How to Get a Watch to Start Ticking Again: Clean, Lubricate, Replace Battery, Check Crown & Adjust Balance Wheel

Introduction

A ticking watch is a sign of its good health, but when a watch stops ticking, it can be a sign of trouble. How do you get a watch to start ticking again? The answer depends on what is causing the issue. It could be an issue with the watch movement, battery, crown or balance wheel that needs to be addressed. In this article, we’ll explore each of these steps in detail so you can get your watch ticking again in no time.

Clean and Lubricate the Watch Movement

The first step in getting your watch ticking again is to clean and lubricate the movement. This is best done by a professional watchmaker, but if you have the right tools, you can do it yourself. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Watch oil
• Cleaning cloth
• Tweezers
• Soft brush
• Magnifying glass

Once you have all the necessary tools, follow these steps for cleaning and lubricating the watch movement:

1. Remove the case back from the watch and set aside.
2. Using the tweezers, carefully remove any dirt or debris from the movement.
3. Using the soft brush, gently brush away any dust or dirt from the movement.
4. Using the magnifying glass, inspect the movement for any signs of wear or damage.
5. Using the cleaning cloth, gently wipe away any excess dirt or dust from the movement.
6. Using the tweezers, apply a few drops of watch oil to the appropriate areas of the movement.
7. Replace the case back and screw it into place.

Now that the movement has been cleaned and lubricated, it’s time to move onto the next step.

Replace the Watch Battery

If the watch won’t start ticking after cleaning and lubricating the movement, the next step is to replace the battery. To identify the correct battery type, consult your watch’s user manual or look up the model number online. Once you have the correct battery type, follow these steps for replacing it:

1. Remove the case back from the watch and set aside.
2. Using the tweezers, carefully remove the old battery from the movement.
3. Using the tweezers, carefully insert the new battery into the movement.
4. Replace the case back and screw it into place.

Now that the new battery has been installed, it’s time to move onto the next step.

Check the Watch Crown

The watch crown is the small knob on the side of the watch that is used to set the time and date. If the watch won’t start ticking after replacing the battery, the next step is to check the watch crown. Signs of damage or wear include cracks, chips and rust. If the watch crown is damaged or worn, it will need to be replaced. But if it looks to be in good condition, then it may just need to be adjusted. To adjust the watch crown, follow these steps:

1. Remove the case back from the watch and set aside.
2. Using the tweezers, carefully turn the watch crown clockwise until it clicks into place.
3. Replace the case back and screw it into place.

Now that the watch crown has been checked and adjusted, it’s time to move onto the next step.

Adjust the Watch Balance Wheel

The watch balance wheel regulates the speed of the watch’s movement. If the watch won’t start ticking after adjusting the watch crown, then the next step is to adjust the watch balance wheel. To do this, you’ll need to examine the balance wheel for signs of wear or damage. If there are no signs of damage, then you can make adjustments to the balance wheel. To make adjustments, follow these steps:

1. Remove the case back from the watch and set aside.
2. Using the tweezers, carefully turn the watch balance wheel clockwise until it clicks into place.
3. Replace the case back and screw it into place.

Now that the watch balance wheel has been adjusted, it’s time to move onto the next step.

Wind the Watch Manually

The final step in getting your watch to start ticking again is to wind it manually. There are two types of manual winding watches: stem-wind and key-wind. For stem-wind watches, turn the crown clockwise until it clicks into place. For key-wind watches, insert the key into the winding hole and turn clockwise until it clicks into place. Once the watch has been wound, it should start ticking again.

Conclusion

Getting a watch to start ticking again is a complex process that requires patience and attention to detail. The steps outlined above—cleaning and lubricating the movement, replacing the battery, checking the crown and adjusting the balance wheel—should get your watch ticking again in no time. If you’re still having trouble, contact a professional watchmaker for help.

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