Watches are prized possessions. The wristwatch, remarkably, has changed its status from a fashion item to a status symbol. Mobile phones have been challenging people to avoid watches and check the time on the phones, but people are still diehard fans of watches.
But, even the best watches can lose time. Having such a watch can be frustrating because you will lose track of your day. It might seem mysterious that a watch can lose time, but it is not uncommon, and there is a slew of reasons why they lose time.
Nobody likes running late, so if your watch is losing time, it is time to find out why. Below are some of the reasons why your watch could be losing time every second.
It Needs a New Battery
Most watches run on battery, and no battery is known to last forever. If you have had your wristwatch for a while and have not changed the batteries in a minute, maybe that is why it is losing time. A watch with a worn-out battery will lose time. It would be best if you swapped the old battery for a new one.
Luckily, most watch batteries can last long up to four years. This means it will take you a while before you replace them. If you change your watch’s battery every month, you should take your watch to a jeweler. Watch batteries should not last for such a short period.
You Store it Wrongly
Storing your watch the wrong way keeps it unsafe, and it will not tick away as required. Watches should be stored in a setting with a controlled temperature, like a home safe or deposit box. If you transfer it to cold or hot temperatures, its inside parts will contract or expand. If you plan to go to extreme temperatures, ensure your watch has proper servicing, and the gaskets are tight enough.
Storing a watch in extreme cold or heat could cause damage to the gaskets and movements. A quick transfer from cold to hot temperatures will also cause the internal parts to contract and expand. If the inside parts contract or expand, the lead will enter the movement and dial, damaging your watch.
Water vapor will also enter the movement and dial, causing a loss of time or further damage. Heat will dry the lubricant out, and this will create friction in the gears. As a result, your watch will lose time.
It Needs to be Cleaned
The most common mineral used in making watches is quartz. Quartz has a specific frequency standard that helps in regulating the movement of the hands. Also, manufacturers use quartz for watches because it is familiar and easy to get. This leads to low manufacturing costs hence affordable for consumers to buy.
If you have a quartz watch and realize it is losing time, you should take it for oiling or cleaning. Look keenly on your watch and identify if the minute hand first moves back before moving forward. If so, your watch may be losing time because the watch’s gears are worn or are slipping. This could also be the reason why your mechanical watch is losing time.
Winding the Watch When Wearing
It is both convenient and easy to set or wind the time of your watch when it is on your wrist. But, by doing this when it is on your wrist, you are harming it. Winding the watch whilst wearing it could lead to the crown being pulled. You could also overwind the watch leading to a loss of time.
You could also cause stress on the movement of the watch because the angle you are moving it in is wrong. You should remove the watch if you want to wind or set it. This will allow you to feel the resistance and use the right angle to pull the crown.
Dropping it
One of the most common and easiest reasons your watch is losing time is because you dropped it. It does not matter whether it was a greater height or a short drop. While greater heights could lead to further damage other than losing time, the landing surface and how the watch falls also determine the extent of the damage. Slamming your watch against any hard surface will make it lose time. It could also lose time when you are wearing it, and it collides with a hard surface.
To prevent your watch from dropping, remove it carefully from your wrist and store it away from the edges. If you want to run into hard surfaces or walls, it would be best if you considered taking it off first.
It is Near a Magnetic Object
Watches are adversely affected by magnetic objects. It would be best if you did not leave your watch near magnetic objects for long periods. Magnetic objects here include jewelry with magnetic clasps, wireless headphones, coffee machines, speakers, televisions, or even phones. It is incredible how many magnetic objects our homes have.
If your watch is influenced by magnetism, the individual coils will stick together. Coils that are stuck together will shorten the spring hence speeding up the watch. If you realize your watch has been affected by magnetism, talk to a watch specialist.
Cross Threading the Crown
Pulling the crown at the wrong angle is known to damage it, but threading it back wrongly could also damage the crown. Some watches do not have a screw-down crown but if yours has, be keen when closing it. Threading it back wrongly will make it jammed hence a loss in time.
If the crown of your watch is also out of alignment, water can get into the dial and movement, and we all know what water does to watches. To avoid jamming and cross-threading the crown, take your time as you screw it back in. Please do not force it.
A crown is likely to rotate a maximum of three times. Do not screw the crown too tightly because doing so would also make it impossible to screw.
Your Watch is Losing Time Because…
In a world where time means money, having a watch that loses time is a big blow. You should find out why your watch is losing time so that you can get the correct remedy. Your watch might be losing time because it needs a battery swap, it needs to be oiled or cleaned, and because you might have dropped it, among other reasons.