If you have ever used a wrist or wall clock, then at least once you’ll definitely faced such a problem as stopped watch. This action does not cause anything surprising if the winding of the watch initially has a certain period of work. When they are on batteries, it can also be assumed that their charge has simply ended. But if the watch is working properly, there is enough charge and the batteries are intact, one question arises – why did it stop? Should this be equated with something magical or is it just a coincidence?

Stopped watch superstition

Belief #1 of Stopped watch: Many esoteric and parapsychologists believed that a broken watch is a symbol of bad luck and misfortune.

Belief #2 of Stopped watch: It is believed that a master watchmaker who made a watch with his hands, put in a watch a piece of his soul and when the watch is broken, people believe that his soul gets broken.

Belief #3 of Stopped watch: In olden days, it was believed that if you don’t fix a stopped clock in a room, someone will die due to it, and you’ll have bad luck. This superstition was also shown in couple of movies as well.

Belief #4 of Stopped watch: It was also believed that if a clock that hasn’t been chiming for quite sometime suddenly chimes, then a death in the family will happen soon. Okay, now this was scary!

Belief #5 of Stopped watch: As mentioned previously, keeping a stopped clock at your home for a long period of time is considered to be inauspicious. And that’s why it was imperative to get it fixed at the earliest. These myths and beliefs on stopped clocks are still somethings that people still believe in these days.

4 Reasons Why Your Watch Stopped Working

You finally took the plunge and purchased that designer watch you’ve had your eye on for months, and you wake up one morning to see it has stopped working! In a panic you start turning knobs, tapping on the dial, wondering what could have gone wrong. When you bought the watch last year, the sales clerk assured you it would last forever. What do you do now?

Just like any other mechanical, battery-operated machine, watches, too, are subject to performance issues and can stop working without warning. Our service repair technicians at Time After Time have created a handy guide to help you determine when it’s time to service your watch after it’s stopped working.

READ MORE: 10 Most Expensive iPhones In The World

Battery Needs Replacement

The most common reason a watch will stop working or need service is due to the battery. A good rule of thumb when it comes to watch batteries is to replace them every two years. A quartz watch, however, can last three years or longer because they do not have second hands. Have your watch serviced and battery replaced by a professional; doing it yourself runs the risk of damaging the intricacies inside the watch by accident.

Water Damage

If your watch is not water-resistant and it took a nice dive in the pool or even the shower, it might have water damage. Water can find itself into a watch through the dial window attached to the case, its case back, or the crown/pushers. Even a little rain can cause a watch to stop working or work improperly. Your best bet is to bring the watch in for service so a certified technician can dry it out.

Manufacturing Issue

It is very possible you may just have purchased a “bad watch.” If you have ever seen the inside of a watch, you will find a million tiny gears and delicate pieces that all work together to make the watch tick. If just one part is setup incorrectly, the watch will not last. Contact the manufacturer, and the watch will be up and running in no time.

Physical Damage

One of the far more obvious reasons your watch stopped working is physical damage. If you’ve dropped the watch more times than you can remember, then something inside may have become loose. A service technician can either quickly fix this, or send it to the manufacturer if there is an excessive amount of damage.

These are just a few common reasons why your watch stopped working, although there are many more. If you are experiencing any of the above issues, please stop by Time After Time, where one of our certified watch technicians will diagnose and repair your timepiece. Our repair services are all done on-site with free estimates, and all work is 100% guaranteed. Give us a call today at 888-552-5997 to find the location closest to you.

Common Watch Problems and How to Fix Them

Watch problems and issues might be more common than you think. Here are some common issues and tips on how to fix a watch.

Before you begin, it’s important to understand that fixes done by anyone other than a watch-repair professional can affect the worth of your watch. The resale value of a luxury watch is highest when you have service records and its best that those services are performed by the manufacturer. But if that’s not a concern – roll up your sleeves and try to learn how to repair a watch!

How to Open a Case

It all starts with opening up your watch. A few exceptions aside, there are four kinds of watch cases you will encounter when you’re learning how to fix a wrist watch.

1. Snap-Back: To open a snap-back case use a penknife or similar thin, flat blade to pry open the case at the raised lip with a twist of the blade.

