Have you ever wondered what makes a mechanical watch tick so precisely and smoothly? The secret lies in the watch oil. Similar to your car’s engine needing oil to protect internal moving parts, your watch needs oil for the same reasons. Oils help to reduce friction by creating a barrier that cushions the microscopic imperfections between two objects. Without the proper application of watch oil, your watch may not function correctly, and its parts could potentially suffer from premature wear and tear. If you want to keep your watch running smoothly and accurately for years to come, understanding the importance of watch oil is crucial.
Watch Oils
A Guide to Choosing the Right Viscosity
There are multiple oils with different viscosity ranges available on the market for car engines. Similarly, watches require different oils and lubricants for their moving parts. The most common oils used at My Jewelry Repair are the Moebius Brand: HP 1300, 9010, and 9415. The difference between these oils comes down to viscosity and application. During the clean and overhaul process, the heavier 1300 may be used to oil the gear train jewels, while the lighter 9010 is recommended for balance staff lubrication and 9415 is used to lubricate the more critical components of the escapement. Without the proper lubrication, excess friction will cause severe damage, which will result in a costly replacement of internal moving parts.
How Often Should You Oil Your Mechanical Watch or Quartz Movement?
Depending on the manufacturer guidelines of your watch, you can expect to have your mechanical watch serviced every 3 to 5 years. If your watch is a quartz, oil is also used to lubricate moving parts. However, clean and overhaul services are not performed as frequently due to the cost-effectiveness of movement replacements.
If your quartz movement is vintage and/or has been discontinued, cleaning and overhaul may be required to restore function. Similar to servicing your vehicle, your watch will be oiled as part of a clean, overhaul, and adjustment service.
The Evolution of Watch and Automotive Oils: From Organic Materials to Synthetic Formulas
In the early days of timekeeping, watchmakers sourced oils from organic materials like plants and animals. Oil manufacturers now have the technology to produce synthetic oils to meet the needs of watch and automotive manufacturers. For example, Fomblin grease is used to lubricate gaskets and is common in both the watchmaking and automotive industries. It can be used in extreme temperatures ranging from -30 to 150 C (-22 to 302 F). You would use this on parts subject to friction when mineral and standard synthetic lubricants break down. This is mainly due to temperature changes and exposure to air. If you plan on climbing Mount Everest or deep diving into the cold ocean, the oils in your watch will most likely have a thinner consistency to accommodate for the colder temperatures.
Updated 6/17/23
My Jewelry Repair
Premier Watch Repair Services
When your watch needs quality care and repair, we are here to provide it. With our online mail-in service, you can have your timepiece serviced by certified watchmakers in elite environments. You can send in your watch from anywhere in the country without leaving the house. To learn more about our watch repair services, visit our Watch Repair Services page.
Certified Watchmakers
Our team of Experienced Watchmakers has many Certifications, including:
WOSTEP
CW21
SAWTA
SWATCH Group
“Heirloom restored”
“Thank you! Magnificent work by your craftspeople. I will recommend you to anyone desiring the best in work. All the best for the coming year!
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“Thank you! Magnificent work by your craftspeople. I will recommend you to anyone desiring the best in work.
All the best for the coming year!
Rod Thomas”
“Fantastic service. Explained the process and what was needed and why. Received watch back before estimated time too. ThankRead more ““Fantastic Service””
Ken C.
“Peace of Mind”
“Excellent advice, service and craftsmanship. My wedding ring looks amazing and the diamond is secure again! ThankRead more ““Peace of Mind””
Deb Giannaris
“Like New!!!”
“The service you provided was amazing,when my watch came back it was just like new.I will let everyone know about the service youRead more ““Like New!!!””
Tyrone R
“Glad that I found you”
“I very much appreciated the opportunity to find you and for the efficient and reasonable turn-around of getting the broken crystal on my watch repaired.
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“I very much appreciated the opportunity to find you and for the efficient and reasonable turn-around of getting the broken crystal on my watch repaired. Glad that I found you. Who knows for what service or product I may next call upon MyJewelryRepair.”
San Francisco, CA
“The nib on my Mont Blanc was bent after I dropped it on the floor. I sent it My Jewelry Repair. Shortly after it was
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“The nib on my Mont Blanc was bent after I dropped it on the floor. I sent it My Jewelry Repair. Shortly after it was repaired and returned, it started leaking ink. I returned it was told it would cost $85 to repair. I protested, saying that it didn’t leak when it was under my control and that had it been leaking, I would have mentioned it. After looking it over, a My Jewelry Repair craftsman concurred and the pen was repaired for no extra charge. That, to me, is great customer service. I have no financial interest in MJR, do not know anyone affiliated with the company, nor have I been remunerated for this review. I just like to compliment excellent customer service when I experience it.”
“Sent a Lorus mickey mouse pocket watch purchased at Disneyworld in 1988. Meant a great deal to me because it was our honeymoon. Watch was
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“Sent a Lorus mickey mouse pocket watch purchased at Disneyworld in 1988. Meant a great deal to me because it was our honeymoon. Watch
was perfect for 34 years and then stopped working.
Sent to MJR. It was repaired promptly and returned. Happy man! Thanks”
“The repair was fantastic! Looks beautiful, retired to better than new condition. Cost was extremely reasonable. Be patient, whole process took a little over 60
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“The repair was fantastic! Looks beautiful, retired to better than new condition. Cost was extremely reasonable. Be patient, whole process took a little over 60 days. Customer service was very responsive to my inquiries. Process for sending item and returning was easy and secure. We are very happy customers.”
“I sent in a ring to be resized–my estimate also suggested a stone resetting. I hadn’t planned on repairing the stone, and settled for just
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“I sent in a ring to be resized–my estimate also suggested a stone resetting. I hadn’t planned on repairing the stone, and settled for just the resizing. After accepting the repair, I had issues with my credit card going through on the website…we went back and forth with them bank and customer service team (for days) but when I was starting to feel hopeless about getting it resolved (and playing phone tag) I was informed my ring had already been shipped out free of charge, resized, and with a stone reset!
The customer service team is amazing despite being a mostly online service center. if you ever need anything resolved, ask for Eboni. she works wonders. thank you thank you thank you!”
Turtle Lake, ND