What Happens During a Maintenance Visit?
A close-up view of my professional clock repair tools neatly arranged on my workbench, including precision screwdrivers, oilers, and magnifying equipment, used during routine maintenance at Liberty Clock Repair.
Blog Title:
What Happens During a Maintenance Visit?
Series: Time Well Spent – Caring for Your Clocks & Watches
By John Haines, Liberty Clock Repair
Bringing your clock or watch in for service can feel a bit like dropping off a beloved pet at the vet. You want to know:
“What exactly are you going to do with it?”
At Liberty Clock Repair, I treat every timepiece with the same care and attention I’d give to my own family heirlooms. Whether it’s a 150-year-old wall clock or a mechanical wristwatch you wear every day, my goal is simple: keep it running accurately, beautifully, and for as long as possible.
🧰 Step-by-Step: My Maintenance Process
1. Initial Inspection & Functional Check
When your clock or watch arrives, I start with a detailed visual and functional inspection. I:
Note wear and tear on the case and dial
Test winding mechanisms, chimes, or automatic movements
Look for obvious signs of wear, gumming, or missing parts
Every piece gets a job card to track service, findings, and future maintenance notes.
2. Careful Disassembly
Timepieces are intricate machines. I disassemble the movement carefully, documenting and photographing as needed. Each part — from gears and wheels to bushings and screws — is checked for wear, dirt, or corrosion.
I use specialized tools like:
Pegwood for precision cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaners for deep, gentle washing
Loupes and magnification lamps for detail work
Oilers and synthetic oils designed for horology
3. Cleaning & Lubrication
Once disassembled, all components go through a deep cleaning process. Old oil, dust, and grime are removed using horological cleaning solutions in my ultrasonic cleaner.
After drying and inspection, I reassemble the movement and apply just the right amount of lubrication to pivots, gear teeth, and escapements — never too much, never too little.
4. Testing & Regulation
After reassembly, I:
Bench test clocks or watches for several days
Listen for smooth tick-tock rhythm
Adjust for beat, escapement timing, or pendulum swing
Use timing machines to regulate accuracy for watches
If something’s off, I make fine adjustments until the performance meets my standards.
🧤 Gentle Handling & Expert Eyes
Your timepiece never leaves my workshop — and it never gets rushed. I’ve repaired and serviced everything from antique Viennese regulators to modern automatic watches. My background as a certified service center and my years of experience give me a deep understanding of how these machines work — and how to preserve them.
I use soft cloths, padded trays, and case protectors at every stage. And I always handle every piece with respect and precision.
🕰️ You're Not Just Getting a Cleaning — You're Getting Peace of Mind
When your timepiece leaves Liberty Clock Repair, you can be confident it’s been serviced thoroughly, safely, and correctly. I stand behind my work because I know what goes into it.
📫 Ready for a maintenance visit?
Email me at second.wind.japan@gmail.com or visit www.LibertyClockRepair.com to schedule your service.
Next in the series:
Can I Oil My Clock or Watch Myself? (And Why You Probably Shouldn’t)
