Watch Repair Servicing
Your Watch Feeling New Again
Brand-trained Swiss watchmakers using genuine parts – returned to you in days, not months.
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Everything your watch needs to run perfectly again
Get the personal service you deserve with your watch cared for by expert brand-trained watchmakers.
Get your watch serviced faster
Avoid long manufacturer wait times and enjoy expert watch servicing completed in days, not months.
Feel confident in the workmanship
Your watch is serviced by Swiss brand-trained watchmakers using genuine parts only.
Enjoy peace of mind for 24-months
Every full watch service comes with a long-lasting warranty for complete reassurance.
Keep updated every step of the way
You’ll get consistent, clear notifications from our team telling you exactly where your watch is up to at each step.
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What happens during a full service
Every service is carried out by our brand-trained Swiss watchmakers. Your watch is completely disassembled, cleaned, restored, and rebuilt to manufacturer standards.
Your watch contains more than a hundred pieces which work synchronously 24/7. With time, the constant friction can wear out the pieces and oils dry. A full service restores both the functional and aesthetic appearance of your watch. It includes disassembly, overhaul, replacement of worn components as well as refreshment of the case whose sealing will be restored.
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Still have Questions?
We know you want to be extra certain we’re right for you so we’ve tried to answer any questions you may have
How often should I service my watch?
Most Swiss watch brands recommend a complete service every 4-6 years, however it is very dependent on environmental factors and its age. In our experience we find that if you’ve not had your watch serviced for at least 4 years then it’s definitely worth having it checked out. Also if you find it’s not as accurate as you believe it should be then perhaps it’s time.
How long does a watch service take?
This is one of the biggest questions and whilst each watch has its nuances, depending on whether it requires any non-standard servicing parts, we aim to service and return all watches within 2-3 weeks. This is drastically quicker than many other repair centres or brands who usually operate at a minimum of 16-weeks for service and return.
We find that we can do it a lot quicker because we ensure we have a large enough workshop and plenty of in-house trained watchmakers so nothing sits around waiting for a free watch bench.
What does a full watch service include?
A full service includes:
- Complete disassembly of the movement
- Ultrasonic cleaning of the movement components
- Replacement of worn or damaged parts
- Reassembly and precise lubrication
- Timing and accuracy regulation
- Case and bracelet cleaning (and in some cases it will be refurbished)
- New seals and water-resistance testing
- Enhanced quality control checks
- In some circumstances, depending on the brand, casing parts such as crowns may also be included
Do you use genuine brand parts?
Yes! We ONLY use genuine brand parts, sourced from the brands. As an accredited brand workshop for many Swiss watch brands including Cartier, Longines, TAG Heuer and others, we have access to all required parts for servicing and repair.
Are your watchmakers accredited?
Yes! Our watchmakers are accredited with various Swiss brands including TAG Heuer, Longines, Tissot, Rado, Cartier, Ebel, BOSS any many others.
Will you test the water resistance of my watch?
Yes, whilst not all watches are waterproof or have water-resistance ratings that are equal, we have the correct tools to accurately test the water resistance of your watch to it’s manufacturer specified ratings.
Do you offer a warranty on servicing?
Yes, all repairs we provide will come with a warranty as standard. If anything related to our repairs needs attention within the warranty period, we will rectify, no quibbles!
Can you service any brand?
Pretty much! whilst our watchmakers and service centre are accredited for certain brands, we have the tools and skills and experience to handle any watch brand. Some brand-specific parts may be restricted but we’ll always advise you before we undertake any work.
How much does a service cost?
Pricing depends entirely on the brand, movement type and whether the watch is automatic, manual wind, quartz or variations of these. You can get an instant online quote using our price calculator with no obligation.
How do i send you my watch?
You can choose either:
- Free, insured courier collection from any UK address, or
- Drop-off at one of our trusted partner jewellers near you.
Both options include tracking and transparent updates at every step of the repair process.
Do you return old parts?
Where possible, we return parts that have been changed during the service. Some parts can only be exchanged with the brand so we’ll have to return the old ones to them.
Will servicing fix timekpeeing and accuracy issues?
Yes, a full service restores the movement to proper working condition and typically resolves timekeeping issues, power-reserve, and intermittent stopping. It is important to note that all results are dependent on the age, current condition and available parts.
