Watch Repair Procedure
Watch repair is the equivalent of micro mechanical surgery. The "surgeon" is a technician who success is measured in many years of hard earned training and experience. It is hard for many to concieve there is up to hundred parts in this mechanical marvel. It's heart, a balance wheel, oscillates over one million times a year. Some of the screws are nearly insivible to the unaided human eye. Each part must perform in concert with it's neighbor or the watch will run erratically to stop.
We pride ourselves in performing watch service to factory specifications. Here is an expample of what is involved with a Rolex service:
Disassemble & Inspection:
The watch band, and clasp are initially inspected for external signs of damage, excessive wear or other visible problems.
The case is opened and inspected for visible damage or wear.
The movement is removed from the case, disassembled for cleaning, and all parts are inspected as they are removed: gears, jewels, pinions, etc.
Cleaning:
All parts of the movement, case, and band are put through a seperate multi-step proprietary cleaning process to remove all oils, corrosion, metal, dust, or other contaminants.
Main Spring:
As parts of the movement are reassembled, a new mainspring is installed to insure proper operation of the watch.
Oiling:
During the assembly, the primany pivot points and jewels of the movement are oiled by Rolex recommended lubricants.
Battery:
If the movement is a Rolex Quartz, a new battery is installed.
Initial Regulation:
The movement is regulated, meaning it's timing is measured using a very accurate horological time instrument.
Case & Band Cleaning:
After further inspection of the opened case, band, and clasp for wear, both are cleaned chemically and ultrasonically. The watch case and band are painstakenly refinished by machine and hand polishing to remove nicks and scratches. Rolex watches have three distinct factory finishes. They are high polished, satin and brushed finishes. Our watch technicians strive to reproduce the factory finishes.
Case Tube:
A new case tube and gasket is installed.
Spring Bars:
New spring bars are installed if needed.
Crystal:
A new crystal is installed in the case.
Reassembly:
The movement, case, and band are reassembled.
Gaskets:
A complete set of new gaskets are installed for the case back, crown, and are installed.
Final Regulation:
The assembled watch is subject to final timing and pressure tests to insure that the accuracy are as close to factory tolerances. The watch is tested in our Bergeron water testing chamber, depending on the age and condition of the watch.