Have you noticed your watch running slow lately? Maybe it’s losing a few seconds every day, or it suddenly seems behind schedule. It can be frustrating—especially if you’ve invested in a luxury timepiece that’s supposed to keep perfect time. But don’t worry. A slow watch doesn’t always mean it’s damaged or faulty. Most of the time, it’s a sign that something small inside needs attention.
In this guide, we’ll explain in simple terms why your watch might be running slow, what causes it, and what you can do to fix it. You’ll also learn easy ways to keep your watch accurate and well-maintained for years to come.
Understand Why Your Watch Is Running Slow
It’s scientifically impossible for any wearable watch to stay 100% accurate over time. Even high-end mechanical watches and quartz watches can gain or lose a few seconds per day.
These small differences happen because watch movements are built with tiny, delicate parts—many made to tolerances finer than 1/100th of an inch, with exacting tolerances finer than one hundredth of an inch. Even miniscule variations and minuscule variations in manufacturing, alignment, and lubrication can affect accuracy.
We’re used to perfect accuracy from our phones, but watches are different because mechanical watches and quartz watches work differently in today’s increasingly digital environment. A few seconds of variation each day is normal, even for an accurate watch from top watch manufacturers, as even watches built to exacting tolerances can show slight differences due to these factors.
What Are the Causes of a Watch Running Slow?
When your watch starts losing time, there’s always a reason behind it. In many instances, watches running slowly are caused by common, fixable issues.
In the watch manufacturing community, experts know that even an accurate watch can slow down due to several common factors. Watches with a mechanical movement are particularly sensitive to these issues.
1. Magnetism
About 80% of watches that need servicing are magnetized in some way. This usually happens from simple daily habits. For example, placing your watch next to your smartphone at night, working long hours on a laptop, or resting your wrist near a speaker, magnetic closures, or magnetic bag clasp can expose it to magnetic fields.
Magnetism watch manufacturers have identified magnetism as a leading cause of inaccuracy in watches. Magnetism can affect watches to a greater or lesser extent, and even cases of a lesser extent are still significant for timekeeping accuracy.
When magnetized, your watch can start to run slow or sometimes even run fast. Many watch manufacturers add some anti-magnetic protection, such as using silicon balance springs, but it is not always enough. Mechanical watches and automatic watches are more sensitive to magnetism than quartz watches. If your watch starts losing several seconds per day, it might be magnetized.
2. Lack of Power Reserve
Automatic watches need regular movement to stay powered. They wind themselves when you wear them, but if you leave them unused for a few days, the power reserve runs out and the watch starts to slow down or stop completely. Without enough power stored in the mainspring, the watch may run slowly or stop altogether. This often happens when people take off their watch for the weekend or switch between different watches during the week.
Low power also affects features like the date, GMT hand, or chronograph functions. If the reserve runs out completely, the watch may stop. Leaving the watch still for days or wearing it loosely reduces winding efficiency. Wearing your automatic watch regularly is important to maintain its power reserve and ensure it keeps running.
Giving it a few manual winds or using a watch winder helps keep it running accurately. Manually winding the watch is also an effective way to ensure it has enough power when it is not being worn. Unlike quartz watches that use batteries, mechanical watches and automatic watches rely on consistent energy from motion to maintain accurate time and avoid running slow.
3. Aging Oils and Dried Lubrication
Inside every mechanical watch and automatic watch are tiny gears and parts that move together. These parts need special oils to reduce friction and keep the watch running smoothly. Lubrication makes a significant difference in the smooth operation and accuracy of the watch movement, as even small changes in lubrication can impact performance. Over time, these oils can dry out or become sticky, which makes the watch movement slower and less accurate.
This often happens with watches that haven’t been serviced for several years. For example, if you wear your watch daily at work, in hot weather, or while exercising, the constant movement and temperature changes can cause the oils to break down faster.
