prevent further damage. 

Reduced Power Reserve

You come to know your unique watch’s power reserve. If it starts to reduce unexpectedly, take notice. The power reserve may have worn mainspring components, insufficient lubrication, or excessive friction. 

Compromised Water Resistance

If you wear your luxury watch in water, you want it to be reliable. Otherwise, you risk significant damage. As soon as your watch is exposed to a strong impact, the crown or crystal has been damaged, or the seals appear to have aged, it’s time to schedule a service. 

Physical Damage

An occasional knock may not seem like a big deal, but it can be. Cracks, dents, scratches, and a damaged crystal can all compromise your watch’s ability to function at its best. If something has happened to your watch and it starts performing unusually, schedule service as soon as possible. 

Learn More About Luxury Watch Care from WOLVYN

At WOLVYN in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, our passion extends beyond selling luxury timepieces. We genuinely care about helping you protect, maintain, and enjoy your watch for years to come. 

Whether you’re looking for servicing guidance, answers to your questions, or care advice, our knowledgeable team is here to help. Contact us today – we look forward to sharing our love of luxury timepieces with you.