Can I track the progress of my repair?
Yes, you’ll receive repair updates at all key stages, and you can contact our support team at any time for information. Our process is designed to be clear, transparent and reassuring.
Do you offer polishing with a watch service?
For most Swiss brands complimentary case and bracelet polishing is done where possible, for others you can always request this is added on.
Our refinishing department is able to restore the watch’s original finish and shape with a series of different techniques.
What happens if further repair work is needed?
If our watchmaker identies any additional issues during the service, we’ll pause the work and contact you immediately with a clear detail of what further work is required. It is up to you whether you would like to proceed or not, we’ll never force anything on you.
A complete guide to watch servicing
Owning a watch, whether it’s Swiss luxury or something with sentimental value, isn’t just about keeping time. It’s about looking after a piece of engineering that’s built to last.
In our experience, most people wear their watch because of what it represents: a milestone, a memory, or simply something they enjoy putting on every day. Looking after something that meaningful means understanding when it needs attention, how often it should be serviced, and what actually happens during a service.
One of our watchmakers often compares a watch to a car. You don’t wait for your car to break down before servicing it, you maintain it so it doesn’t break down, especially not when you rely on it most. Watches are no different. Our view, which aligns with all major Swiss brands, is that regular servicing prevents unnecessary wear, avoids more costly repairs, and keeps your watch performing the way it should.
Below, we’ve put together a complete guide to watch servicing, based on what we see every day in our workshop, to help you understand the when, why, and how of looking after your watch properly.
Quick answers - at a glance
How often should you service a watch?
Most Swiss brands recommend servicing every 4 to 6 years depending on wear and environmental conditions.
How long does a full service normally take?
Turnaround times can vary widely. Many services take several weeks, and some brands or retailers that outsource repairs may take significantly longer.
What should be included in a full watch service?
A complete overhaul includes disassembly of the movement, cleaning, replacement of worn parts, lubrication, regulation, new seals and final testing.
Should genuine parts be used during servicing?
Yes. Using brand-correct or genuine parts helps maintain accuracy, reliability and long-term value.
Is restoring water resistance an important part of servicing?
Yes. Replacing gaskets and performing pressure tests is essential to protect a watch from moisture and dust.
Does servicing improve accuracy?
Yes. Correct lubrication and regulation restore the movement to proper performance and help it keep time more consistently.
What happens if a watch is not serviced?
Oils dry out, friction increases and components begin to wear, eventually leading to poor performance or expensive repairs.
Can an independent workshop service most Swiss brands?
Yes. Many qualified independent service centres repair hundreds of modern and vintage models across leading Swiss brands.
In this guide
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How often should you service a watch?
Most Swiss brands suggest servicing a watch every 4 to 6 years, but the truth is that watches should be serviced whenever you reasonably can, at the point before wear begins to cause damage. Over time, the oils inside a movement dry out or thicken, which increases friction on the contact points. That friction slowly wears metal away, and once wear sets in, parts can break. When that happens, servicing becomes more expensive and, for some older movements, replacement parts may no longer exist.
In our workshop, the healthiest watches we see are the ones that arrive before anything has gone wrong. Those services are mainly cleaning and re-lubrication, and the movements go on running smoothly for years. The difficult ones are the watches that come in after something has already broken, especially if the model is old, worn, or uses parts that are now discontinued.
A good rule of thumb is to service your watch roughly every 4 years. If it’s running well, you might stretch to 5 or 6, but beyond that it is worth having a qualified, brand-trained watchmaker check it before something fails. Vintage watches often need more frequent attention simply because of the wear they have already accumulated over decades.
Signs your watch may need attention
Most early warning signs show up as changes in timekeeping. A mechanical watch that normally gains three seconds a day but suddenly gains thirty has almost certainly drifted outside its ideal performance range. Customers are often surprised at how wide the manufacturer tolerances can be, so accuracy should always be judged against how the watch usually behaves, not against the idea that a mechanical watch should be exact. Quartz watches are different and should stay accurate to within a second or two a month, so any change there is a clearer sign.
Visual changes are another clue. Moisture under the crystal, marks on the dial, dents, a cracked crystal or even a heavy impact that seems harmless can all indicate underlying issues. Sometimes a watch will continue to run after a drop, but something may have shifted or loosened inside. The truth is that by the time a watch displays obvious symptoms, it may already be overdue a service. If it has been more than four or five years since its last service, that alone is a strong reason to have it checked before wear begins to escalate.