2. Screw-Back: You’ll want to pick up a screw-back removal tool for this type. Resembling a pair of pincers, the tool slips into slots on the perimeter of the case. Twist counterclockwise to open, finishing with your fingers after the tool has loosened the cover.

3. Case with Screws: These cases generally have four Phillips-head screws that can be removed with a small screwdriver.

4. Swatch-Style Case: These ports can be twisted open using a coin. You don’t actually remove the cover of the sealed case but do get access to the battery.

My Watch Has Stopped Ticking

Wondering how to fix a watch that stopped ticking? Or your automatic watch stopped working? Hint, it’s probably the battery. This may sound like a simple watch fix, but it’s something you might overlook. Check the battery. Many watch batteries have lives of about two years. That number can go up to three years or more with a quartz watch that’s designed to run longer. But chances are if your watch has stopped, you need to replace the battery.

The case removed, you can see what’s holding the battery in place. With a spring clip or loose installation, you have easy access. Many batteries are held in place with a screw and cover that will require a small screwdriver. It’s best to use non-conductive watch tools to avoid damaging your watch with an electric shock. The same is true for the tweezers you’ll want to use for removing the battery. Plastic is best to avoid shock. Before removing the battery check the position of the writing on the back. You want to set the replacement battery in the same manner.

The information on your old battery will tell you what replacement you’ll need. Even the most common watch battery will eventually give out. You can get a new one at a jewelry store, an electronics store, drugstore or online. Use the same plastic tools to set the new battery in place and your watch should spring back to life. If not, you may have inserted the battery upside down or the connection is broken. In the latter case, you may have to take it to a watch-repair shop. If it’s an extra pricey watch, you might want to get some help from the professionals too.

The Second Hand is Skipping

Did your automatic watch movement stop working? Or is it skipping? This is a sign that your battery is near the end of its life. It’s also a warning to address the issue as soon as possible. An ailing battery could leak acid into your watch and do damage.

If the second hand is locked in a back-and-forth movement in one spot, there’s likely an issue with the movement that’s beyond a simple home repair.

My Watch is Running Fast (or Slow)

Do nothing. This isn’t necessarily a watch problem. It’s common for watches to gain or lose a little time every day. While the changes are tiny and incremental, over time it can make it seem like you have a big problem. But unless you are losing more than a few seconds each day, there is likely no issue.

The Buttons Won’t Bounce

If buttons on your watch don’t pop out after they’re pushed in, the most likely culprit is dust. Even though your watch case is sealed, dirt can accumulate over time and get lodged in the springs that make the buttons pop out. Professionals use ultrasonic cleaners to safely remove the dirt. But you can use plastic tweezers and a tiny piece of absorbent material to remove the dirt. If you can’t easily access the tube that contains the spring, take it to a professional. Do not touch the spring with your fingers as you could introduce oils that will make the problem worse.

Smartwatch Solutions

I’m Always Recharging

Much like your mobile phone and tablet, if your watch isn’t holding a charge for long you should look at what’s draining the battery. Remove apps you don’t need. Turn off features you aren’t using and dim your screen’s brightness.

Voice Command Problems: If your smartwatch is having trouble recognizing voice commands, it could be background noise. Make sure your voice isn’t competing with other sounds. Some trial and error with tone and pacing will also be needed to make your voice commands instantly recognizable.

Stopped watch FAQ

What does a stopped watch mean?

noun. stop·​watch ˈstäp-ˌwäch. : a watch with a hand or a digital display that can be started and stopped at will for exact timing (as of a race).

Should you wear a stopped watch?

It’s not bad to let your automatic watch stop. Automatic watches are perfectly safe when stopped – that is to say that the movement doesn’t run anymore because the mainspring is fully unwound. Just wind again the next time you want to wear it, and you’re good to go.

Do watches stop when someone dies?

Someone has died, and stopping the clocks in the house of the deceased, silencing them, is an old tradition, similar to closing the blinds or curtains and covering the mirrors. The clock would be set going again after the funeral. Some people believe stopping the clock was to mark the exact time the loved one had died.