Now and then a customer will say something like "This watch runs fine, it just needs Y," Y being anything from a mainspring, to a crystal, to a hand, to a time adjustment, a stem adjustment, or anything else. Watchmakers sometimes call this "just work," as in "just do this," and watchmakers typically don't do it.
There's good reason for this. For one thing, as soon as a watchmaker touches the watch they will be responsible for anything that is already wrong. The owner may think it "just" needs a jewel, or a hand, but what is really wrong? The watchmaker will likely end up doing the whole service anyway, but for free. The watchmaker can not stand behind the work if the entire service has not been done so as to make sure the entire watch is entirely in good condition.
Another thing is that a watch may "run fine," but that's in the same way a car may "run fine" if it's oil is never changed. Yes, it will run fine. Until it doesn't.
Over at chadthewatchguy.com there's a nice set of photos showing just one of the reasons an old watch should get complete service at least once before beginning a new life as a family heirloom, and why any watch in regular use needs regular service. It's what happens when slight damage, too slight to directly impact time keeping, gets started. Debris, from anything, gets into pivots, stuck in the oil, and acts as an abrasive. In pretty short order, a part is ruined. Ruining a part on an antique is a real shame. It's one less spare part that exists in the world.
Check in out here:
http://www.chadthewatchguy.com/2011/06/15/our-new-section-ask-the-master-watchmaker/
When you hear someone say that a watch that hasn't been cleaned in decades "runs fine", or you're browsing eBay for old watches that "run", think of those pivots.
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