The Top 5 Common Watch Repairs

There are a lot of different types of watches on the market and they all require different care in order to keep them running properly. It’s important to know what watch repair Albuquerque nm can come up over time in order to get the watch running as best as possible, sometimes they just need some minor adjustments while other times you may need to get it completely replaced or fixed. Here are the top 5 common watch repairs.

Broken Crown

The crown is a vital part of any automatic watch: it’s what windes and sets (advances) your movement. If it breaks off, there’s not much you can do about it; you’ll need to replace the entire mechanism. It may be possible to find one online or at local Albuquerque jewelers that fits your case, but if not, you’ll have to search for an entire new watch case.

Scratched Crystal

The crystal of a wristwatch is usually made from glass, which can be easily scratched by everyday actions. While minor scratches to a watch crystal are harmless, they’re not aesthetically pleasing and require professional attention. A jeweler or watch repair Albuquerque nm person can fix most minor scuffs and scratches with relative ease. It should cost around $40-50 to have your crystal polished professionally.

Malfunctioning Watch

If your automatic or mechanical watch isn’t running correctly, check its movement. Is it bent out of shape? Do you hear weird sounds when you shake it? There could be a problem with any one of a number of parts, including: mainspring, hairspring and pallet fork. The easiest way to fix these is simply to replace them. If your timepiece is high-end, taking it to an expert may be your best bet.

Bracelet Issues

The bracelet is an essential component of any wristwatch, but sometimes even it can have problems. Watch bracelets are meant to be adjusted for a perfect fit on any wearer, but when too much wear and tear occurs over time, your bracelet may need to be replaced. This is especially true if you’re using metal bracelets.

The more they’re worn, they more likely they are to break or develop other issues that make them difficult or impossible to repair. You should also consider replacing your bracelet if you notice signs of rust or corrosion as they could indicate that water has gotten into your watch and damaged its inner workings.

Drowned Watch

If your watch is submerged in water, it’s vital to get it cleaned and dried as soon as possible. First off, rinse any dirt or sand off of it. Get a soft cloth or paper towel and soak up as much water out of its case as you can. Then let it sit on a soft towel to air dry. If possible, place it somewhere warm but not in direct sunlight and use a fan to help it along.

If you encounter any of these problems with your watch, please take it to your local jeweler. Please don’t try to fix it on your own as you risk damaging your watch.

Common Watch Repairs and How to Fix Them

Every watch owner has experienced it at one point or another: their watch has stopped working. Maybe the battery died, maybe you accidentally bumped it and something got bent out of place, or maybe you dropped it in water and now it’s ruined – whatever the problem is, knowing how to fix it can save you both time and money! Here are the common watch problems and how to fix them.

The Band is Loose

Take it to a watch shop or local Albuquerque jewelers specialized in watch repair Albuquerque nm. They should be able to get it fixed for minimal cost. If not, it might be time for a new watch! (Don’t worry; there are plenty of affordable options out there.) 

The Chain Keeps Unscrewing

Many people complain that their watch chain keeps unscrewing, requiring them to spend extra time on both ends of their day to fix it. It’s hard not only because you have to stop what you’re doing but also because if your chain gets too loose, you risk losing your watch entirely! Here are a few quick fixes: Remove links from chain, or tighten with a small screwdriver.

Stopped Working

This is probably one of the most common problems with watches. A watch that stops working is a watch that doesn’t do what it’s meant to, so in a way, it’s not doing its job—which makes sense why you wouldn’t want to wear a broken watch. If your watch isn’t keeping good time or showing signs of a breakdown (like slipping hands), take it in for repair or replacement as soon as possible.

Dead Battery 

The most common reason for a watch battery dying is that it’s not being worn. If you don’t wear your watch often, expect the battery to die within a year. However, if you do wear your watch regularly, it should last at least two years before needing a new battery. If your watch dies quickly despite regular use, check out our guide on replacing batteries for more information.

Dented case

Whether you’ve dropped your watch or just left it in your pocket with your keys, it can get scratched up. Luckily, a scratch isn’t usually noticeable unless you are specifically looking for it. More often than not, a scratch is superficial damage that only affects appearance. If you’re good with tools, then you may be able to fix it yourself. However, if not you will need professional help. Take it to a jeweler who offers jewelry repair Albuquerque, including watch repair.

