Top Ten Reasons Your Watch Keeps Losing Time
Last updated on March 2025 by Huxley Mann.
Ah, the frustration of a watch that keeps losing time. Even the most reliable timepieces can fall prey to a few pesky issues that throw their precision off track. But before you panic, let’s take a look at the common causes behind this ticking trouble. Spoiler alert: It’s probably not as dire as you think!
What does my watch keep losing time?
Let’s dive into the top ten reasons why your watch may be losing time:
If your watch keeps losing time, one (or more) of these issues could be the cause. Read on to explore in more depth.
1. Your Watch Needs a Service
We all need a little TLC now and then, and your wristwatch is no exception! Dust, dirt, and even the most minor debris can sneak into your watch's inner workings, clogging up the gears and disrupting the delicate movement that keeps your watch ticking. Wear and tear from everyday use, environmental exposure, and even just the passage of time itself can cause the fragile components of your watch to become misaligned or worn, leading to that frustrating loss of time. If you notice your watch consistently loses time, it might just be begging for a service to clear out any buildup.
When was the last time you gave your wristwatch some well-deserved attention? At AMJ Watch Repair, we recommend servicing your watch every 2-3 years.
💡 More Watch Care Tips: Discover the telltale signs that your watch might be due for a service!
2. You’ve Knocked or Damaged Your Watch
Even a tiny jolt can wreak havoc on the delicate inner components of your watch. If you've recently dropped or knocked your wristwatch, that could very well be the culprit behind your timekeeping issues. A professional watchmaker can assess the damage and carry out any relevant repairs—whether it’s replacing a damaged part, cleaning out the movement or regulating the timekeeping mechanism.
3. Winding Issues
You might not realise it, but winding your watch incorrectly can lead to serious timekeeping issues. One crucial pitfall to avoid is overwinding. With a manual-winding watch, turning the crown too far after it’s fully wound can put excessive tension on the mainspring. This added strain can lead to wear, stress, or even breakage, potentially throwing off accuracy or damaging the movement entirely.
So, how do you know when to stop? As you wind, you’ll feel increasing resistance. When the crown starts to feel tight and stops turning easily, that’s your signal to stop. For most manual watches, 20 to 30 full turns are usually enough from a fully unwound state.
Another crucial common mistake is winding your watch while it's still on your wrist. While this might seem like a convenient approach, it can put uneven pressure on the winding stem. Twisting or pulling the watch at an angle increases the risk of damaging delicate internal components like the stem, crown, or gears.
4. Magnetism – Your Watch’s Silent Nemesis
You’d be amazed at how many everyday gadgets are magnetised. Phones, speakers, coffee machines, and even jewellery can emit magnetic fields that interfere with your watch’s accuracy. Since many watch components—like the balance wheel and hairspring—are made of metal, exposure to magnets can cause them to become magnetised, stick together, or fall out of alignment.
💡 Watch Care Tip: Learn how to tell if your quartz watch has become magnetised.
5. Exposure to Water or Moisture
Water and watches have a complicated relationship. While most timepieces can handle the odd splash, they’re not water-ready for a swim unless built explicitly for it. Extended exposure to water can wreak havoc—think rust, corrosion, and internal movement damage that leads to all sorts of timekeeping chaos. You might even hear strange sounds or feel grinding when winding. If your watch has taken an unexpected dip, don’t wait for it to “dry out”—get it checked before a small splash turns into a hefty repair bill.
💡 More Watch Care Tips: How to spot the early signs of water damage in your watch.
Example of a watch's movement that has been exposed to moisture.
6. Extreme Temperature Changes
Temperature extremes, from hot car dashboards to freezing mornings, can affect the accuracy of a mechanical watch. Components like the balance wheel, hairspring, and escapement are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, expanding in heat and contracting in the cold, which can cause the watch to run too fast or too slow. Additionally, extreme temperatures can impact the lubricants inside, thickening oils in the cold or thinning them in the heat, leading to increased friction and wear. Over time, this can compromise accuracy and even damage internal parts.
7. Low Battery (for Quartz Watches)
It sounds too good to be true, but nine times out of ten, when a quartz watch starts losing time, a simple battery replacement is all it takes to fix the issue.
💡 More Watch Care Tips: Learn how to spot the warning signs that your watch battery needs replacing.
8. Faulty Hands or Dial Components
Sometimes, the issue isn't with the movement itself but with the hands or dial. If the hands are loose, misaligned, or rubbing against the dial, this can cause friction and interfere with the movement. A watchmaker will need to realign the hands or replace any damaged parts to get your timepiece back on track.
9. Excessive Wear or Ageing of the Movement
Over time, even the best mechanical watches can start to lose time due to natural ageing. As a watch accumulates years of wear, the movement's components, such as the escapement, springs, and gears, may experience gradual wear and tear. Even slight friction or wear on these tiny components can cause a loss of accuracy. Regular maintenance and servicing can help keep your watch running smoothly, but with age, even the most well-maintained timepieces may eventually need repairs or the replacement of specific components.
10. Time-Setting Mistakes That Can Harm Your Watch
It seems too simple, but setting the time incorrectly, especially on mechanical watches, can lead to timing issues. For instance, turning the crown in the wrong direction or adjusting the time too far can cause misalignment of the movement’s internal components. Always set the time in a clockwise direction, and avoid advancing it too far, especially if your watch has a date function, as this can damage the movement or date-change mechanism.
Get Your Watch Back on Track with AMJ Watch Repair
If your wristwatch has been losing time, don't stress—it’s likely one of the common issues we’ve covered above. Whether your watch needs a service, demagnetisation, or just a fresh battery, most timekeeping issues can be quickly resolved by an experienced watchmaker. With the right expertise, your watch will be back on track in no time.
