Common Watch Problems & the Importance of Professional Watch Repair
It can be frustrating and alarming when your luxury timepiece fails to work correctly. At Feldmar, we have worked on watches for over 100 years and have repaired just about every type of watch problem you can think of.
First things first . . . the importance of professional repair
Experience is critical when it comes to performing repairs on an investment as important as a luxury timepiece. Even a fix as simple as replacing a watch battery absolutely must be completed by a highly-trained watchmaker. Attempting to complete repairs yourself could damage your watch further or void your warranty.
Repairs at Feldmar Watch Company
We can perform repairs on any watch brand in our showroom, regardless of where it was purchased. Our watchmakers have years of experience and work on both new and vintage timepieces.
The best way to prevent damage to your watch
By keeping up with regular watch service and maintenance, you are proactively preventing against future damage and the need for costly repairs. Watches should be serviced at a minimum of every 3-5 years to ensure they are running optimally.
Service at Feldmar Watch Company
During service appointments at Feldmar, your timepiece will be thoroughly cleaned and checked for accuracy, ensuring that no repairs are needed.
Common watch problems and repairs
Watch stopped running
Of course it could be a more serious problem, but most likely, if your watch stops running suddenly, it’s a simple dead battery issue.
Battery has a short life
If you believe your battery is dying before it should be, it could actually be user error. Anything other than basic timekeeping will drain your battery quickly. You may be utilizing the extra functions in excess or may accidentally be leaving functions on after using them.
Watch works until you put it on
Oftentimes, a person’s watch is working just fine until they are actually wearing it, when it stops. This is triggered by the warmth of your body heating up the inside of the watch, expanding the parts to stretch, disconnect or break something internally.
Second hand issues
If your battery is skipping several seconds at a time, this is most likely your battery’s end of life indicator alerting you that it’s time to change your watch’s battery. Having a professional replace the battery should fix this problem. Be sure to do this as soon as you notice the second hand skip to avoid the risk of acid leaking into the watch. If your second hand is ticking back and forth in one spot, this may indicate that something is wrong mechanically and the watch’s movement may need serviced.
Buttons don’t function properly
There is a small spring that pushes the buttons on your timepiece in and out when you press them. Over time, dirt and debris can build up inside your watch, preventing the springs from working properly. If the buttons don’t push in or automatically pop out when pushed in, the watch may need cleaned or the springs may need to be replaced or repaired.
Watch running slow or fast
If your watch is gaining or losing time each day, it may actually indicate absolutely nothing. Most watches deviate a little each day and over time, the variation can accumulate. However, if your watch is varying by more than multiple seconds each day, it could mean that it needs professionally serviced, repaired or cleaned.
Loose screws
Over time, especially if your watch is dropped, screws can become loose. While it may seem like a simple issue, loose screws can cause a multitude of bigger issues so it’s best to bring your watch in for professional repair as soon as you notice one.
Is your watch in need of repair or maintenance? We can’t stress how important it is to have these services completed by a qualified watchmaker. Stop into one of our stores or fill out our repair form to get started.
About The Author: Scott Meller
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Scott joined Feldmar Watch Company, Inc. under the tutelage of his father, Sol. As a fourth generation family member, Scott’s forward-thinking business acumen has placed Feldmar on the cutting edge of the luxury timepiece market. Scott’s favorite part about working at Feldmar is being a part of his family’s multi-generational business and having worked alongside his father. His accomplishments are many, including the expansion and remodel of the Feldmar flagship store, as well as a second location inside The Beverly Hilton.
Since attending Santa Monica College, Scott has become an expert in the technical aspects of the timepieces sold at Feldmar. Each year, he travels to Switzerland—the watchmaking capital of the world—to attend the Baselword Watch & Jewelry Fair and build upon his extensive knowledge of this quickly-evolving industry.
Scott is very proud of the way Feldmar customers are put first: “We regularly go out of our way to meet the needs of our clients. A client once purchased a rather significant watch as a birthday gift for his brother who lived in New York. Our client asked how we were going to deliver the gift and we responded with the typical answer, we would ship it by FedEx. After we answered his question, we could tell that he wanted a more personalized experience for the delivery and offered to have it hand-delivered by one of our associates. He lit up at the thought, and so off went one of our associates to New York City for the day to hand-deliver the gift.”
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