Hello everyone, I am purewatches, a watch enthusiast who has been dealing with watches for many years. Recently, a friend asked me: “My watch has been running several minutes a day lately. Is it broken?” In fact, in daily use, inaccurate watch timing does not necessarily mean that there is a serious problem with the movement. I have experienced similar situations several times. Through simple troubleshooting and adjustments, I not only saved maintenance costs, but also restored the accuracy and vitality of my favorite watch.
Today I will share four “self-rescue” methods that I have verified in practice, hoping to help you avoid unnecessary expenses and let your beloved watch stay with you for a few more years.
1. Check “magnetism” first – 90% of travel time abnormalities are caused by it
Many people think that magnetism is an ancient phenomenon, but in modern life, mobile phones, tablets, magnetic bags, speakers…magnetic fields are everywhere. I once had a mechanical watch that I wore daily, and it suddenly went faster by nearly 2 minutes every day. Looking back, I always kept it next to my notebook during that time.
My actual measurement of home-made demagnetization: I didn’t have professional equipment at hand, so I found an old audio speaker (the kind with a magnet), and slowly passed the watch through the magnet area several times. Miraculously, the error was significantly reduced the next day!
Practical advice：
- Want to play it safe? Spend dozens of yuan online to buy a household degaussing device (simple to operate and safe).
- Or go directly to a watch shop – many small shop masters will help you with free testing + degaussing, no charge!
2. Is it not a magnet problem? It may be that the movement is “thirsty”
After I eliminated the magnetism, another old watch still kept erratic time. After wearing it for more than five years, the automatic winding efficiency has deteriorated, and slight abnormal noises can be heard at night. This is most likely due to drying up of lubricating oil + worn parts.
my way of dealing with it：
I didn’t dare to dismantle it myself, but found a local independent repair shop (not a brand store) with a good reputation. The master opened the cover and took a look. Sure enough, the rotor bearing was worn and the oil was dry. After thorough maintenance, the walking time was immediately stable, and the daily difference was controlled within +5 seconds.
Important reminder：
- Movement problems are difficult for ordinary people to repair on their own, but they can be preliminarily judged by “listening to the sound + feel”.
- Before sending it for repair, ask several dealers to confirm whether cleaning, adjustment, and waterproof testing are included, and ask to keep the old parts.
3. Your wearing habits may be “damaging” the watch
I once thought that mechanical watches were “sturdy and durable” and I wore them when playing badminton and riding mountain bikes. It wasn’t until the watch repair master said: “High-frequency vibration will cause the balance wheel to deviate, and the error will naturally become larger.” I suddenly realized it.
My comparative experiment：
For a week, switch to a quartz watch or a smart watch during strenuous exercise, and a mechanical watch only for commuting and office work. result? The error dropped from ±40 seconds/day to within ±10 seconds!
Key recommendations：
- Thin watches with complex functions are particularly susceptible to shocks, so try to avoid high-intensity activities when wearing them daily.
- At the same time, pay attention to the winding status: too little exercise (lack of power) or twisting the crown too much (excessive winding) will affect the travel time.
4. Does maintenance really need to be done every 3-5 years? Look at the watch and speak!
Officials recommend maintenance once every 3-5 years, but the actual situation varies from person to person. My strategy is:“Based on travel time status, not time”。
When the following signals appear, I will consider maintenance:
- The error suddenly amplifies (after excluding magnetization)
- The winding feel becomes astringent and the power is significantly shortened.
- Reduced waterproofing performance (such as fogging)
Fee reference：
The market price for comprehensive maintenance of a basic mechanical watch is about 800-2,000 yuan, and complex models are even more expensive. When choosing a store, be sure to make sure it includes: movement cleaning, adjustment, waterproof testing, and ask for a maintenance list.
Summary: The watch keeps time incorrectly, so don’t panic! Follow these 4 steps to check
1️⃣ First check whether it is magnetized (the most common and easiest to solve)
2️⃣ Review wearing habits (whether vibration and winding are reasonable)
3️⃣ Record the error for several consecutive days (providing basis for sending for repair)
4️⃣ Choose a reliable repair center (emphasis on reputation and service details)
A watch is like an old friend, and it’s normal to get “emotional” from time to time. As long as you treat it with care, it will reward you with precision, reliability and companionship. I hope these personal test experiences can help you avoid detours and gain more peace of mind.