What to Do If Your Watch Is Running Slow?

What to Do If Your Watch Is Running Slow? Main Causes and Solutions

If your watch starts showing the time slower than the actual time, it does not necessarily mean that something is seriously wrong.

The first thing to determine is what type of watch you have: quartz, mechanical, automatic or Solar. The reasons for running slow can differ depending on the type of movement.

It is especially important to understand that a small deviation in accuracy is a natural characteristic of mechanical watches, while quartz watches usually operate with much higher precision.

1. Check How Much Time the Watch Is Losing

Before taking the watch to a watchmaker, compare it with an accurate time source and monitor it for several days.

For example:

• set the watch to the exact time;
• remember or write down the deviation;
• compare it again after a few days.

For mechanical watches, it is better to evaluate accuracy based on the average deviation over several days, rather than judging it from just one day.

If the watch is losing only a small amount of time and the deviation is within the acceptable range for that specific movement, this may be normal.

2. The Mechanical Watch May Not Have Enough Power Reserve

Mechanical and automatic watches receive energy from a wound mainspring.

If the mainspring is not sufficiently wound, the stability of the movement may decrease. This can be especially relevant for automatic watches that have been worn only briefly or when there has not been enough wrist movement.

What to do:

If the model supports manual winding, carefully wind the watch and wear it throughout the day.

Then check its accuracy again over the next few days.

3. The Position of the Watch Can Affect Accuracy

Mechanical watches are sensitive to gravity.

As a result, their rate can vary slightly depending on how they are positioned overnight:

• dial facing up;
• caseback facing up;
• crown facing up or down.

This is a natural characteristic of mechanical watches.

If the watch is only losing a small amount of time, you can try storing it in a different position and observe whether the result changes.

4. Temperature Can Affect Mechanical Watches

Very hot or cold conditions can also affect the accuracy of a mechanical movement.

Metal components inside the watch react to temperature changes, so the rate may vary slightly.

If the watch started running slow after spending a long time in unusually hot or cold conditions, observe its performance again after it returns to a normal temperature.

5. The Watch May Have Become Magnetized

Magnetic fields can affect the operation of mechanical watches.

Possible sources include:

• powerful speakers;
• magnetic clasps;
• accessories with magnets;
• certain electronic devices.

Magnetization can cause a mechanical watch to run fast or slow.

If the watch’s accuracy suddenly changes without an obvious reason, it is worth having the movement checked for magnetization.

If necessary, a watchmaker can demagnetize the movement.

6. The Watch May Have Suffered an Impact

A watch may continue running after a fall or strong impact, but its accuracy can still be affected.

After an impact, the watch may:

• start running slow;
• start running fast;
• run inconsistently;
• stop from time to time.

If the problem appeared immediately after a fall or impact, it is better to have the watch inspected by a watchmaker.

7. What to Do If a Quartz Watch Is Running Slow

Noticeable and consistent time loss is less common with quartz watches than with mechanical watches.

If a quartz watch begins losing a significant amount of time, possible causes include:

• a weak or faulty battery;
• damage after an impact;
• moisture entering the case;
• exposure to a strong magnetic field;
• a malfunction in the movement itself.

If the problem quickly returns after you reset the watch to the correct time, the battery and movement should be checked.

8. If the Watch Is Solar-Powered

Solar watches also use a quartz-based movement, but they receive energy from light and store it in an internal rechargeable battery.

If the charge level becomes too low, some models may enter a warning mode or behave differently from normal.

First:

• expose the watch to sufficient light;
• check the instructions for the specific model;
• then monitor its accuracy again.

If the problem remains, the watch should be inspected.

9. Moisture May Have Entered the Case

If the watch is running slow and you also notice:

• fogging under the crystal;
• water droplets inside the case;
• visible signs of moisture,

you should not continue using the watch as usual.

Water can affect the movement and may eventually damage internal components.

In this situation, it is better to take the watch to a watchmaker as soon as possible.

10. The Movement May Need Servicing

If a mechanical watch has been used for a long time without servicing, its accuracy may gradually change.

Possible causes include:

• the condition of the lubricants;
• contamination inside the movement;
• natural wear of components;
• the effects of impacts;
• magnetization;
• moisture entering the case.

If the watch is losing more and more time or the deviation is significantly outside the expected range for that movement, it should be inspected.

When Should You Definitely Visit a Watchmaker?

It is worth having the watch checked if:

• it suddenly starts losing a significant amount of time;
• the problem appears after an impact;
• moisture appears under the crystal;
• the watch stops regularly;
• a mechanical watch continues to run very slow even after being fully wound;
• a quartz watch still loses time after the battery has been replaced;
• the deviation is significantly outside the normal range for that specific model.

WATCHZ Conclusion

If your watch is running slow, first determine the type of movement and the amount of deviation.

Automatic / Mechanical → check the power reserve and winding level, then monitor the watch for several days.

Quartz → check the battery and whether the movement is operating consistently.

Solar → make sure the watch has received enough charge from light.

If the watch started running slow suddenly, after an impact, after contact with water, or the deviation continues to increase, it is better to take it to a watchmaker.

The main thing is not to consider a mechanical watch faulty because of a few seconds of deviation in a single day. A small variation in accuracy is a natural characteristic of a mechanical movement.