longcreative wrote:
Reasonably sure the watch repair shop would not start it if that were the case.

You may wish to reconsider that.
A car engine will start and run for a time after it's drained of engine oil; however, damage will begin almost immediately. At some point the engine will stop and will not run again without a MAJOR overhaul - and it's often then not worth the overhaul expense.
It's not likely your watch will smoke, and bang around as it dies - it will just slowly and silently self destruct. If your watch isn't overhauled, then it's best not to run it if you don't want to destroy it over time.
Desert Hiker