What actually happens during a full service?
A full service begins with a detailed external inspection to check for dents, dial damage, moisture traces or anything unusual. The case back is opened using the correct tool for that specific design, the crown is removed and the movement is taken out of the case. The hands and dial are carefully removed and set aside so nothing is marked or bent.
The movement is then fully stripped down with each component inspected as it is removed. Old lubricants dry out or thicken over time, so every part is cleaned in specialised solutions and then passed through an ultrasonic cleaner to remove residue. While this happens, the case and bracelet are usually sent for refinishing.
Reassembly is where the watchmaker’s skill shows. Each lubrication point uses a specific oil in a precise amount, and over-oiling is just as damaging as too little. Worn or broken parts are replaced and the movement is regulated and tested across different positions. The hands and dial are re-fitted under clean conditions, the watch is cased, gaskets are renewed and a pressure test confirms the seal is sound. It sounds straightforward, but accuracy at every step is what separates a good service from a poor one.
How long does a watch service take?
Servicing the movement itself is not what takes the most time. A watchmaker can often complete the bench work in half a day, with the remaining time spent on polishing, reassembly and quality testing to make sure the movement performs consistently over several intervals. The real factors that influence turnaround time are everything that surrounds the bench work.
Parts availability is a major one. Brands usually hold stock for their own watches, but independent service centres look after many different makes, so sourcing parts can add time unless the workshop invests heavily in stock. In most cases, watches spend more time in queues than on the bench. Workshop flow, machine access and watchmaker expertise all play a role. Cleaning machines, pressure testers and refinishing equipment can only handle so many jobs at once, and more complex movements can only be assigned to certain watchmakers with the right accreditation.
Most customers are unaware of this. They simply see the final timeframe. In practice, once a job is approved, it enters the workshop within a few days, is assigned to the right watchmaker and is usually completed within a steady workflow rather than continuous hands-on time.
How much does a watch service cost?
The cost of a watch service is driven almost entirely by labour. Around ninety percent of what you pay covers the time, skill and experience of the watchmaker, supported by the workshop and the equipment behind them. Servicing a mechanical movement is a specialist skill that takes years to develop, and the more complex or delicate the watch, the more time and expertise it demands.
Parts do play a role, but they are usually a smaller part of the total unless the watch has been damaged or needs multiple components replaced. Luxury watches also tend to cost more simply because their servicing needs to reflect the standard of the brand. Two watches may use similar movements, but the price can differ based on the expected level of care and accreditation required.
There is also a broader cost behind the scenes. Independent service centres invest heavily in tooling, brand training, cleaning machines and pressure-testing equipment. When a watch is severely worn or water damaged, the cost increases because replacing unavailable or discontinued parts becomes expensive. Ultimately, a service reflects the time and expertise required to put the watch right, not just the parts inside it.
Quartz, automatic and mechanical servicing explained
From a customer’s point of view, there is little practical difference between servicing an automatic movement and a hand-wound mechanical one. Both rely on the same principles: gears, springs, jewels and precise lubrication. Automatics have an additional winding module and rotor system, but this does not meaningfully change how long the service takes or how the watchmaker approaches the work. It is why most accredited service centres do not price automatic and mechanical servicing differently.
The more meaningful distinction is between mechanical watches and quartz watches. Quartz movements are simpler in design but still require proper servicing, as they also contain wheels, lubrication points, circuits and coils. Many customers are surprised that a quartz watch can need more than a battery, but common failures such as damaged coils, circuit faults or train wheel blockages are fairly routine in our workshop. With lower-end quartz movements the entire calibre is sometimes replaced because the cost of parts is so low, whereas mechanical movements are always serviced and regulated. The core difference is in the components, not the level of care required.
Why genuine parts matter
The importance of genuine parts depends entirely on the type of watch. For modern Swiss luxury brands — Rolex, Cartier, Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer and similar — the safest and most appropriate approach is always to use the correct, brand-issued components. These are engineered specifically for that model and manufactured to the exact tolerances that movement, case and crown system were designed for. Even if an aftermarket part appears to “fit”, it is rarely perfect. Small differences can affect water resistance, amplitude, wear patterns and long-term reliability. It can also create complications at future services, because any workshop working to brand standards will want to replace every non-genuine component.
