This is such a frequently asked question and while many people are conflicted with question, the short answer is YES. We suggest servicing every three to five years, depending on the watch and frequency or wear. When worn infrequently, it's important to wind and run the watch at least once a month to keep the movement's parts lubricated. As I always tell people, when you get home from work, do you leave your car running and go in your house and come back the next morning and drive to work? NO. Your turn OFF your car and go inside!
A watch runs 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. At some point, you will need to clean the movement and lubricate, change gaskets and perhaps, worn out components. Even with all the advanced technology in horology today, still needs to be done.
Now comes the interesting part of servicing a watch! When I say service, I mean overhaul the movement, NOT polishing the case and bracelet into smithereens, as I have seen throughout my career, or changing dials because they have discolored, or hands because the lume is gone. NOOOO. I mean, clean the movement and give it back to me! Unless the client is asking for the watch to be polished, or dial swap or hands, or anything else, DO NOT DO IT! As I always say, a jeweler is not a watchmaker so make sure you take your timepiece to the correct pro for your service. If you have any questions or need some advice, reach to me and I will be happy to point you in the right direction.