4. Shock or Impact
A sudden drop or hard bump can cause your watch to run slow. Inside every mechanical watch and automatic watch are very small and delicate parts, like the balance wheel, that can shift or get damaged when hit. An impact can also result in an impact altered internal alignment or even affect the spring’s key, which can cause timing issues. Even a small impact can affect how the movement works and change the timing in seconds per day.
Like if our watch hits a door frame while walking, falls off a desk, or gets bumped during sports or travel, it can affect its accuracy. Quartz watches are a bit stronger, but they can still be affected by impact. If your watch starts to run slow after being hit, it’s best to bring it to a watch technician. Proper care and handling help keep your accurate watch performing well every day. In the worst case, ignoring impact damage can lead to costly repairs or even permanent damage to your watch.
5. Environmental Factors
Changes in temperature, humidity, or pressure can affect how your watch runs. Mechanical watches and automatic watches have many metal parts that expand when it’s hot and contract when it’s cold, which can make your watch run slow or fast. Most watches are tested to perform best between 5°C and 35°C (41°F to 95°F). Outside this range, accuracy can change slightly.
For example, if you wear your watch in a hot car, under direct sunlight at the beach, or move from an air-conditioned room to humid outdoor air, the internal movement can be affected. Even swimming in cold water or hiking at high altitudes can cause timing variations of a few seconds per day.
6. Quartz Battery Issues
Quartz watches are powered by small batteries that send electric pulses to keep time accurately. When the battery gets weak, it can’t send a steady flow of power to the watch, so it starts to lose time and may eventually stop.. This is one of the most common reasons a quartz watch loses accuracy. Sometimes, even after installing a new battery, timing issues may persist, indicating that the watch may need further inspection by a professional.
Like if your quartz watch has been running for more than two or three years without a battery change, you might notice the second hand skipping or pausing.
Using features like backlights, alarms, or chronographs often can also drain the battery faster. If your watch starts losing a few seconds per day, it’s usually a sign that the battery needs to be replaced.
How to Fix a Watch Running Slow (DIY)
If your watch is running slow, there are simple steps you can try before taking it to a professional. These methods can help restore accuracy and keep your mechanical or quartz watch performing at its best.
1. Demagnetizing the Watch
Magnetism is one of the most common reasons a watch runs slow. You can use a small demagnetizer, available online or at watch shops, to safely remove magnetic fields that affect your timepiece.
To do this:
- Place your watch flat on the demagnetizer.
- Press and hold the power button for about 3–5 seconds.
- Slowly lift and move the watch away from the device while the button is still pressed.
- Release the button once the watch is at least 30 cm (about 1 foot) away.
- Check your watch after a few hours to see if the timing improves.
If the watch still runs slowly, it may need to be checked by a certified service center. Professional tools used by watch manufacturers can fully remove magnetism and restore your watch’s accurate timing.
2. Power Reserve Check
For an automatic watch, a weak power reserve is a common reason it starts to run slow. This happens when the watch hasn’t been worn enough to keep its internal spring fully wound.
To check and fix this:
- Unscrew or pull out the crown to the manual winding position
- Turn the crown slowly and smoothly about 30 to 40 times to give the mainspring a full charge.
- Gently push the crown back in once done.
- Wear the watch for at least 8 to 10 hours during the day to keep it charged, or place it on a watch winder when not in use.
- Observe the time over the next 24 hours to ensure it keeps accurate time.
3. Accuracy Testing
You can easily check how accurate your watch is by using a timing machine or a smartphone app that measures rate deviation in seconds per day. One popular app is WatchTracker (available for iOS), which records daily time differences and helps you see if your watch is running fast or slow.
Another option is Twistiti Watch Accuracy Meter or WatchCheck for Android, both designed for mechanical watches and automatic watches.
To do this:
- Sync your watch with your phone’s exact time.
- Record the time difference each day at the same hour.
- After a few days, calculate how many seconds it gains or loses per day.
