Watch Care | Marcolino

Why I should do a periodical water tightness test?

The tightness of a watch is not a permanent condition. We recommend carrying out an annual leak test and/or before exposing it for prolonged or frequent periods to immersion in water or even environments with a high load of particles/dust.

In this specific service, the watchmaker opens the watch and takes the movement out of the case, washes the case and strap (if metallic) in a suitable liquid substance, replaces all seals, as well as the spring, handles of the strap and the battery if it's a quartz watch. Refit the movement and carry out the various tightness tests, depending on the characteristics of the watch.

When should I do maintenance?

We recommend a maintenance service every two years, when the leak test fails or when there is a malfunction and it is not justified to carry out a complete service.

In this type of service, the watchmaker opens the watch, completely disassembles the case (bezel, glass, crown, chronograph buttons or others) and proceeds to clean all the components of the case and bracelet (if metallic) with a machine. ultrasound. If the customer chooses the polishing option: before cleaning, a specialized technician will carry out all operations of the various types of polishing the case and bracelet (if metallic) with sophisticated machines. The watchmaker reassembles the box, replacing all the seals and proceeds with fixing or gluing the glass; then carry out the tightness tests, depending on the characteristics of the watch.

If it is a quartz watch, the battery is replaced. If it is a mechanical watch, the watchmaker cleans and lubricates the exhaust and balance; performs a precision test to the movement and, if necessary, adjusts it. Then, the watchmaker refits the movement and performs the tightness tests again, depending on the characteristics of the watch, and ends up with a control where the watch is tested for at least 48 hours in various positions (usually five).

Finally, the watchmaker replaces the spring handles and mounts the strap/strap (which may or may not be replaced depending on deterioration and budget) before carrying out a final aesthetic check on the watch.

When should I do a full service?

All precision mechanisms need maintenance after a certain amount of time. The frequency of the review depends on the models and mechanisms, on the conditions of use and also on the climate to which they are subject. As a general rule, a watch needs to be fully serviced every 3 to 6 years.

In this service, the watchmaker opens the watch, completely disassembles the case (bezel, glass, crown, chronograph buttons or others) and proceeds with cleaning all the components of the case and bracelet (if metallic) with an ultrasound machine . If the customer chooses the polishing option: before cleaning, a specialized technician will carry out all operations of the various types of polishing the case and bracelet (if metallic) with sophisticated machines.

Like the case, the movement is completely dismantled and the components are all washed in ultrasonic machines. The watchmaker replaces all worn components in accordance with the budget; then reassemble the movement and lubricate it. The movement is regulated then tested for several days. During this time and after the eventual polishing work, the watchmaker reassembles the box, replacing all the seals and proceeds to fix or glue the glass; then it performs the tightness tests, depending on the watch's characteristics.

Only when the performance of the movement is within the parameters of reliability does the watchmaker refit the movement; then it performs the tightness tests again, depending on the characteristics of the watch and ends up with a control where the watch is tested for at least 48 hours in various positions (usually five).

Finally, the watchmaker replaces the spring handles and mounts the strap/strap (which may or may not be replaced depending on deterioration and budget) before carrying out a final aesthetic check on the watch.