How Much Does Watch Service Cost?

The day you buy your first proper watch is your day of transitioning from a guy to a gentleman.

However, the first 3-5 years is usually the honeymoon period of a watch.

You adorn it on your wrist daily, appraising it with every glance.

But then comes a time when the luster starts to fade, and the gears begin to grind.

Automatic watches usually start to lose time, and quartz watches run out of battery.

It’s time for watch service!

All praise to the watch professionals, but the last thing you want to do is spend too much on watch service.

This article will cover everything you need about watch servicing and its cost.

Indications you Need Servicing for your Watch

Watches, especially automatic ones, are an asset that can even last a lifetime.

But like everything else, they, too, need regular maintenance.

Watch servicing is necessary to ensure that your watch continues to have the same accuracy as when you first bought it.

Ignore servicing for too long, and it can lead to irreversible damage and costly repairs.

The general rule of thumb is to get your watch serviced every five years.

But other things that ask for a watch service. These include

Timekeeping Inaccuracy: An automatic watch normally gains or loses a few seconds daily. Losing or gaining more than 5 minutes indicates that the watch needs a service.

Water Damage: If your watch has come into contact with water and the interior has experienced moisture, it’s time to get it serviced. Watches with 3 ATMs or less water resistance must be checked if submerged in deep water.

Poor Power Reserve: If your automatic watch’s power reserve has drastically diminished or is not winding as effectively as before, these could also be signs of requiring a service.

Grinding Noise: If your watch has started making a grinding noise or any unusual sound, it’s a clear sign that something is wrong internally and a service is in order.

Lack of Smooth Motion: The second hand of your watch should move smoothly. If it starts to skip or stutter, it’s a sign that your watch requires a service.

Physical Damage: Any visible signs of damage, such as a broken watch glass, a damaged crown, or a dysfunctional bezel, also necessitate watch servicing. Physical damages can sometimes call for a proper watch repair.

The Steps of Watch Servicing

Now that you know when to get your watch serviced, let’s talk about what actually happens during a watch service.

The process typically includes:

• Initial Inspection: The watchmaker will examine the overall condition of the watch for any visible damages or defects.
• Disassembly: The watch is taken apart piece by piece, and each part is inspected for wear and tear or damage.
• Cleaning: The parts are then thoroughly cleaned using specialized equipment to remove the dirt, dust, or debris.
• Replacement of Parts: If parts are damaged beyond repair, they will be replaced with new ones.
• Reassembly: The watch is carefully reassembled once all necessary repairs and replacements have been made.
• Lubrication: The watchmaker will then apply lubricants to the moving parts to ensure smooth functioning.
• Regulation: The watch’s accuracy is checked and adjusted if necessary.
• Final Inspection: The watch is inspected one final time to ensure everything is in working order before being returned to the customer.

Where Do You Get Your Watch Serviced?

Now that you know the importance and process of watch servicing, you might wonder where to get it done.

You have a few options.

The best place to get your watch serviced is at an authorized service center for your specific brand.

These centers have trained professionals familiar with your watch’s inner workings, ensuring high-quality servicing.

If you own a luxury watch, this is the recommended route.

In cases where there is no authorized service center nearby, or your watch is an older model, you can consider independent watchmakers.

It is important to research and choose a reputable watchmaker with experience working on your watch brand.

Some of these independent watchmakers even offer offer online servicing.

For basic maintenance tasks like cleaning and lubrication, you can choose to do it yourself at home with proper tools and instructions.

DIY servicing is only good for budget-friendly automatic watches or if you’re extremely passionate about watch-making.

How Much Does a Watch Service Cost?

The cost of watch servicing can vary depending on the brand, model, and type of watch you own.

Generally, a basic service for a mechanical watch can range from $100 to $300.

More complex watches or luxury brands may cost upwards of $500 or even $1000.

Quartz watches are less expensive to service, usually costing around $50 to $100.

Aside from the type of watch, the watch brand and level of wear on your watch determine the servicing cost.

Rolex Service Cost

As one of the leading luxury watch brands, Rolex servicing can be expensive.

The service cost can vary depending on the type of movement.

Also, Rolex doesn’t have a pre-defined official chart for servicing costs.

Instead, they evaluate each watch individually and provide a quote accordingly.

Simplest movements

• The Explorer: $500 – $700.
• The Submariner: $600 – $800.
• The Oyster Perpetual: $500 – $700.
• The Air-King: $600 – $800.
• The Milgauss: $650 – $850.
• The Cellini Time: $700 – $900.

Regular Movements

• The Datejust: $700 – $900.
• The Submariner Date: $700 – $900.
• The Sea-Dweller: $800 – $1000.
• The Cellini Date: $800 – $1000.

Complicated Movements

As we delve into the realm of more intricate movements, the servicing costs correlate with the complexity of the watch design.

• The GMT-Master II: $800 – $1000.
• The Explorer II: $800 – $1000.
• The Day-Date: $900 – $1100.
• The Cellini Dual Time: $900 – $1100.
• The Sky-Dweller: $1000 – $1200.
• The Cellini Moonphase: $1000 – $1200.
• The Cosmograph Daytona: $1000 – $1300.
• The Yacht-Master II: $1200 – $1500.

Remember, these prices are approximate and can vary based on the condition of the watch and the charges levied by different Rolex service centers. Often, you have to pay shipping, too.

Patek Philippe Service Cost

Patek officially gives service costs for the watches in Swiss Francis (CHF).