- By tracking watch gains and daily variations, you can identify patterns in accuracy and find the optimal position for your watch to minimize timing errors.
- Compare the results with official standards. Watches that are chronometers must pass strict accuracy tests set by the Swiss Chronometer Testing Center (COSC), which allows a deviation of only -4 to +6 seconds per day.
4. Movement Regulation (Only if Trained)
Mechanical watches can sometimes be regulated to fix timing issues. Watches with a simple movement are generally easier to regulate, as their straightforward design allows for more accessible adjustments.
This involves adjusting the small screws or levers on the balance wheel that control the rate of the movement. However, this step is delicate and best left to trained professionals, as fine-tuning the movement should be performed by a trained watchmaker to ensure accuracy and avoid damage. If your automatic watch still runs slow after winding and testing, visit an authorized technician for precise regulation.
5. Battery Replacement
If you have a quartz watch that’s running slow, the battery might be weak. Signs include the second hand jumping or pausing between ticks. Have the battery replaced by a trusted service center to avoid damaging the circuit. A fresh battery usually restores proper timing in quartz watches.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your watch is still running slow after you’ve tried basic fixes, it’s best to take it to a certified watch repair center. Delaying repairs can increase the cost and overall cost of service, as minor issues may become more serious and expensive to fix over time.
A trained watchmaker can open the case safely, check for dirt, moisture, or worn parts, and test the movement using professional tools. They can also spot hidden problems that aren’t visible from the outside, such as weak lubricants or loose components that affect timekeeping.
Getting expert help is important to keep your watch accurate and long-lasting. Professionals from the watch manufacturing community know how to handle both mechanical and quartz watches properly.
Final Thoughts
If your watch is running slow, don’t worry. It’s a common issue that can often be fixed with simple care or a quick visit to a service center. Watches are built with incredible precision, but even the best ones need regular attention to stay accurate. Taking time to understand how your watch works helps you notice small changes before they become bigger problems.
Keep your watch clean, avoid magnets and extreme temperatures, and have it serviced every few years by a trusted expert. These simple habits can keep your timepiece performing well and looking great. When you take care of your watch, it rewards you with years of reliable timekeeping and a lasting connection to fine craftsmanship.
FAQs About Troubleshooting a Watch Running Slow
1. Why is my watch running slow?
Your watch may run slow due to magnetism, low power reserve, dried lubricants, impacts, environmental changes, or weak quartz batteries. Even a few seconds of delay per day is normal. Identifying the cause early helps prevent long-term damage and costly repairs.
2. Can magnetism cause a mechanical watch to run slow?
Yes, magnetism can disrupt the balance spring, causing slow or erratic timekeeping. Common sources include smartphones, laptops, and magnetic clasps. Mechanical watches are more sensitive than quartz models. A demagnetizer can safely restore accuracy at home or by a watchmaker.
3. How does a low power reserve affect automatic watches?
Automatic watches rely on wrist movement to wind the mainspring. If not worn for a few days, the power reserve may drop, slowing the watch or stopping it. Manual winding or using a watch winder ensures the movement remains fully charged and accurate.
4. Can old or dried lubricants make a watch run slow?
Yes, mechanical movements need fine oils for friction reduction. Over time, these lubricants dry out or thicken, making the gears work harder and slowing the watch. Regular servicing, typically every 3–5 years, replenishes lubrication and preserves accuracy and movement health.
5. Does a watch slow down after a shock or impact?
Yes, impacts can misalign tiny parts like the balance wheel, hairspring, or rotor. Even a minor bump can alter the timing by seconds per day. If your watch runs slow after a fall or hit, a professional inspection is strongly recommended.
6. Can environmental factors make my watch inaccurate?
Yes, sudden temperature shifts, humidity, or pressure changes can expand or contract metal components, affecting timekeeping. For example, moving from an air-conditioned room to a hot beach can cause condensation or minor delays. Keep watches away from extreme heat, cold, or steam rooms.