Common Causes of Jewelry Damage

When an item of jewelry gets damaged, it can be very frustrating and disappointing, especially if it’s been in the family for years or was expensive. While some types of damage are inevitable over time and with wear, there are plenty of ways to keep your jewelry in tip-top shape and prevent the most common causes of jewelry damage from occurring in the first place. Here are six common causes of jewelry damage, as suggested by local Albuquerque jewelers:-

Rubbing or Dropping With Pressure

Natural gems, such as diamonds and rubies, are susceptible to scuffing and cracking when they are rubbed or dropped with pressure. Avoid dropping or bumping jewelry with these gemstones in them because it can cause serious damage. Keep gems set in pendants away from rough surfaces that could scratch them, and avoid dropping earrings or necklaces down sink drains. When a valuable piece of jewelry is accidentally damaged, check with a professional jeweler about jewelry repair Albuquerque to prevent further damage that may be irreversible.

Exposure to Chemicals

Over time, jewelry can become damaged from exposure to chemicals. If you wear your wedding ring every day and go through a lot of household cleaners, for example, it may start to get a blackish tint. This is actually tarnishing—the discoloration happens when chemicals or moisture react with metal in your jewelry.

Showering With Your Jewelry On

Water can damage jewelry in many ways. It can discolor a ring by causing it to lose its luster; it can leave behind hard-to-remove residue on bracelets and necklaces, which will mar their surface; and as almost every jeweler has witnessed at least once in his or her career—it can cause diamonds to pop out of prongs or settings (due to sudden temperature changes or pressure) and land on your shower floor with a sickening plink.

Heat from Hair Dryers

It’s not unusual for people to place a small amount of jewelry, such as earrings or rings, on top of their hair dryer when getting ready in the morning. However, placing anything next to a hair dryer can result in high heat damage and discoloration. Heat causes metal to expand and contract very quickly.

As you see jewelry can be damaged in different ways without your knowledge. To avoid the damages, make sure you store the jewelry in separate boxes and clean them with utmost care. Be it jewelry or watch repair Albuquerque nm, please don’t try to fix on your own as you risk damaging the piece permanently. Take it to the nearby jewelry shop and get it fixed. 

Common Jewelry Repairs and Solutions

Jewelry, whether it’s diamond jewelry or something else, can last a lifetime if properly cared for. But inevitably, no matter how carefully you treat your precious jewelry, it will encounter some damage at some point in its life, requiring the services of local Albuquerque jewelers who can restore your prized possessions back to their original glory. Below are the most common jewelry repair Albuquerque and how to go about fixing them yourself.

The Diamond Ring is Scratched

It’s horrible when your diamond ring has a scratch or three on it. It makes you feel like you need to wear gloves whenever you’re doing any kind of workaround your house or in other physical activity that might expose your ring to rough surfaces. But fear not! There are a variety of diamond polishing products out there that can effectively restore your cut gemstones to their former glory!

The Chain Links are Loose

The most common problem with chain jewelry is that its links become loose over time. If your pendant necklace or chain bracelet becomes a little more bouncy as you wear it, you may need to tighten its chain. Many jewelers charge $5–$10 per repair!

Broken Engagement Ring

If you find yourself with a broken ring, don’t worry—it happens to everyone. You may have accidentally hit your jewelry or put it through some rigorous activity (like hitting golf balls or playing basketball), or perhaps you dropped it on hard tile. Take your ring to the local jewelry shop and you can get it fixed in no time.

Missing Gemstone

One of the most common complaints we hear is that a gemstone in their jewelry has fallen out. The first thing to do is determine if it fell out in your home or outside. If you think it was inside your home, then odds are good that you can simply look around and find it. However, if you believe your gemstone fell out while you were wearing your jewelry, take it to the jeweler. A jeweler can replace the stone. 

Ring Resizing

You’re buying a present for your spouse, but you want to make sure it fits perfectly. Or you recently bought a piece of jewelry—now what? It’s possible that your ring or bracelet is either too big or too small for its intended wearer. Lucky for you, these problems are pretty easy to fix. An experienced jeweler can help resize your jewelry.

Never try to handle jewelry repair Albuquerque on your own. Take your jewelry to the nearby jewelry shop and get it fixed.