Quartz running slow
Most often a battery on its way out — voltage drops before it dies completely and the watch starts losing time. Sometimes a magnetised or worn movement. Sometimes moisture. A fresh cell answers the question quickly and cheaply, which is where we usually start.
Automatic running slow or fast
A mechanical watch that has drifted usually wants servicing — the lubricants have dried and the movement is not running freely. It can also be magnetised, which is common and much easier to fix than people expect. Phones, laptops, speakers and handbag clasps all do it.
Worn on the wrist, or in a drawer?
An automatic needs wearing or winding to keep time. If yours sits in a drawer for a week and then runs badly for a day, that is normal rather than a fault. Worth mentioning when you bring it in, because it changes what we are looking for.
Bring it in
We open it, look at the movement and the seals, and tell you what we find before anything is agreed. Sometimes it is a ten-minute answer and sometimes it is a conversation.
Questions we get asked
Why is my quartz watch losing time?
Most often a battery on the way out. A fresh cell usually answers it straight away.
What does magnetised mean?
Contact with a magnet — a phone, a speaker, a bag clasp — can make a movement run fast or erratically. It is common and fixable.
My automatic loses time when I do not wear it — is that a fault?
Usually not. An automatic needs wearing or winding to keep running.
Will you tell me before doing any work?
Always. We open it, look, and tell you what we find first.
Not sure we can fix it?
Send a couple of details and we will call you back. Or just walk in — it is quicker, and we can actually look at the piece.
Drop it off, shop the mall, wear it tonight
We are inside Orland Square Mall in Orland Park. Walk in during mall hours, no appointment. Most repairs are finished the same day and a good number while you wait.
Where we are
Julio's Jewelry, 800 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462 — inside Orland Square Mall. Mon–Thu 10am–8pm · Fri–Sat 10am–9pm · Sun 11am–6pm. We are also at North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 W Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546.