Common Reasons Why a Watch Stopped Working
Have you ever wondered why your automatic watch suddenly stopped? It probably terrifies you to see your watch stopped ticking, but this one is a common issue faced by watchmakers.
Often, customers complain that their watches suddenly stopped when it is correctly working for hours. Also, there are times that incorrect time is displayed on the dial in the morning because it stopped last night.
While this kind of scenario is not new to watch repairers, it is still vital to understand why this happens and what are the possible causes. This article will explain the possible reasons why your automatic watch stopped working.
ASSESSING THE WATCH
If you think that your automatic watch stopped, check the timepiece first since it might just be experiencing a temporary halt due to inactivity. You can gently swing it off and see if it will function again.
Also, you can try winding the watch for a few times to check if it works again. In other words, assess the watch and try basic troubleshooting steps. On the other hand, if it is a quartz watch, then the problem may be the battery.
However, if after the assessment, the watch still won’t work, then here are some reasons for the problem.
• Loose Screw
Having a loose screw is one possible reason why your watch stopped functioning. The loosened screw is probably blocking the internal mechanism of the timepiece and it causes the movement to halt.
This is a common issue because even regular hand and wrist motion can cause a screw to get loose. If you suspect that this maybe the case, seek help from an authorized watch repairman and have your timepiece checked.
Your watch also tends to get loose screws if you are always playing rigorous sports such as golf.
• Broken Mainspring
The mainspring is an essential part of any timepiece. It is likely common to have 90% of the spring torn because the material is either exposed to natural aging factors or has too much clamping pressure.
Automatic watches have their mechanism to prevent the rotor from over-tightening. An old timepiece’s tendency to reach its maximum tension is high. If this happens, the spring will break and may cause permanent damage to your watch if left unattended.
• Incorrect Winding Process
This is associated with a defective winding mechanism, which could have something to do with the impact at the rotor. When winding a watch, it is always important not to overwind it to avoid damaging the rotor. Otherwise, over-winding it poses a risk to damage your timepiece.
• Blocked Dirt on the Movement
Every timepiece needs to have a maintenance check-up at least after the certain number of years. Dirt and dust blockages are most likely to happen if the watch hasn’t been serviced.
To prevent this, make it a habit to have your watch checked and cleaned by a professional repairman. At least, you can prevent dust build-up, which can eventually damage the rotor of the watch.
Watches are machines too. A watch can experience wear and tear, but if left unnoticed, it can further damage the rotor and cause permanent malfunction to the timepiece.
Hence, if your watch suddenly stopped in the middle of the day, check some possible reasons that might be causing the problem using this guide.