MAINTENANCE
How often should you service a watch?
Service too rarely and dried oils grind your movement; service needlessly and you spend money for nothing. Here’s a sensible schedule, the warning signs to watch for, and how to keep a history you can actually find.
Rough servicing intervals
Guidance, not gospel — brands and usage vary.
Automatic / mechanical
Roughly every 4–6 years. Re-lubrication before the oils dry is what protects the movement long-term.
Quartz
Battery every 1–3 years with a reseal; full service only occasionally over the watch’s life.
Dive & water use
Have gaskets and water resistance pressure-tested more often if you regularly swim or dive with a watch.
Signs it’s time
Shrinking power reserve
If a fully wound watch dies far sooner than it used to, the movement likely needs attention.
Poor timekeeping
Suddenly running fast, slow, or stopping intermittently is a classic service signal.
Moisture or fogging
Any condensation under the crystal means the seals have failed — get it opened promptly.
Rough crown or hands
A gritty crown, stiff winding, or a stuttering second hand all point to a service.
What a good service includes
Keep a service log
Record every service with receipts.
Water resistance
Re-test seals at service time.
Watch glossary
Movements & terms explained.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you service an automatic watch?
As a general rule, every 4–6 years for a modern automatic — though many run well longer. Manufacturers vary in their recommendations, and hard-worn or vintage watches may need attention sooner. The goal is to re-lubricate and reseal before dried oils cause wear.
Do quartz watches need servicing?
Much less. A quartz watch mainly needs a fresh battery every 1–3 years, ideally fitted with a reseal and water-resistance check. A full service is only occasionally necessary over its life.
What are the signs a watch needs a service?
Watch for a shrinking power reserve, the watch stopping or running fast/slow, a second hand that stutters, moisture under the crystal, a stiff or gritty crown, or simply a long time since the last service. Any of these means it’s worth a check.
What does a watch service include and cost?
A full service disassembles the movement, cleans and re-lubricates it, replaces worn gaskets, tests accuracy and water resistance, and refinishes the case if requested. Costs vary widely — from around $150 for a simple movement to many hundreds for high-end or complicated pieces.
How do I keep track of when my watches were serviced?
Keep a service log for each watch with the date, provider, work done and receipt. The Veloce app has a built-in service log where you can record every service, attach proof, and see at a glance when each piece is due.
Never lose a service record again
Log full services, receipts and providers for every watch in the Veloce app, and see when each is due.