Here are these:

Battery change: 130 CHF = 145.60 USD

Quartz (Level 2): 600 CHF = 672 USD

Mechanical, manually wound (Level 2): 900 CHF = 1,008 USD

Mechanical, self-winding (Level 2): 1,000 CHF = 1,120 USD

Complication I (Level 3): 1,300 CHF = 1,456 USD

Complication II (Advanced Level): 1,800 CHF = 2,016 USD

Complication III (Advanced Level): 2,300 CHF = 2,576 USD

For case and bracelet overhauls.

Case or bracelet (separate): 350 CHF = 392 USD

Case and bracelet: 500 CHF = 560 USD

For strap replacement

Alligator leather: 450 CHF = 504 USD

Calfskin: 280 CHF = 313.60 USD

Composite material: 210 CHF = 235.20 USD

Synthetic fabric (satin): 200 CHF = 224 USD

Omega Service Cost

Like Patek, Omega also announces service costs officially.

Here are these

NON-CHRONOGRAPH

Quartz:

NON-PRECIOUS MATERIAL PRICE: 500 CHF = 560 USD

PRECIOUS MATERIAL PRICE: 600 CHF = 672 USD

Mechanical:

NON-PRECIOUS MATERIAL PRICE: 700 CHF = 784 USD

PRECIOUS MATERIAL PRICE: 800 CHF = 896 USD

CHRONOGRAPH:

Quartz:

NON-PRECIOUS MATERIAL PRICE: 600 CHF = 672 USD

PRECIOUS MATERIAL PRICE: 800 CHF = 896 USD

Mechanical:

NON-PRECIOUS MATERIAL PRICE: 900 CHF = 1,008 USD

PRECIOUS MATERIAL PRICE: 1,100 CHF = 1,232 USD

Non-precious materials have the crown made of steel (including plated steel), titanium, and ceramic.

Precious materials have the crown made of silver, gold, platinum, and palladium.

Omega also has a price calculator that would precisely give you a quote based on your watch’s model and required services.

Omega also gives a 24-month warranty for any service performed on your watch by their official customer service centers.

Audemars Piguet Service Cost

Like Omega, AP offers a 2-year warranty backup for their service.

It divides the service into three categories.

Complete Maintenance Service

ROYAL OAK

Quartz: 600 CHF = 672 USD

Selfwinding: 950 CHF = 1,064 USD

Extra-thin: 1,300 CHF = 1,456 USD

Chronograph: 1,700 CHF = 1,904 USD

QP (chrono, QP, EOT): 2,200 CHF = 2,464 USD

CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet

Selfwinding: 950 CHF = 1,064 USD

Chronograph: 1,700 CHF = 1,904 USD

Perpetual Calendar: 2,200 CHF = 2,464 USD

[Re]Master01

Quartz: 500 CHF = 560 USD

Hand-wound: 800 CHF = 896 USD

Selfwinding: 850 CHF = 952 USD

Extra-thin: 1,200 CHF = 1,344 USD

Chronograph: 1,600 CHF = 1,792 USD

QP (chrono, QP, EOT): 2,100 CHF = 2,352 USD

Refinishing Polishing & Satin Finish

ROYAL OAK

Watch case with bracelet and buckle: 450 CHF = 504 USD

Watch case and buckle: 300 CHF = 336 USD

Buckle only: 150 CHF = 168 USD

CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet

Watch case and buckle: 600 CHF = 672 USD

Buckle only: 150 CHF = 168 USD

[Re]Master01

Watch case with bracelet and buckle: 450 CHF = 504 USD

Watch case and buckle: 300 CHF = 336 USD

Buckle only: 150 CHF = 168 USD

Water Resistance and Partial Service

ROYAL OAK

Standard: 450 CHF = 504 USD

Complicated: 900 CHF = 1,008 USD

CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet

Standard: 450 CHF = 504 USD

Complicated: 900 CHF = 1,008 USD

[Re]Master01

Standard: 300 CHF = 336 USD

Complicated: 700 CHF = 784 USD

The AP also gives a complete range of strap replacement prices. Note that these prices will only apply to automatic watches 25 years old and quartz 15 years old.

For older and vintage models, you need to request a custom quote for their service.

Watch Servicing Cost of Other Brands

Almost every brand has its own pricing system.

Here is the estimated cost of service for each brand. But I’ve also linked to each brand’s official service page for a tailored service to your watch model.

Tag Heuer from 220 USD.

Cartier starts from 270 USD.

Vacheron Constantin provides servicing options from 600 USD.

Seiko services start at a more modest 150 USD.

Grand Seiko offers servicing from 400 USD.

Breitling watches service starting from 500 USD.

IWC Schaffhausen services start from 350 USD.

How Long Does a Watch Service Take?

The time it takes for a watch to be serviced can vary depending on the brand, model, and type of service needed.

Generally, most brands have a turnaround time of 4-6 weeks. While some servicing can even take up to six months.

AP, for example, has an average of 6 weeks time for a complete service. Omega also takes 4-6 weeks for servicing.

Rolex has a longer turnaround time, with most services taking 6-8 weeks and more complicated repairs taking up to 12 weeks.

Some brands may offer express or rush services for an additional fee, which can significantly reduce the waiting time.

Wrapping Up

Servicing your watch is essential in maintaining its accuracy and prolonging its lifespan.

While it may seem like a hassle, regular servicing can prevent major issues and save you money in the long run.

Different brands have different pricing and turnaround times for their services. Make sure to choose the official service centers.