There are sensible exceptions, and this is where context matters. Some lower-end and fashion brands use parts produced by the same factories that make the “official” components, which means identical replacements exist even if they were not supplied through the brand’s own channels. These are perfectly acceptable for watches like Rotary, Fossil or Sekonda, because the parts are genuinely the same in every meaningful way. Vintage watches are another case where brand parts may simply no longer exist, so high-quality replacements are often the only realistic option. And with certain ETA-based watches, the standard ETA version of a movement can be structurally identical to the “brand-signed” version, even if the manufacturer technically classifies it as non-genuine.
In these situations, using a non-brand component can be acceptable or even necessary — as long as the work is carried out by a skilled service centre that stands behind it with a proper warranty. The line is straightforward: for modern Swiss luxury watches, genuine parts matter because they preserve performance, reliability and future serviceability. For older, discontinued or lower-value watches, there is more flexibility, but only when handled honestly and by someone who understands exactly what is being fitted and why.
Water resistance after servicing
Water resistance is one of the most misunderstood things in watch ownership. The depth rating printed on the dial doesn’t mean what people think it means. A watch marked “30m” is not suitable for diving to 30 metres, it barely means splash-proof. Even higher ratings are often misunderstood. It’s all based on pressure, not real-world swimming, and the true ISO standards are far more complex than most brands ever explain.
After servicing, water resistance can almost always be restored, but only if the case, crown, tube, crystal and other components are still in good condition. New gaskets alone don’t solve everything. Slight deformations in an older case, completely invisible to the eye, are one of the most common reasons a watch still fails a pressure test. Crowns and tubes also wear faster than other parts because they’re used the most.
A passed pressure test means the watch is sealed today, not forever. Water resistance naturally degrades again with age, heat, wear and daily use. It can’t be improved beyond its original rating, and it can’t be guaranteed indefinitely. And without the correct testing equipment, no one can say with certainty whether a watch is sealed at all.
How to choose a trusted watch service centre
The most important question isn’t “Where should I take my watch?” but “Who is actually servicing it?” Most places that accept watches for repair don’t service them in-house at all. High-street jewellers, fashion retailers, brand boutiques that aren’t owned by the brand, national chains and market stalls almost always send watches elsewhere, sometimes to the brand, sometimes to a trade workshop, sometimes to whoever they happen to use at the time. When your watch passes through multiple hands, you’re paying for each middleman along the way and losing clarity about who’s doing the actual work.
A trustworthy service centre is one that carries out the work themselves, with their own accredited watchmakers, proper workshop equipment and access to genuine parts. Accreditation is a strong indicator of standards, but even for brands that don’t offer accreditation, the ability to source correct components through recognised channels is essential. Experience matters, too. You want watchmakers who have handled your brand and movement before, not someone attempting it for the first time with a borrowed set of tools.
Good service isn’t just about the watchmaker, it’s also about the support around them. A reliable service centre has a team you can speak to, clear communication, proper job tracking and a warranty they stand behind. If a shop outsources the work, they can’t give you accurate updates because they’re not the ones repairing it. If you want your watch done by the people who actually have the tools, training and expertise, go directly to the service centre that does everything in-house, not the middleman.
Related watch repair topics
Explore more guides and useful articles that help you understand how different aspects of watch care and repair work.
Water Resistance Guide
Understand how water resistance really works, what depth ratings mean, and why proper testing protects your watch from hidden moisture damage.
Timekeeping Accuracy
Learn why watches gain or lose time, what’s normal for quartz and mechanical movements, and when accuracy issues are a sign your watch needs attention.
Caring for Your Watch
Simple habits and maintenance tips to keep your watch running well for years, prevent costly faults, and protect it from everyday wear and tear.
Other watch repair services
If your watch needs more than a full service, these specialist repair options can help restore its performance, appearance, and everyday reliability.
Battery Replacements
Genuine batteries fitted by trained experts, with full resealing and testing to keep your quartz watch running smoothly.
Polishing & Refurbishment
Bring back the original finish of your case and bracelet with professional polishing and careful detail work.
Looking for more repair options? Explore all our watch repair services