Many of us wear one that our grandfather used to wear. Or it was your grandmother's? Or it belonged to a favorite aunt who once kept her schedule by the hands of this heirloom. Passing down watches from generation to generation is a common practice. Sometimes the watches are valuable, in other instances their value is purely sentimental, but in either case the watch can be a family treasure that will continue to spread joy to its bearer. However, like all mechanical things a watch can break down, and when it does you are left with two options: leave the watch in a drawer collecting dust, or take it to someone who specializes in watch repair in order to bring it back to life.

If you have a watch that needs repair – and it does not have to be a watch of sentimental value – then the first thing you need to do is decide if the watch is worth the cost of the repairs. Depending on the age of the watch, and the availability of replacement parts, watch repair can cost as little as a few dollars and as much as hundreds. Once you assess the cost and benefit of proceeding with repairs, next you need to determine if your watch is truly repairable.

Believe it or not, older watches are more easily repaired than watches that are much newer. Old watches relied on mechanical movements in order to keep track of time, and although the intricate, tiny gears may be difficult and expensive to repair, at the very least they are possible to repair at a reasonable cost. More modern watches with quartz movements or watches that were inexpensive – even when initially purchased – are simply not worth the time and money needed for repairs.

If you need to find someone who is competent in watch repair then it is best to arm yourself with some information that will help you make the best decision. When you are looking for a watchmaker to do watch repair make sure they are familiar with the type of watch you own, and also be certain that they are willing to work on your watch before you make a trip to see them, or mail your watch to them.

Other important questions to ask are: Is a free estimate provided? Will the watchmaker guarantee the work for a length of time after the work is done? How long will the work take? Will the watchmaker fully disassemble the watch and clean it as part of the watch repair?

Remember, the best watchmaker may not be the one who lives close to you. A distant watchmaker is only a post office away. Protect yourself by finding qualified watchmakers; the American Watchmaker-Clockmaker Institute (AWI) can help. Before taking – or mailing – your watch to any watchmaker, be sure to document its condition and serial numbers through photographs so that you can protect your investment as well as settle any possible disputes about the nature of the work.

Lastly, you can prevent the need for watch repair by having regular maintenance performed on your watch. Just like a car, a regular tune up, cleaning, and oiling, will keep your watch running well and help you avoid the need for watch repair.