STORIES

How Often Should You Service a Luxury Automatic Watch?

Learn ideal service timing what happens during servicing, and how to protect your luxury timepiece.

June 2025

Preserve Precision with Professional Servicing

A high-quality automatic watch is more than a timekeeper, t’s a mechanical work of art and a long-term investment. To ensure it performs with the same precision decades from now, regular professional servicing is essential. In this guide, we break down how often to service your watch, what’s included in a full service, typical costs, and whether tools like winders or DIY care are worth considering.

What You'll Learn

1. How Often Do Automatic Watches Need Servicing
2. What Happens During a Professional Watch Service
3. How Much Does Automatic Watch Servicing Cost
4. Are Automatic Watch Winders Necessary
5. 5. Should You Choose Brand Service or Independent
6. What If My Watch Needs Repair Instead of Servicing
7. Check Watch Care Plans and Subscriptions
FAQ on When to Service an Automatic Watch

Preserve Precision with Professional Servicing

A high-quality automatic watch is more than a timekeeper, t’s a mechanical work of art and a long-term investment. To ensure it performs with the same precision decades from now, regular professional servicing is essential. In this guide, we break down how often to service your watch, what’s included in a full service, typical costs, and whether tools like winders or DIY care are worth considering.

What You'll Learn

1. How Often Do Automatic Watches Need Servicing?

Most watchmakers recommend a full service every 3 to 5 years

Automatic watches are built to last a lifetime—but only if properly maintained. Just like a car engine, the lubricants and components in your watch degrade with time and use. While most manufacturers recommend servicing every 3–5 years, several factors can influence the ideal interval. Regular servicing keeps your movement running smoothly, preserves timekeeping accuracy, and prevents costly damage due to wear or dry oil. Here’s when you should consider more or less frequent service:

When to Consider More Frequent Servicing:

You wear the watch daily or during sports
It’s exposed to humidity, heat, or cold often
You notice a drop in accuracy or performance
It’s a vintage model with delicate internal parts

When Less Frequent Servicing May Be Fine:

The watch is stored most of the time in a winder or case
You rotate between watches and don’t wear one every day
You avoid exposing it to water or shock
It’s been serviced within the past 3 years and runs accurately

Learn what to look for in our article: Top 5 Signs Your Automatic Watch Needs Servicing.

When to Consider More Frequent Servicing:

You wear the watch daily or during sports
It’s exposed to humidity, heat, or cold often
You notice a drop in accuracy or performance
It’s a vintage model with delicate internal parts

When Less Frequent Servicing May Be Fine:

The watch is stored most of the time in a winder or case
You rotate between watches and don’t wear one every day
You avoid exposing it to water or shock
It’s been serviced within the past 3 years and runs accurately

Learn what to look for in our article: Top 5 Signs Your Automatic Watch Needs Servicing.

2. What Happens During a Professional Watch Service?

Servicing a luxury automatic watch is an intricate process. It’s not just a tune-up—it’s a full overhaul by skilled hands to restore the movement to peak condition. During a typical service, the watchmaker will:

Disassemble the movement completely
Clean each component using ultrasonic tools
Replace any worn or damaged parts
Lubricate all moving parts with fresh oils
Reassemble and regulate for precise timekeeping
Test water resistance and polish the case (if applicable)

For everyday maintenance tips, read our guide: How To Care For Your Luxury Automatic Watch: 10 Essential Tips.

Disassemble the movement completely
Clean each component using ultrasonic tools
Replace any worn or damaged parts
Lubricate all moving parts with fresh oils
Reassemble and regulate for precise timekeeping
Test water resistance and polish the case (if applicable)

For everyday maintenance tips, read our guide: How To Care For Your Luxury Automatic Watch: 10 Essential Tips.

