SERVICE AND REPAIR
IWC’s declaration of quality manifested in its hallmark “Probus Scafusia” - “good, solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen” - is a firm commitment to manufacture precision measuring instruments that retain their value and have a long life expectancy. Our experienced watchmakers service every timepiece in compliance with strict quality standards. To ensure that your IWC watch provides excellent service for many years, we recommend regular maintenance. We recommend that your watch should undergo a maintenance service every two years and a complete service every five years.
If your IWC watch needs service, repair, or restoration, we are here to make that process as convenient for you as possible. You can find your closest boutique or authorized retailer with our store locator . Alternatively, you may contact our Concierge (1-800-432-9330) for instructions on how to send your watch directly to our service center.
Maintenance Service
A maintenance service includes eight essential service steps, and is recommended every two years in order to maintain the proper functionality and timekeeping of your timepiece. Once undertaken, you can be sure that all functions are working properly again.
Understanding the steps
01
Registration. Demagnetization
02
Diagnosis
03
Case dismantling.
04
Ultrasonic cleaning of case components and metal bracelet.
05
Reassembling of the watch with new seals to assure water resistance.
06
07
08
-
MOVEMENT
- Removal of movement from the case
- Examination of the movement, including a measurement of the rate and amplitude
- Demagnetisation of mechanical movements
- Cleaning and lubrication of escapement and balance
- Testing/setting of escapement
- Replacement of battery (for quartz movements)
- Testing of all functions (basic movement and possibly additional mechanisms such as the chronograph, etc.)
- Adjustment of movement to comply with IWC Schaffhausen's prescribed tolerances
Case, Clasp, & Metal Bracelet
- Removal of strap or bracelet and complete dismantling of case
- Cleaning of the dismantled case, metal bracelet and clasp
- Replacement of all seals and synthetic glasses
- Reassembly of the case and testing of water-resistance (test 1)
- Securing movement in case followed by check of all functions
- Testing of water-resistance (test 2) and check of precision and power reserve lasting several days
- Assembly and functional/safety
-
The maintenance service includes checking the watch's functions and appearance, ensuring that it is water-resistant and runs accurately, as well as giving the exterior a thorough cleaning.
After a maintenance service you can be sure that your watch will show the correct time, that all its functions are working properly and that its water-resistance is at the level stated. Should our watchmakers identify any functional defects, a customer care representative will consult with the customer about an additional repair service.
IWC Schaffhausen’s maintenance service comes with a 12-month warranty on all replaced parts and work carried out as stated in the IWC service warranty.
-
Seals and mechanical components are subject to wear and tear and natural aging. We therefore recommend having the water-resistance checked by an IWC service centre and a maintenance service carried out approximately every two years. The intervals between individual services vary considerably depending on how the watch is used and the conditions under which it operates.
-
As stated in the IWC service warranty, IWC Schaffhausen grants a 12-month warranty on all work carried out and parts replaced in the scope of the maintenance service.
Complete Service
A complete service should to be carried out approximately every five years. This involves a full overhaul of the timepiece, which is a complex, largely manual task lasting several hours. A specialist completely dismantles the movement, meticulously checks every part and repairs or replaces it, as required.
-
01
Registration. Demagnetization02
Diagnosis
03
Dismantling of the case. Removal of the movement.04
Goldsmith work. Laser treatment to level out deep scratches.
05
Polishing of the watchcase and bracelet.06
Ultrasonic cleaning of case components and bracelet.07
Reassembly of the case with new seals to assure water resistance.08
Dismantling of the movement.09
Ultrasonic cleaning of all movement parts.10
Examination of movement parts. Replacement of worn out components.11
Reassembly of the movement from scratch. Lubrication.12
Adjustment of the movement, of complications and calendar functions.13
Complete reassembly of the timepiece.14
Testing of accuracy according to IWC standards.15
Testing of water resistance.16
Final quality control.
-
MOVEMENT
- Removal of the movement from the case
- Removal of hands, dial, date and day disc
- Demagnetisation of mechanical movements
- Preliminary cleaning and complete dismantling of the movement
- Repair or replacement of worn/ defective components
- Thorough cleansing of all parts of the dismantled movement
- Assembly of the movement with lubrication (oiling and greasing) of the critical points
- Testing/setting of escapement
- Replacement of battery (for quartz movements)
- Testing of all functions (basic movement and possibly additional mechanisms such as the chronograph, etc.)
- Adjustment of the movement to comply with IWC Schaffhausen's prescribed tolerances
- Positioning the dial and hands
Case, Clasp, & Metal Bracelet
- Removal of strap or bracelet and complete dismantling of the case
- Preliminary cleaning of the dismantled case, bracelet and clasp
- Laser welding, polishing and, where necessary, finishing of angles on the case, bracelet and clasp
- Main cleaning of the dismantled case, bracelet and clasp
- Replacement of all seals and the synthetic glasses
- Reassembly of the case and testing of water-resistance (test 1)
- Securing movement in case followed by check of all functions
- Testing of water-resistance (test 2) and check of precision and power reserve lasting several days
- Assembly and functional/safety check of wristband and clasp
-
Like any precision instrument, an IWC watch requires care and attention. A complete service involves a full overhaul of each timepiece. This complex, largely manual, task can last for several hours.
Experienced watchmakers completely dismantle the movement, thoroughly clean and examine each individual part. Worn out components are exchanged.
The watchmaker reassembles the watch from scratch, lubricates critical parts and points and examines it for accuracy. Experienced goldsmiths level deep scratches and remove signs of wear to the case and to metal bracelets by applying a specific grinding procedure. A complex process of final cleaning and refurbishing gives the case and bracelet a new sparkle.
Eventually, every watch will have passed a total of 18 steps in which all functions and visual aspects are reviewed and approved. After a complete service the customer can be certain that their watch is not only showing the correct time, but also that all its functions work properly and that its water-resistance is at the level stated.
IWC’s complete service comes with a 24-month warranty on all replaced parts and work carried out as stated in the IWC service warranty.
-
We recommend that your watch have a complete service approximately every five years.
The intervals between individual services vary considerably depending on how the watch is used and the conditions under which it operates.
-
As stated in the IWC service warranty, IWC Schaffhausen grants a 24-month warranty on all work carried out and parts replaced as part of the complete service.
RESTORATION SERVICE
The restoration of antique watches requires not only a wealth of experience, education and manual dexterity, but also an extraordinary knowledge of - and passion for – IWC’s historical timepieces and heritage. Our highly experienced watchmakers at IWC’s headquarters are trained to restore faulty parts to their original condition and conduct restoration services on an old or antique watch’s case, dial or movement.
Process
The process and duration of restoring an antique watch is very similar to that of a complete service and - depending on the watch model and its condition - may take up to several months.
Every restoration terminates with a strict check of the watch’s functions and performance in accordance with the original specifications. Depending on the model, the final stage consists of a meticulous quality control, which, among other things, tests the watch’s accuracy and power reserve over a period of several days.
guarantee
As stated in the IWC service guarantee, IWC Schaffhausen offers a 24-month warranty on all restoration work of old and antique watches including replaced parts. While modern-day standards of accuracy and water-resistance cannot always be applied to restored antique watches, historical watches from IWC Schaffhausen, nevertheless, are known and valued for their exemplary precision.
service scope
IWC maintains information of all watches ever produced for reference in its record books. Millions of components – some of them minuscule – are carefully organized and kept under optimal conditions in a collection that spans from current models all the way back to the Jones calibers of IWC’s early days.
Service prices
Price indications are merely indicative and subject to change at any time. All prices include VAT. Insured shipping is charged separately.