Here is an important message I need to share
with you. Actually, it is probably the most important message of the
year: there is a fairly high chance that this year one of your watches will stop keeping time.
Or worse, it could be subject to severe shock or water damage, and so
it will stop altogether, refusing to kick back in action. At best, it
might become magnetised, get scratched, or simply end up being
inaccurate, all for no apparent reason, and at no fault of yours. At
worst, it might suffer severe damage to a delicate internal component,
or multiple components, or break into pieces.
To mechanical machines, things simply happen. High grade watches are no exception.
If your watch stops ticking, for whatever reason, here is a short list
of things that can help you return your watch to good, working order.
1. Watches need regular servicing. If there is no
obvious external damage, your watch has most likely failed because it
needs a regular overhaul. That may require replacement of some
components, but your watchmaker or authorised service centre should be
able to help you. Definitely not the end of the world!
2. Severely damaged watches are still repairable. Yes the repair cost will be high, but so are the chances of full and successful restoration. It's only money (and time).
3. It could be a simple matter. A battery replacement,
some fine tuning, a lose screw, or demagnetisation. These are all jobs
that your watchmaker can handle with ease. In some cases, even while you
wait!
4. It's never your watchmakers fault. Let me state the
obvious: watchmakers fix watches, they are not in the business of
breaking watches. It could be tempting to blame a watchmaker for your
troubles, but blaming a watchmaker will get you nowhere. Watchmakers are
technically minded people, so keep all correspondence technical and
devoid of emotion. If you can't trust a watchmaker, take it elsewhere.
It's as simple as that.
5. Ask for a repair estimate before committing to a repair.
A ballpark figure at least. If you leave a watch with the instruction
to “just fix it”, then you may be in for a surprise. Likewise, don't
insult your watchmaker with a nonchalant "do I owe you anything for
this?". Yes, you do.
6. Allow your watchmaker to work at his own pace.
Watchmakers are not lazy. On the contrary, they are highly efficient
professionals who want to see the job completed properly and in timely
manner. However they depend on spare parts suppliers who are
unfortunately few and far between. Parts are hard to source, especially
for older and vintage watches. Please be patient. Numerous “is it ready
yet?” calls are unnecessary and highly annoying.
7. We are here to serve you. We are on your side. But life is short and at the end of the day, a watch is just a watch. | |
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