3. How Much Does Automatic Watch Servicing Cost?

Servicing costs depend on the brand, complexity of the movement, and whether replacement parts are needed. On average:

Microbrands / Entry-Level Swiss Movements (e.g. ETA 2671): $250–$500
Luxury Swiss Brands (Omega, IWC, Cartier): $500–$1,200
Complications or Vintage Models: $1,500+

Servicing costs depend on the brand, complexity of the movement, and whether replacement parts are needed. On average:

Microbrands / Entry-Level Swiss Movements (e.g. ETA 2671): $250–$500
Luxury Swiss Brands (Omega, IWC, Cartier): $500–$1,200
Complications or Vintage Models: $1,500+

4. Are Watch Winders Necessary?

Automatic watch winders are optional—but helpful if you rotate between timepieces. For complicated movements like annual calendars, they prevent the hassle of constant resetting. That said, a winder won’t replace servicing. It only keeps the movement in motion. If you don’t use a winder:

Wind your watch manually every week
Store it crown-up in a cool, dry watch box
Avoid long idle periods without movement

Wind your watch manually every week
Store it crown-up in a cool, dry watch box
Avoid long idle periods without movement

5. Should You Choose Brand Service or Independent?

Both options are valid. Brand-authorised service centres maintain resale value and use proprietary parts, but tend to be slower and more expensive. Certified independent watchmakers may offer shorter turnaround and similar quality for less. Look for a professional with:

Experience in Swiss movement servicing
Proper tooling and ultrasonic cleaning equipment
Clear communication and service records

Experience in Swiss movement servicing
Proper tooling and ultrasonic cleaning equipment
Clear communication and service records

6. What If My Watch Needs Repair Instead of Servicing?

While regular servicing keeps your automatic watch in peak condition, issues caused by shock, water damage, or magnetism may require specialized repair. If your watch suddenly stops working, makes unusual noises, or shows signs of water damage—especially between services—it likely needs immediate repair. Always bring your watch to a brand-authorized centre or a trusted independent expert. Avoid local shops without Swiss-grade tools or training. If you're unsure whether it's time for repair or service, a diagnostic inspection can help determine the right next step.

Servicing is Preventive: A full overhaul to clean, lubricate, and calibrate the movement.
Repair is Corrective: Fixing broken parts, replacing worn components, or addressing specific issues like a stuck rotor or damaged mainspring.

Servicing is Preventive: A full overhaul to clean, lubricate, and calibrate the movement.
Repair is Corrective: Fixing broken parts, replacing worn components, or addressing specific issues like a stuck rotor or damaged mainspring.

7. Check Watch Care Plans and Subscriptions

Today’s luxury brands often offer service care plans, adding long-term value to your investment. These plans may include regular inspections, discounted servicing, free polishing, or extended warranties—especially helpful for owners of multiple timepieces. For example, brands may bundle:

Complimentary pressure testing (for diving watches)
One free polish or strap replacement every few years
Expedited turnaround for regular clients
Subscription-based care, like automatic reminders and discounted servicing rates

Always register your watch upon purchase, and inquire whether the brand offers a formal care plan. VIEREN currently offers professional servicing at one of our authorized centres and we're happy to help with any of your servicing needs.

Complimentary pressure testing (for diving watches)
One free polish or strap replacement every few years
Expedited turnaround for regular clients
Subscription-based care, like automatic reminders and discounted servicing rates

FAQ on When to Service an Automatic Watch

Do I really need to service my watch if it's still working?
Yes. Internal wear and oil degradation are invisible until they affect performance. Preventative servicing avoids serious damage.

What happens if I never service my watch?
Over time, dried oils increase friction, damaging the movement. The result? Inaccuracy, mechanical failure, and costly repairs—or full replacement.

How long does it take to service a watch?
Most full services take 2–6 weeks. The wait depends on parts availability and the complexity of the timepiece.

Can I service my watch myself?
No. Servicing requires specialised tools and training. Attempting it yourself could ruin the movement and void the warranty.

Does servicing affect value?
Servicing through a reputable watchmaker helps maintain or even increase value. Always keep records to prove a documented service history.

FAQ on When to Service an Automatic Watch

SUMMARY

Servicing your automatic watch is not just upkeep but preservation. Regular maintenance every three to five years keeps your timepiece accurate, reliable, and running smoothly for decades. Ignoring servicing can lead to costly repairs and diminished performance over time. Built on generations of watchmaking expertise, VIEREN honours Swiss luxury at its finest, built to last so protect your investment by caring for the craftsmanship inside.

SUMMARY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jess Chow, Founder and CEO VIEREN

As Canada’s first female founder of a luxury watch brand, Jess is passionate about horology and dedicated to crafting Swiss Made automatic timepieces that merge modern artistry and precision to inspire a new generation of collectors with confidence and style.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR