What is a movement service?
Just like a car, watches need regular maintenance in order to keep them running reliably. For mechanical watches, the movement typically needs to be serviced every 5-10 years.
How a movement service is performed:
Accessing the movement
Before the movement can be serviced, it must be removed from the watch. After the movement is out, the dial and hands can be removed.
Disassembly & Inspection
Every bridge, screw and spring is removed until the movement is fully disassembled. Once the movement is apart, the watchmaker will meticulously inspect each part under magnification. Any parts showing wear or damage will be replaced.
Cleaning
All of the movement parts are put into small containers and loaded into a specialized cleaning machine. Similar to a small clothes washer, the machine spins the parts in a solution of powerful detergents to remove any old lubricants, dirt, or other contaminants from the movement.
Reassembly & Lubrication
Once the movement is clean, the Watchmaker can begin reassembling the movement. Precise amounts of oil and grease must be applied to dozens of points in the movement in order to reduce friction and prevent damage. Special chemical coatings are applied to the movement in order to keep the lubricants in place and prolong the life of the service.
Right On Time Watches use Swiss Made, Moebius brand lubricants.
Casing the movement
Once the movement is fully assembled, the dial and hands will be reinstalled. Extreme care must be taken to clean any dust and debris from the case, as they will be visible once the watch is assembled and can interfere with the functioning of the movement.
Adjustment and Testing
Once the watch is back together, the Watchmaker will begin the process of testing and adjusting the movement. Many pieces of specialized equipment are used during this process, the most important of which uses a high sensitivity microphone in order to determine the rate at which the watch is running. Depending on the movement, this process takes 3-5 days.