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
“Super-fast service”
“My swiss Elgin watch is 40 + years old and it had never been serviced. I recently took it out of the drawer and started
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“My swiss Elgin watch is 40 + years old and it had never been serviced. I recently took it out of the drawer and started wearing it and after a few days realized that it was not self-winding. Sent it to MJR and explained that it probably just needed serviced. It had only been gone from my house about 18 days total and today it is back in my hands working like new again. The 18 days includes my shipping time and their shipping time to return it plus their time to repair it. All in all that is super-fast! Very happy with MJR service and will always use them from now on. Thanks a million!”
“Searched All Over Russia/Ukraine for the Parts Needed”
“I do understand that this was harder project given that it’s a vintage Russian movement, but I can’t tell you enough how much it meant
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“I do understand that this was harder project given that it’s a vintage Russian movement, but I can’t tell you enough how much it meant that you searched all over Russia/Ukraine for the parts needed to complete the work. The watch is running absolutely amazing and can’t believe how good it is running. It’s truly a centerpiece to my vintage watch collection and I absolutely love it. Thanks again for all the hard work and time you put into it and that’s what prompted this message. I do believe in acknowledging hard work and this is truly wonderful. Thank you again and keep up the good work.”
“I was not expecting anything exceptional from a mail-in service, but I was wrong! Our ring was repaired exactly as we needed. But the communication
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“I was not expecting anything exceptional from a mail-in service, but I was wrong! Our ring was repaired exactly as we needed. But the communication was what surprised and impressed me most. Our Sears had left town, so I called MyJewelryRepair directly to find out what to do. The lady sent me an email and told me how to send our ring. Her email included not only the link to the service site, but also detailed instructions about how to fill out the online form. It was very easy to follow her instructions on the site. Once I filled out the online form and printed the shipping label, I received a confirmation email. I also received email communications when my ring arrived, a couple of days later telling me it was being evaluated, a couple of days later telling me what work was being done, and a couple of days later when the work was completed (including before and after pictures)! Wow! It was as good as taking it to a local jeweler where I could check on it in person. And the work was quality–the ring looks great.”
FL
“I sent in an at least 80 year old diamond art deco heirloom ring that needed 12 channels/prongs rebuilt and a resizing. The master jewelers
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“I sent in an at least 80 year old diamond art deco heirloom ring that needed 12 channels/prongs rebuilt and a resizing. The master jewelers restored this ring to like-new, it is JUST stunning the kind magic they work. You can completely trust this company from beginning to end– this is the 2nd item they have repaired for me– nothing I have had done locally even comes close to their meticulous craftmanship. THANK you master jewelers! You are true experts and I love you all!!”
“Excellent advice, service and craftsmanship. My wedding ring looks amazing and the diamond is secure again! Thank you!”
Deb Giannaris
“I’m very happy with the watch repair.”
“My wife’s watch was not working for years. It was sitting in my desk. I searched the internet and found My Jewelry Repair. They looked
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“My wife’s watch was not working for years. It was sitting in my desk. I searched the internet and found My Jewelry Repair. They looked the watch over and gave me an estimate. I agreed and they made the repairs. The watch arrived and was packaged in a new nice box. The watch was also polished and it’s working fine.”
“I was a bit nervous sending my high school class ring, which is a star or a flower depending on perspective, in the mail to
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“I was a bit nervous sending my high school class ring, which is a star or a flower depending on perspective, in the mail to get repaired. The communication was phenomenal, and my jewelry came back to me looking brand new. I’ll definitely come back in the future. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. Recently I sent you my Bulova watch for cleaning and overhaul. I was unable to find any jeweler in
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“Thank you, thank you, thank you. Recently I sent you my Bulova watch for cleaning and overhaul. I was unable to find any jeweler in my immediate area, the Little Rock, AR area or the Memphis, TN area to do the work. I found you online and with some hesitation and apprehension, sent you my watch. You did acknowledge receipt and did provide an analysis of necessary repairs. I did call a couple of times and was a little concerned that repairs would require more time than I thought and that parts needed to be ordered. My apprehension grew. You had my watch and my payment. Then you notified me that my watch had shipped and when it arrived a couple of days ago I could not have been more impressed with your packaging and more so with the results. My watch looks better than new and now is keeping perfect time. I am absolutely satisfied with your work and will without hesitation recommend MyJewelryRepair to any and everyone that may need your services. You deserve the highest rating for a job well done!”
Edgemont, AR
“I had my grandfather‘s old Pilsar courts watch fixed there was a numeral missing on the face. My jewelry repair did an awesome job I
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“I had my grandfather‘s old Pilsar courts watch fixed there was a numeral missing on the face. My jewelry repair did an awesome job I know it’s not the most expensive piece to come across the table but the fact that they were going to help me was bar none!”
