Is there any reason to service a watch that runs fine?

[mewherman]

I have a couple antique american watches that I've gotten that I never serviced because they run perfectly fine on the timegrapher and so since there is always a risk or worsening the watch when taking it apart I've done nothing to them. My question would be, isthis deleterious to the movement, is there some reason for service beyond performance? Or is the fact that these watches (one of which is over 100 years old) operate fine evidence that they do not need service.

Edited March 13 by mewherman
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[RichardHarris123]

Yes, a service is always a good idea.  Even if running well, the lubricants may be dryed up or evaporated, causing wear to the various components. 

[watchweasol]

Hi. Would you apply the same logic to your car?  Dirt ingression dried up oil Deteriorated  oil all good reasons to dismantle and clean a watch.

[JohnR725]

On 3/13/2024 at 9:04 AM, mewherman said:

I have a couple antique american watches that I've gotten that I never serviced because they run perfectly fine on the timegrapher and so since there is always a risk or worsening the watch when taking it apart I've done nothing to them. My question would be, isthis deleterious to the movement, is there some reason for service beyond performance? Or is the fact that these watches (one of which is over 100 years old) operate fine evidence that they do not need service.

there is some other things that you didn't say like how often do you run these watches? For instance if you only bring about once or twice a year to wear them and then put them back someplace safe then I really wouldn't worry about it. but if you're running them every single day then I would think about servicing them. The timing machine doesn't show everything that's happening in the watch. Like all of the metal on metal let's rubbing for instance the keyless parts the winding and setting components you won't know you're having a problem until you have a problem and then it may be to late as things disintegrate.

 

 

[Nucejoe]

More arguable question  can be asked about unused NOS watches.

I have a few such pieces in my collection, so far been just winding them to run about 10 minutes, sometimes once a year or longer.