The Breitling Watch Source Forums

How essential is it to keep a mechanical movement running?

Watches built in the last ten years or so, and probably those overhauled in the same period, will have the benefit of the latest lubricant technologies used in their assembly. I've read in various places that....
1) it is essential that mechanical watches are kept running (or at least are not left stopped for long periods) to maintain the lubrication, and
2) that modern luricants do not coagulate the way older lubricants did and so it is not as important as it once was that mechanical movements are kept running.

Is anyone able to give an informed opinion?

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I'm glad you asked this. I've been wondering too.

I've been told by one watch repair center (Breitling - JD Watchworks) not to put a watch on a winder as it will just make the components wear more and need a service sooner, but another (Omega auth repair) said that you should because it keeps everything lubricated and working smoother.

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I guess we're due for this old chestnut again.......

1) Running a watch will cause wear on parts - that's just physics - metal moving against metal will cause wear no matter how microsocopic
2) Not running a watch will cause lubricants to settle in one place rather than be evenly distributed - that's just physics too.

Modern watch lubricants (at least the ones used by quality repairers) are synthetic and are formulated specifically to remain where they are put. That said, there will be some settling if the parts aren't used much - it's why I always recommend that a chrono be run for at least a full 24 hour period in a month.

The main use of heavier weight watch oil is in the mainspring and I really couldn't give two hoots about wear there because the mainsrping will be replaced during a service anyway. Other high friction points are jewelled and there won't be much movement of oil as the jewels are designed to help the oil stay in place against the arbors - storage of a watch for an extended period can certainly cause movement though (especially if the watch is vertical - e.g. on its side).

There will be some wear in the running train, but it's really not significant - the parts will still last through 3, 4, more services and only cost a few bucks to replace so again - who really cares. Also remember that because the oil is designed to be relatively stable it will only take a few rotations of the running train elements to get the parts lubricated again - the higher wear will be on the faster moving parts and they will be the first to be relubricated.

The service intervals in modern watches is usually determined by the oils breaking down and no longer being able to do their job, and that's got nothing to do with running it or not - it's just caused by time. You'll cause a lot more wear to the movement by running a watch beyond it's service interval than you ever will by worrying about whether to keep it running or not.

That's why they pay Roff the big bucks

Thanks Roff, most enlightening.

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Emergency + Co-Pilot
Navitimer Heritage
Chronomat Evolution
SuperOcean Heritage 46
Avenger Seawolf Ti
Colt 2 Automatic