Many quartz watch owners find themselves wondering if their quartz watch can be repaired, and the answer is a resounding yes! If you find that your quartz watch is malfunctioning, you’ll be glad to know that it can easily be repaired by the right technician.
Generally, quartz watches are cheaper and simpler to repair than their mechanical counterparts. With that said, it does depend on the watch’s maker—an Omega watch repair will almost always cost more than a Braun watch repair.
There are several telltale signs that your quartz watch needs to be taken in for repair. You should be on the lookout for these signs, because taking it in sooner rather than later can prevent more damage to your watch and save you money in repairs. Here, we’ll share the common signs of damage, describe the repair process, and explain how to prevent common issues and keep your quartz watch running smoothly.
Common Quartz Watch Issues
- Moisture inside the crystal: Water can cause corrosion or rust to form on the interior parts, which makes for a very costly repair. If the damage is too extensive, several parts may need to be replaced, so it’s important to find a watch repair company that’s willing to hunt for replacement parts.
- Dirt is embedded in the movement: If the sealings in your watch have slightly come apart, dust or lint can get into the movement and cause friction and pressure between the gears. This can cause you to hear a rattling sound or notice that your watch isn’t keeping time properly.
- Battery needs to be replaced: A dead battery can leach battery acid into the movement of the watch, which corrodes the parts and, again, makes for an expensive repair. Your quartz watch will need a battery replacement every 1–3 years. A good indication that you’re due for a battery replacement is if you notice that your watch is gaining or losing time.
- Mechanical issue: A number of things can go wrong with the inner workings of your watch. The crystal can break or become off-balance if the watch is dropped, the coil can break and cause the motor to lose power, the lubricants can dry up and cause the motor to stop—and the list goes on. All of these issues can be fixed with a quick trip to a watch repair shop.
The Repair Process
When you take your quartz watch in for repair, you can expect a quote of the cost for the repair. Again, you should be pleased to know that quartz watch repairs are almost always cheaper than repairs for mechanical or automatic watches.
First, your quartz watch will be tested to determine any and all issues. Any damaged parts will be removed and repaired or replaced. The functionality of everything from the gears and motor to the battery and watch hands will be tested. Anything that isn’t working properly or is out of alignment will be fixed. Once all the internal mechanics are repaired, the watch will be put back together and pressure tested to ensure that there are no unsealed parts (this is how your watch repair technician will prevent moisture and dirt from getting into the watch again). Last, your quartz watch will be thoroughly cleaned to bring back its shine.
Preventative Maintenance
Even though it’s very possible and generally inexpensive to repair quartz watches, there are many things you can do to minimize the need to take your watch in for a repair.
- Have the battery replaced regularly: We recommend having your watch battery replaced every 1–3 years by a qualified watch repair shop. Replacing the battery might seem like something you can do yourself, but even aside from all the tools you’d need to purchase, the risk of damaging any of the delicate mechanical parts makes this a job for a professional watch repair technician.
- Service your watch regularly: Even the most careful quartz watch owners will still experience some wear and tear on their watches over the years. For this reason, we recommend taking your watch in for a full service every 5 years or so. Doing this will ensure that your watch and all its components are working perfectly, and you shouldn’t have any drastic or unexpected problems with your quartz watch.
- Pressure test your watch: This should be done during a full servicing of your watch, but if you’re planning on taking your watch diving or somewhere else where there’s a chance of moisture or dirt getting into your watch, it’s a good idea to get it professionally pressure tested. This will reveal any unsealed parts of your watch and allow the watch repair technician to seal them back up so that nothing foreign gets inside your watch and causes damage.
The complexities of a watch’s movement mean that any number of things can go wrong with your quartz watch. Luckily, a qualified watch repair technician should have no problem repairing any and all damages to your quartz watch.
